Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Natasha Wells. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Natasha, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
I remember being a kid during my college days all the way up to graduate school that I was in rooms that did not have a lot of people that looked like me. It never even occurred to me back then because I was so focused on absorbing every lesson that my teachers and professors imparted in me. Being in the classical arts as a young black woman and learning to be a professional opera singer, consistency, perseverance and individuality were the catalyst for my success. I allowed my work to speak for itself and was not afraid to share my uniqueness for fear of being different. And over time, I have realized that my experiences and perspectives that I bring to the table has made me proud of who I am today and who I am continually evolving to be in the future.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a minister of music to my core! Music is a huge part of my life and always has been since I was a little girl singing in my grandfather’s church and humming church music and hymns. I am the oldest of three siblings and was originally born in Houston, Texas and have lived in Dallas pretty much my entire life. Music came naturally for me but it wasn’t until middle school at W.E. Greiner where my choir teacher saw a gift in my voice and nurtured my talent to go on and pursue a professional career in music. I ended up auditioning for Booker T. Washington Performing Arts High School and got accepted! Those four years in high school were some of the best years of my life, it is there where I learned what it took to not just be a singer but to be a performing artist! I learned many different languages & genres of music – classical, opera, and jazz and was a part of the jazz ensemble which was a wonderful experience. In my later years, I went ahead and pursued my Bachelor’s degree from Dallas Baptist University and my Master’s in Music and a Master of Liberal Arts of Humanities from Southern Methodist University. I always worked while I was in school and later became a concierge supporting C-level executives and made a career doing that for over 25 years! My artistry is always expanding and I love to keep myself open to new & creative opportunities. Right now, I have been focusing on being the best version of myself physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally while also pursuing maybe passions in life! My next goal is to acquire my doctorate degree in music with a focus on vocal performance or music therapy. I do have an upcoming music endeavor with a good friend of mine, Durant Searcy as we both were collaborators on our last project which was an R&B single, “No Pressure” – we will be celebrating the 5th year anniversary on next month, summer 2024 which I am super excited about!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I think the three qualities that were most important to my journey were passion, curiosity, and ambition. I would tell them to be open minded to all possibilities and to not “pigeonhole” themselves to be one dimensional. If there is one thing that I’ve learned in my professional career and that is to be agile, build relationships, and embrace being a lifelong learner. There is always room to grow and open yourself up to new ideas. It’s when you step outside of your norm that you develop and grow skills for life.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
When I feel overwhelmed, I like to do ANY self-care activity! Now that may look different than everyone else, but I love anything spa related from a mani/pedi, to a massage or even a facial – “relaxation’ is my middle name. I am also a praise and worshiper so listening to gospel music along with meditating and reading the bible particularly scriptures that relate to any of my trials. My favorite scripture when I am overwhelmed is from Timothy 1:7, “For God hath not given us a spirit of fear but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind”.
Contact Info:
- Website: natmezzo.wixsite.com/mysite
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/eatfoodwithmyeyes
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/mezzodiva88
- Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/natasha-wells-mla-mm-16212331
Image Credits
Morgana Wilburn (for professional headshots in red and purple)
