We recently had the chance to connect with Destiny Sadé and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Destiny, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
Hi! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my story with VoyageATL again! I believe that my journey causes for a little of both. There are things in life that need more concrete plans and then there are experiences that are yet to be discovered by wandering. Going after the things that you want and standing firm in is only part of the task. However, the most beautiful and rewarding things are those that God grants us unexpectedly.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Of course! My name is Destiny Sadé and I am a singer, music educator, actress and advocate for the Performing Arts from Atlanta, Georgia. However, so much has changed since we last spoke– my stage name is Destiny Sadé, but I am known now to my family as Destiny McDaniel as I have recently tied the knot in June of this year with my wonderful husband Jamal!
I have been performing since the age of 3 and have been invested in the world of music as a live performer and advocate for the arts. My platform is making excellent music education accessible for all.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
A belief that has changed since childhood is that we have to be “[1 career] when we grow up”. I lean heavily on First Lady Michelle Obama’s quote from *Becoming* [italicized please] when she wrote:
“Now I think it’s one of the most useless questions an adult can ask a child—What do you want to be when you grow up? As if growing up is finite. As if at some point you become something and that’s the end.”
This quote followed me because, yes I am a music educator, but I’m also hold a business consultant, performer, vocal coach, choir director, daughter, sister, friend, wife and most importantly, Child of God.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I graduated from Alabama A&M University in December 2019 with a degree in Music Business. My choir director and mentor at the time, Dr. Horace Carney seemed to be right about EVERYTHING, all except what I would do with my degree. All throughout my junior year, he pushed a teaching career on me and I respectfully declined because my mother was a teacher for over 30 years and where I was interested in teaching, I wasn’t sure that I would be any good at it.
Right after graduating that winter, the Global Pandemic began–Great! So I eventually became a teacher in East Point, Geogia as a second grade classroom teacher and gave myself three years to have my next move. During this time, I founded Keystone Music Academy as a piano and voice teacher. After two years at my day job, I decided that teaching was something that I really was passionate about, but the school that I was at did not have a music program, so my only outlet for teaching music was after work. After years of inquiring about the program, I felt at a loss, so I began to look for work outside of education. After my third year, I successfully founded the music program at my school and then went on two years later and began teaching in the Atlanta Public School District.
So, to this day I am thankful for Dr. Carney’s guidance and to God for showing me my place in education as a teacher and advocate.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
In my opinion, “smart people” often equate talent and skill to guaranteed success. Talent is NEVER enough. There are plenty of talented, beautiful and smart people that are not successful in what they are skilled to do. Success can look so many different ways, and this is what I frame for children every day.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What light inside you have you been dimming?
I have not been as present on the live stage as I would have liked to be in the last 4 years, but I am getting back into auditioning and performing which is SO exciting!
I recently performed at Atlanta’s annual Sweet Auburn Music Festival as well as auditioning for upcoming seasons, so look for me to be back on stage in the upcoming theatre season!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/DestinySadeOfficial
- Instagram: Personal: @DestinySade_ Business: @KeystoneMusic_
- Facebook: Destiny McDaniel
- Youtube: Destiny Sade
Image Credits
Kentrel Robinson, Photographer
