Daily Inspiration: Meet Onella Piyatilake

Today we’d like to introduce you to Onella Piyatilake.

Hi Onella, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Music has always been a large part of my life. I began performing at age 6 and it was clear early on that music was more than a hobby. I was so fortunate to grow up with parents who encouraged my passion for music and introduced me to Jazz at a young age.

I spent my childhood in Sri Lanka, where music is deeply rooted in the culture. I had the privilege of listening to both western and eastern music, and artists like Herb Alpert, Ella Fitzgerald, Keerthi Pasqual and Bathiya and Santhush were among my earliest inspirations.

Growing up during the civil war, life often felt uncertain. During this time, music was always a source of joy and stability. When I was 15, my family and I immigrated to the United States. Starting over in a new country brought a whole new set of challenges, and music helped me navigate this transition.

My early music education began at the Mary Anne Singers academy in Sri Lanka and as my training continued in the United States, I had the privilege of earning my Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance with a focus on Pedagogy.

Today, I am a performer, educator and songwriter. I am currently preparing to release music this year and I’m excited about stepping into this new chapter as an artist. I’m especially excited about growing a meaningful connection with my community through music and incorporating elements of my Sri Lankan heritage into my work.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Like many independent artists, one of my biggest challenges has been learning how to balance the creative side of music with the business side. As an independent artist you wear many hats and finding balance while building an audience, networking, content creation, songwriting and also finding time to relax can be overwhelming at times.

Another challenge has been learning not to fall into the comparison trap. Instead, I choose to be inspired by other artists’ journey and successes.

My largest challenge yet has been the task of building a genuine connection with my listeners and community. For my upcoming release, it’s been important to involve my local community through collaborating with small businesses and community spaces. It is a challenge, but it is one of the most exciting parts of this release!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My work spans across the music industry. I perform throughout the Chicagoland area, I am a vocal educator through my studio, and I’m a recording artist.

As a performer, I love the magnetic energy that comes from a live audience and the reminder to stay present in the moment. As an educator, I am passionate about connecting people to their voice and helping them grow through their goals of speech and singing. As a songwriter, I’m drawn to the nostalgia of Jazz, the crossover of musical genres and blending styles to create a sound that feels authentically me.

What sets you apart from others?-

I believe my training, Sri Lankan roots and artistic vision sets me apart. My work is heavily inspired by jazz and classical vocals and I’m passionate about bridging the gap between music that I find timeless and blending it with contemporary elements.

I hope to continue exploring and incorporating my Sri Lankan heritage into my work in a way that honors traditions that shaped me and that feels both timeless and fresh.

What are you most proud of?-

I’m most proud of launching my vocal studio this past year. It has been incredibly rewarding to build a community of students from around the world as well as helping students reach their vocal goals and find joy in their voice.

I’m also extremely proud of myself for releasing original music this year. It has been a fun and valuable journey that I can’t wait to dive further into.

Finally, I’m proud of being able to support local businesses through music. Whether performing at community events, local venues, cafes and churches, I’m grateful to contribute to communities that support artists like me.

How do you define success?
I believe the greatest measure of success is growth.

My husband often reminds me of this quote “you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” and he adds, “you’ll never know unless you try. You owe it to yourself to try with all you’ve got.” I believe you’ll truly never know what’s possible unless you push yourself and give your best effort.

I have big goals for my career, and I’m excited to continue working towards them. To me, I believe success is also about building a life where I find joy in the work I do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://onellamusic.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onellamusic/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@onellamusic