Today we’d like to introduce you to Beth Million.
Hi Beth, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hey! I am an RnB/Soul singer-songwriter living in New York City, though born in Atlanta and of Ethiopian Descent, I grew up in Geneva, Switzerland. Around the age of 12, I began singing and performing in minimal capacities through a local musical theatre program in Switzerland, which was the time I first got the performance bug. After quickly falling in love with performing while still having limited opportunities to practice it, on a whim, I auditioned for the musical theatre program at NYU.
After being admitted, I took this as a sign that there was something more for me in New York. I moved, and while I learned really valuable techniques, I found myself struggling to find my own voice in musical theatre. I felt like there was a dissonance in the stories I wanted to tell through this newfound technique I had gained, and later realized I had a lot more to say. I turned to music, and though I had minimal music theory experience, I was full in concepts that I wanted to explore. So, I began deciding to create my own music and perform throughout New York City. Through this journey, I found a way to grow as a musician, a performer, and a person, and though things have switched digitally I haven’t slowed down yet… and I don’t plan on it!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road! Any artist starting out is likely to face imposter syndrome, gatekeepers, and limited accessibility due to lack of excessive financial funding. All of these challenges are even more nuanced because of the fact that I am a Black woman, and navigating that has been the hardest but also most fulfilling journey, as the outcome of doing the work to battle those obstacles has made me more sure of my work, myself, and my message. As an independent artist, you really have to vouch for yourself, and your own self-awareness is extremely important. People are going to see you as the artist that you put yourself out to be! Vouching for yourself is the only way to overcome imposter syndrome, dismiss gatekeepers, get respect from collaborators, and receive the rightful compensation that you deserve for the work you are creating and putting out into the world.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a multi-hyphenate artist! I’m known most for my music, but I’m also a professional actor. I trained for four years through NYU and am now signed to CESD. I’m ultimately here to make and nurture a space of self-love, self-respect, and self-awareness. I don’t tend to take myself very seriously, but I take my work very seriously. That’s something to be celebrated, and hopefully, something to encourage the younger generation of Black creatives. Being independent has allowed me to put forward my most authentic self, which in return, I hope allows me to draw in the most authentic supporters. To truly create your most impactful work takes a lot of self-reflection, which is why a lot of my work has to do with reprocessing and working through past experiences.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I hope only up! I feel very good about who I am and where I am in my artistic journey, and all I could ever want is to get my message out to as many people as possible. I really hope to dismantle the gatekeepers who I felt were standing in front of opportunities, and to pave the way the way for future young Black creatives. I haven’t stopped thinking about one day going on tour; it’s something that I’ve been dreaming about since I started performing live. I think after over a year of live music being on pause when things can safely return, it will come back stronger than ever.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bethmillion.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethlehemmillion/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bethmilion
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/beth_million
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKp06C3RjgrPH-XegeuQqHQ
Image Credits
Profile Photo- Kristina Shakht Outdoor photos (additional photo section)- Clara Jeanne Reed
