Today we’d like to introduce you to Ella Dabney.
Hi Ella, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Ella began singing from a young age. She could be found singing songs around the house about her many pets or starring in original musicals. From choir to musical theatre to a cappella groups to singing at events, her voice has guided her. Earning her Bachelor of Music at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, Ella honed in on her voice as an instrument. Studying classical voice with Barbara Hill-Moore, she established a foundation in vocal technique enabling her to be a versatile singer. She currently sings neosoul, jazz, and R&B in the Dallas Fort-Worth Metroplex and has established herself in the music scene. She enjoys leading and collaborating with fellow musicians to make creative projects come to life! She has performed at venues such as The Balcony Club, Sundown at Granada, Dallas Farmers Market, Deep Ellum Block Party, and SMU sporting events. In addition to studying music, Ella earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences during her time at SMU. She is soon attending her Masters Program to become a Physician Assistant (PA-C). She hopes to study otolaryngology and work with singers/professional voice users who struggle with voice disorders. She also conducted research at UT Southwestern Medical Center examining personality and voice disorders among singers. She is eager to continue singing and combine her interests as a career in medicine.
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?
Since I was three years old, singing has been my passion. From childhood musicals for relatives to preparing for my senior year university performance, I have known the meaning of discipline, practice, and creative connection. It was not until my voice was compromised that I realized its true importance. I was days away from performing in the opera adaptation of Cinderella when severe laryngitis rendered me unable to speak. Losing my voice resulted in a forfeited performance and ultimately a humbled sense of self. I only began to feel hopeful again when I met an otolaryngologist, and she approached me through the perspective of a singer. I exited the ENT clinic feeling optimistic about my voice and curiously inspired by the idea that my life-long passion for music could meld with my growing interest for medicine. This struggle not only provided perspective on how quickly things can change, but also served as a realization for an engaging career path.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a classically trained vocalist based in Dallas. My classical training and experience in multiple genres (musical theatre, a cappella, jazz, classical voice) allows me to be a versatile singer. At this point, I want to learn and collaborate. In my time in the Dallas music scene, I have networked and organized collaborative sessions and performances with fellow artists. I love to experiment, to try, to fail, to grow. I am unafraid to put myself out there. For instance, the first open mic that I sang at, I stickered people’s backs with stickers of my music Instagram. This usually prompted a conversation and I quickly connected with many Dallas musicians who I collaborate with today. I am known to be a team player at my core. I care deeply about the music making process of building a performance even more than the actual performance. I am proud of my ability to connect with a variety of individuals and musicians in both my musical endeavors and clinical experiences.
I also want to inspire. Music is meant to connect people. I want to use my voice to express the shared human experience and reach audience members alongside fellow artists. I want to challenge myself and exhibit my passion for powerful music wherever I go.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I see the music industry shifting to more personal, involved performance experiences. I think concerts and events that involve the audience and create a listening experience will become more memorable. Audience members don’t want a cookie cutter / standardized experience amongst all musical artists; they want nostalgia, connection, and community. And in order to create a closer relationship between the audience and the artists, the artist needs to cultivate experiences that involve the audience. For instance, involving the audience in harmonies (Jacob Collier, YEBBA have done this), creating merch that is nostalgic (Zara Larson’s wardrobe signals to the nostalgic Y2K era), and promoting content that is authentic.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.elladabneymusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elladabneymusic?igsh=MTBrOG1vMWYxcXBwbQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/ella-dabney
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@elladabneymusic
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@elladabneymusicc?_r=1&_t=ZT-93ExjDAmLd8
Image Credits
Images 2 and 4: Carlos Olate (@opproductuons2k24)
Image 3: Mario DeLeon (@mario_sings)
