Children’s dreams are precious, occasionally nurtured, too often discouraged, most likely ignored. But Shanna Anjali Weatherby is not only holding on to her dream, she’s making it happen.
Tonight, the 19-year-old, now known as Shanna Anjali, will sing a song at Benaroya Hall in Seattle, joining other musicians in a concert to benefit the Lifelong AIDS Alliance.
Anjali started with piano and singing lessons at age 8 and had the lead solo in the third-grade performance of “Calamity Jane.” A member of Snohomish High School’s Crimson Singers Jazz Choir, she participated in competitions, including the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival. She was chosen for the America Choral Directors National Honor Choir.
Now a Shoreline resident, she’s out of that protected cocoon and into the often-harsh music industry, where the best voices don’t always succeed.
“A lot of doors get slammed in your face; people telling you that your dream is unrealistic. The whole journey in the music business has been very discouraging at times, but I have to remember that this is what I want,” Anjali said.
It’s been hard the last few years to follow a dream when the majority of her friends were pursuing “realistic careers” and “stable 9-to-5 jobs.” But Anjali is talented and determined, and has support from a role model, her mother Sherry Weatherby, a single parent who adopted two children from two families in India.
“She’s done it by herself and is really wise and smart,” Anjali said. “She’s my biggest critic, and always keeps me grounded but supports me. I can’t love her more than I do. My mother is the most wise individual that I’ve ever met.”
Her sister Rani is also musically talented.
“She’s a jazz prodigy. She entered piano competitions and would win for theory, and I was just struggling to get by. She can tell me after (a show), ‘Here’s what you need to work on’ or ‘This was really great.’”
Mariah Carey has been a musical role model for Anjali, as have Aretha Franklin and Bette Midler, gifted women who were also independent and successful.
Carey has a special connection to Anjali’s past.
“I feel for adopted children, when they have that sense of ‘Who are my birth parents; why didn’t they want me.’ I’m Indian and everyone else in (Snohomish) was not … and it really hit me all at once.”
Weatherby gave her daughter a Mariah Carey tape; she latched onto the song “Make It Happen.”
“It detailed how even in the hardest time, if you get on your knees and pray to God, he’ll help make it happen, if you believe in yourself.
“Not everyone has talent for basketball or chess, but music, whether you’re good at it or not, as you can see on ‘American Idol,’ everyone in the world can share it and it unites us all.”
While researching singing opportunities, Anjali answered an Internet ad: “soulful female vocalist wanted,” which led her to Rich Hinrichsen, which led to a part in tonight’s benefit.
| A song written in memory of a lost brother was the catalyst for the concert “I’ll Love You Always: A Musical Valentine” at 7 tonight at Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall at Benaroya Hall, 200 University, Seattle.
When Rich Hinrichsen of Seattle lost his younger brother, Steve, to AIDS in 1993, he turned to music for solace. He wrote “I’ll Love You Always,” blending brass, soul, a Bach-inspired chorale and vocals about love, loss, and hope. In addition to Snohomish High School graduate Shanna Anjali, who will sing “I’ll Love You Always,” performers paying tribute to love include: * Reuel Lubag Trio, a Lynnwood resident who performs in the jazz tradition of Oscar Peterson. * William Nyaho, a classical pianist who bridges cultures in his recitals, often presenting commentary on the links between Western and African classical music. * Mosaic Brass Quintet plays music spanning five centuries and has performed with area symphonies and the Pacific Northwest Ballet. * John Paul Shields is a classical guitarist in the style of Sergovia or Alirio Diaz. * Jack Klitzman covers multiple genres with sax and flute. Tickets are $20, available at the box office or by calling 206-292-ARTS. |
She’ll sing “I’ll Love You Always,” written by Hinrichsen in memory of his brother, who died of AIDS.
“This song touched close to home, about love and losing someone close to you,” Anjali said. “It meant a lot to me because of my uncle, who died of cancer.”
Anjali has yet to return to the country of her birth.
“Maybe I’ll return to India on a world tour.”
Don’t bet against her.
Barry Wong photo
Shanna Anjali performs tonight in Seattle.
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