An Interview with Niamph Elizabeth
We recently interviewed a teen singer/actress for the Cliché Teen Journal Interview Blog page.
Read about the interview below!
*A conversation between Daania S. and Niamh Elizabeth, a senior singer/actress.*
Daania: How are you?
Niamh: I’m pretty good! I’ve had a pretty busy day, but it’s all been great stuff.
Question 1: When did you first start singing or playing your musical instrument?
Niamh: I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember. As for instruments, I began playing the ukulele and guitar around 4 years ago.
Question 2: What’s your favorite genre of music to play?
Niamh: That’s a really tough question, honestly. I would probably say a tie between broadway and alternative music. I really love musical theatre and the emotion behind every line in each song. I also enjoy the broader genre of alternative because it’s so creative and unique. I also like playing some types of pop music.
Question 3: What artist would you say inspire you?
Niamh: I went through a big emo phase when I was in middle school. Around that time, I began writing my own music and figuring out my sound, so bands like twenty one pilots, Panic! at the Disco, and many others had a huge influence on me. Right now, I’m super inspired by indie artists. I’ve been listening to a lot of dodie, The 1975, morgxn, and Declan McKenna.
Question 4: How do you feel when you play music?
Niamh: I’ve never been all that good at talking, I get pretty anxious in social situations. But playing music makes it easier to communicate for me. It’s a really amazing universal art form. Music can sometimes be a challenge, but I’m always excited to take the challenge on. To sum it up, I would say music makes me feel understood.
Question 5: What qualities do you believe a good musician should possess?
Niamh: I feel like that’s sometime I’m always learning, always figuring out though different experiences. Dedication is a huge part of being a musician, in the sense of practicing and that creativity can take time and focus. Motivation is also an important aspect. I feel this especially as a high school student, sometimes it’s hard to find time to make music when you have assignments and other stuff. But when you truly love what you’re doing, you can find that motivation.
Question 6: What is your goal in the musical career pathway?
Niamh: Along with writing my own music, I’m pursuing a career in musical theatre. I’ll be attending college majoring in musical theatre. My goal for my life is to be able to make art for my whole life, and ideally be able to support myself off of that art. It’s a pretty common hope, but I feel it’s the ideal way I could spend my time.
Question 7: How many theatre productions have you been in and which roles have been your favorite?
Niamh: I think I’ve been in around 15 different productions, and I’m currently in a show. I got to play Helena in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which was a difficult but really rewarding process. Another role with the same experience was Marmee in my high school’s production of Little Women. It was interesting to portray someone much older than me. I just finished up my last high school show, Once Upon a Mattress, where I played Princess Winnifred. It was an unbelievably silly and fun role.
Question 8: What college are you planning to attend and for which program?
Niamh: It’s pretty cliché, but I’ve always been told variations of “good things take time” and I believe that’s really powerful advice. Learning and growing in music and theatre takes putting the time in. Not many parts of music can be picked up quickly. Hard work and practice is so necessary in both music and theatre.
Question 10: What is the best advice you can give to teens (not relating to music and theater)?
Niamh: Take time to discover yourself! I spent the beginning of high school following the “perfect plan” for success. But I quickly realized that you need to decide what you are passionate about, not what people believe will get you admitted to college. Also, join things! I’m a part of so many extracurricular activities and they were some of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had.
Last one: Any last things you’d like to add?
Niamh: I think I’m good! Thanks so much for interviewing me, it was really cool :)
Check out Niamh's Insta: @niamhhelizabeth
Want to hear her? Click button below!
Niamh: I’m pretty good! I’ve had a pretty busy day, but it’s all been great stuff.
Question 1: When did you first start singing or playing your musical instrument?
Niamh: I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember. As for instruments, I began playing the ukulele and guitar around 4 years ago.
Question 2: What’s your favorite genre of music to play?
Niamh: That’s a really tough question, honestly. I would probably say a tie between broadway and alternative music. I really love musical theatre and the emotion behind every line in each song. I also enjoy the broader genre of alternative because it’s so creative and unique. I also like playing some types of pop music.
Question 3: What artist would you say inspire you?
Niamh: I went through a big emo phase when I was in middle school. Around that time, I began writing my own music and figuring out my sound, so bands like twenty one pilots, Panic! at the Disco, and many others had a huge influence on me. Right now, I’m super inspired by indie artists. I’ve been listening to a lot of dodie, The 1975, morgxn, and Declan McKenna.
Question 4: How do you feel when you play music?
Niamh: I’ve never been all that good at talking, I get pretty anxious in social situations. But playing music makes it easier to communicate for me. It’s a really amazing universal art form. Music can sometimes be a challenge, but I’m always excited to take the challenge on. To sum it up, I would say music makes me feel understood.
Question 5: What qualities do you believe a good musician should possess?
Niamh: I feel like that’s sometime I’m always learning, always figuring out though different experiences. Dedication is a huge part of being a musician, in the sense of practicing and that creativity can take time and focus. Motivation is also an important aspect. I feel this especially as a high school student, sometimes it’s hard to find time to make music when you have assignments and other stuff. But when you truly love what you’re doing, you can find that motivation.
Question 6: What is your goal in the musical career pathway?
Niamh: Along with writing my own music, I’m pursuing a career in musical theatre. I’ll be attending college majoring in musical theatre. My goal for my life is to be able to make art for my whole life, and ideally be able to support myself off of that art. It’s a pretty common hope, but I feel it’s the ideal way I could spend my time.
Question 7: How many theatre productions have you been in and which roles have been your favorite?
Niamh: I think I’ve been in around 15 different productions, and I’m currently in a show. I got to play Helena in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which was a difficult but really rewarding process. Another role with the same experience was Marmee in my high school’s production of Little Women. It was interesting to portray someone much older than me. I just finished up my last high school show, Once Upon a Mattress, where I played Princess Winnifred. It was an unbelievably silly and fun role.
Question 8: What college are you planning to attend and for which program?
Niamh: It’s pretty cliché, but I’ve always been told variations of “good things take time” and I believe that’s really powerful advice. Learning and growing in music and theatre takes putting the time in. Not many parts of music can be picked up quickly. Hard work and practice is so necessary in both music and theatre.
Question 10: What is the best advice you can give to teens (not relating to music and theater)?
Niamh: Take time to discover yourself! I spent the beginning of high school following the “perfect plan” for success. But I quickly realized that you need to decide what you are passionate about, not what people believe will get you admitted to college. Also, join things! I’m a part of so many extracurricular activities and they were some of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had.
Last one: Any last things you’d like to add?
Niamh: I think I’m good! Thanks so much for interviewing me, it was really cool :)
Check out Niamh's Insta: @niamhhelizabeth
Want to hear her? Click button below!