Rising Music Star Anna Goldsmith On The 5 Things You Need To Shine In The Music Industry
…Be in the moment. Living in the moment to me means to enjoy what’s going on in the present, and not worrying about what might happen in the future, or what has already taken place in the past. Living in the moment makes me happier and less stressed out. There is a trend to my 5 life lessons: ways to reduce stress!
Asa part of our interview series with leaders, stars, and rising stars in the music industry, we had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Anna Goldsmith.
Living by her own words with her writing, performances and personal life, Anna Goldsmith is a 15-year-old multi-instrumentalist and musical force, focusing on her talents and her desire to create music and share messages of kindness, hope and confidence.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series Anna! Before we dive in, our readers would love to learn a bit about your “origin story”. Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
I’ve grown up north of Toronto, Canada, in a small town. My family tells me stories about how young I started speaking, by age 1. And I am still super chatty to this day. My Mom stayed home with me until I was 6, so we did a lot of fun things together in those years. My first introduction to music was a Kinder Music program I did with her when I was 1. When I was 4, we were listening to a live Pearl Jam album in the car and during the song “Even Flow” the lead singer says “Let me introduce you to Michael” right before a big guitar solo. When the solo ended, I said to my Mom, “that Michael sure is good!” When I was 6 I started taking piano lessons, and then when I was 9 I asked to start vocal lessons too. My parents and I are big skiers, and I started skiing when I was 2. I used to race but had to give it up when it interfered with my musical theater rehearsals at age 10. I am currently 15 and on the honor roll in high school. I have always loved animals, and we have two dogs.
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
When I was 9, my kindergarten French teacher contacted my Mom to recommend that I audition for the upcoming youth community theater production of Peter Pan the Musical Jr. I had never been on a stage like this before (I had done a few recitals only). I got the role of Young Brave Girl and sang and danced through most of the show in the ensemble — it was so much fun and I was hooked! Being up on stage and entertaining the audience is the best!
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
In August 2022 I was invited to New York City to perform at the Chelsea Music Hall! It was so much fun and an experience I will never forget! I sang three songs, two cover songs and the third was my first time singing my then-unreleased latest original “Follower”. It was amazing to sing for that audience — they were so into the performances of all the artists and the energy was incredible.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
One time I got up on stage and forgot all the words to the song I was supposed to sing. I just blanked. I know the song, it is a Christmas song. Fortunately I sang the first line so the audience knew what it was, and they started singing to help me out. It turned into a sing-along which was really fun. I learned that even if I make mistakes, my friends and family will always be there to support me and they’ve got my back. I learned to just go with the flow.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? Can you tell us a bit about your new single?
I am currently working on a new album. I have recorded two new songs so far, and am writing more. It looks like the next single will come out in February, and I will release another cover song in January. I am so excited for the new songs, I think people are really going to love them. I wrote “Follower” in the summer and it officially released in September 2022. It is about listening to yourself, being true to yourself, and it’s okay to be your authentic self because you are amazing!
We are very interested in diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share three reasons with our readers about why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in music, film, and television? How can that potentially affect our culture?
People need to be able to connect with and relate to those they see in music and on screen. It is important to see people like yourself represented, and diversity will broaden our cultural experience for everyone.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why? Please share a story or example for each.
You don’t have to be perfect. Striving to always make or do things “right” every single time is exhausting and stressful. As long as I try my best, I’ve learned that is good enough. This is a work in progress and I am applying it to all areas of my life such as school, my singing, songwriting, dancing, and my acting.
Go with the flow, and relax. Learning to accept things that we cannot change makes for a less stressful life, which is a happier life!
Be in the moment. Living in the moment to me means to enjoy what’s going on in the present, and not worrying about what might happen in the future, or what has already taken place in the past. Living in the moment makes me happier and less stressed out. There is a trend to my 5 life lessons: ways to reduce stress!
Be yourself. To me this means to truly like yourself. Live your life how you want to live it and as long as you can sleep well at night with the way you live your life, that’s all that matters. This is so much what my song “Follower” is about. Respect yourself, and don’t worry about what others think of you.
It is only your opinion that matters. This one ties in to “Be yourself” as well. Listen to yourself and don’t lose your own voice. You are important just as you are. Your opinions and your voice matters.
Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?
It is important for me to take tiny breaks and I think it’s important for others to try as well. I usually like to go go go, but sometimes you need a small break. I learned to engage in fun activities to avoid breaking your flow. The ones I like to do are exercise like dancing or going to the gym, going outside for a walk with my dogs, and I really love selfcare such as a face mask or even just washing my face! Also, if you’re ever feeling like you are about to burnout, it helps me to have yummy snacks while I am working because it gives me energy which makes it easier to get the task completed.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
My goal with my music and in life is to inspire people to be true to themselves and have the confidence to shine as their real selves. This also means accepting yourself, and others, as they are. We are all unique and special in our own ways, and that is a beautiful thing.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
I am so grateful to my vocal and piano teacher Margot Hamilton. I started vocal lessons with Margot when I was 9, and without her expertise, guidance and support, I would not be where I am today. Margot trained me on all the important technical skills in singing, she understands what kind of learner I am, and she has taught me how to maintain good vocal health. She has given me so many opportunities to grow and excel, doing what I love most. Margot has always supported me and my projects, and we have a very strong bond for which I am grateful.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
My favorite quote is “Just Do It”. One of my vocal and performance coaches, Lorraine Lawson, recommends saying “yes” to opportunities that make sense for me and my goals. Since I started working with Lawson Vocal Studios early in 2022, I have said yes to so many opportunities for learning, growth, and for performances, and as a result even more fantastic opportunities have come up!
Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)
Lady Gaga. 1000000% Lady Gaga. I feel our messages and vision align. She believes in inclusion, being kind, true to herself, and being a good person. Lady Gaga demonstrates these beliefs in her music as well as how she lives her life. She is truly inspiring. It is so important to have a role model who is ambitious and smart, focuses on things that matter to me, and knows who she is inside and out.
How can our readers follow you online?
My website www.annagoldsmith.com
Instagram @itsannagoldsmith
TikTok @itsannagoldsmith
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@itsannagoldsmith
All music streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, and Deezer.
This was very meaningful, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!
