Today we’d like to introduce you to Tonni Red
Hi Tonni, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
For starters, I’ve been singing for as long as I could talk, so music has always been a large part of my life and my identity. My earliest memory of performing is from my Pre-K Christmas pageant when I sang ‘Happy Birthday Jesus’. According to my mom, my teachers loved to hear me sing, so they’d make me sing the song over and over again to the point that I started crying. Clearly, those tears didn’t affect me too much because I’ve been singing non-stop ever since.
My first time receiving real musical training was when I attended the Baltimore School for the Arts (BSA) for high school. The four years I spent at BSA gave me the core training I needed to help mold me into the musician I am today. Those four years also helped me realize that being a singer is truly what I was put on this earth to do. Had it not been for BSA, I honestly don’t know if I would still be pursuing music to this day.
After high school, I attended the Peabody Institute to continue my musical training. Being at Peabody helped me hone in on what type of singer I wanted to be (classical vs. R&B), and while I realized that being a classical musician was not for me, that classical training was and is the base for any and all singing I do in any genre.
Once I graduated from Peabody in 2020 with my bachelor in vocal performance, I lost myself for a couple of years. Between the pandemic and a relationship that did not bring out the best in me, I questioned whether or not I even wanted to be a musician anymore. However, one thing about your purpose in life is that it will find you again and again, no matter how many times you try to leave it behind. So, after leaving that relationship and emerging from the height of the pandemic, I was able to find myself again, including my love for music.
Since then, I’ve put out my first single ‘Jealous’, out now on all streaming platforms, been performing at events all over the city, including the inauguration for the Baltimore City Council, and have continued to be grateful for all the blessings I have already received in my life and those that are yet to come.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it has definitely not been a smooth road to get where I am today. As I talked about in my previous answer, between the pandemic and losing myself in a man, I lost my way in terms of my love for music. For a while, I was unsure if I could even make a living for myself being a musician, so I gave up. I also deal with depression and anxiety, which at times, causes me to lose passion for things in my life, including life itself.
However, I am blessed to have a wonderful support system that includes my family, friends, and an amazing therapist, so I was able to pull myself out of a very dark time in my life and come out on the other side a stronger and more mature version of myself.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a singer and songwriter, but more importantly, I am a musician. There are a lot of people that can sing or write a song, but there is a lack of true musicianship in music today, and my musicianship is what sets me apart from other singers. Singing is about more than just performing the notes. It’s about having a good technique and really allowing the music itself to inform the emotions behind what you are singing. Being able to move people to tears with my voice and inspire others to want to be better singers is what I am most proud of.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
If there is anyone out there doubting themselves or their art, don’t. There is no one else like you on the planet, and the world deserves to experience you and your unique perspective. Bet on yourself and trust that all things will work out for your greater good.
Pricing:
- Pricing depends on the type of event and the number of songs being requested.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonni_red?igsh=MXUycW5wdnNrYnltcg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1YJYtmd2in/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@tonni_red?si=TiyDdgdvYGtHJ-vJ
Image Credits
Personal Photo Image Credit – Brandon Campbell
