Kelinda: You didn’ t approach your musical talents through songwriting and performing until you were in your teens. Can you tell us what sparked that fire in your soul?
Hannah: I had been singing just as a hobby for my whole life, but decided to make it my career when I was a junior in high school. I moved to Nashville in high school and had a hard time finding where I fit in at school, so my parents encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and try singing at church— and I’ m so glad I did! At first I was reluctant to get on a stage in front of people, but when I started leading worship I fell in love with praising the Lord and helping others do that too. I truly felt like I had found my place, and more importantly, my calling.
When Mark Miller, who produces Casting Crowns and is himself an extremely successful artist, approached me about making music together I was honestly shocked. He heard me lead at church when I was 17 and told me that he felt like the Lord was telling him that we were supposed to work together. I started praying about it and definitely felt confirmation from the Spirit that I was supposed to do music ministry as an artist, and so we started making my record!
Kelinda: Tell us about the moment you were first contacted by Mark Miller. What were your thoughts?
Hannah: I was definitely shocked! I was not seeking out a record deal or a producer— but God brought us together in His timing. Mark was so encouraging and kind to me from the very beginning, and I appreciated how much he believed in me from the start. I was intimidated and unsure of what my future would look like, but after I had the confirmation from the Lord that I was supposed to do this, the fear and intimidation melted away and I was just really excited!
Kelinda: You have toured with several popular Christian bands while attending Belmont University. How do juggle being a full-time student with your burgeoning musical career?
Hannah: You could definitely say that my life is pretty crazy. It’ s like I have two full-time jobs and sometimes it’ s extremely hard to balance. But I truly believe that God has opened the doors and called me to do both, so I do my best to just take everything one day at a time, be present in the moment, and serve the best that I can right where I am— whether that’ s in a college class or on a stage. God has made a way in the past few years for this to work, so I’ m going to keep going for as long as He makes
Solutions 57