ZOE MACGILL ' 22

Seventh grader Zoë Macgill’ s life has always been centered around music— she started singing at age two, began piano lessons at age nine, and started writing her own music at age 10. Recently, the talented Middle School student released two original songs—“ I Am Invincible” and“ Unreal”— through Richmond arts school Passion Academy. We caught up with Zoë about her hopes and dreams in relation to her music career.

What led to the release of your first self-written songs?

“ I’ ve been singing as long as I can remember, and I started taking voice lessons when I was 11 at a school for the arts called Passion Academy. They’ ve really developed me as a performer by helping me to be unafraid of performing onstage and writing original songs. The person I take voice lessons from is a producer— he knew I had been writing music, so he helped me record and produce two of my songs.”

Where does your inspiration for your songs come from?

“ I get inspiration from anywhere, anything— it just comes to me out of nowhere. I’ ve gotten inspiration from visiting a place or sometimes listening to other songs— if I hear a song I like, I’ ll think,‘ that’ s the way I want to tell my story.’ Recently, I’ ve experimented with styles based on artists I like. I don’ t really know where‘ I Am Invincible’ came from— I just got this idea one night and I had to write it down. It’ s a song about being independent, confident, and strong. I have lived each and every one of the lyrics, so I really wrote this song with my heart.”

What are you doing currently to develop your musical skills?

“ In addition to voice and piano lessons, I’ ve played the recorder and drums in band at Steward. I started playing the ukulele recently, and I want to learn guitar so I can accompany myself as I sing. I also started doing chorus as an elective last year at Steward, which I continued this year. I also perform with my church choir. I think being in chorus will help me perform better because you have to collaborate with others, so you develop artistically by being around other talents and skills.”

What is your long-term goal for your musical career?

“ I don’ t necessarily want to be famous— I just want people to hear my music and be inspired by it. In terms of college, James Madison University has a great music program, so I would love to major or minor in something related to music. I always want to learn more about what I love.”

What is your advice to those who want to purse a particular hobby or passion?

“ Stick with it. A lot of times, something might happen that will want to make you stop, or it can be hard to keep practicing. But it’ s a really rewarding feeling when you write a song or finish a project that was challenging. Your dreams are as good as anyone else’ s.”

Download " I Am Invicible " from itunes.

Download " Unreal " from itunes.

STEWARD ONLINE

We have even more arts-related content on stewardschool. org— scan the QR codes below to read the stories!

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Art Display Combines Creatures, Colors

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