Meet Cecilia Glenn | Musical Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cecilia Glenn and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cecilia, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
When I was four years old, I took my first risk as a musician. I was shy, quiet, and in a phase of life where my face would turn beet red if I was ever in front of a large group of people. I also loved to sing. Somehow, I got the courage to sign up for a talent show at a church retreat, take the stage by myself, and sing my very first solo in front of hundreds of people. I could’ve messed up, become embarrassed, and raced off never to take the stage again. My parents told me my voice was barely louder than a whisper, but I did it. I took the risk and it was so worth it. It showed me that I could do it.

I think if you choose to be a musician, you choose a life of risk. There is always the risk that you will hit the wrong note, miss your entrance, or sing the wrong lyrics. The measurement of risk varies according to each individual. I still get nervous before every performance, so it’s always a risk for me to step on a stage and potentially mess up in front of an audience. For someone else, that thought may never cross their mind. I believe it is the small, simple risks consistently taken that build courage and confidence.

When I went to college, I studied vocal performance. My exposure to classical music was small and my fear of people overhearing me mess up in the practice rooms was big. Back then, the rooms weren’t soundproof. You could hear everything. I remember making a decision my freshman year. I decided I would rather be someone who sounds awful my first year and gradually progress into an accomplished musician than someone who cruises through all four years, staying stagnant and safe in their musicality. If I wanted the former to happen though, it involved taking a risk. I would have to risk people hearing me mess up, a lot. And so I did. I ended up starting off as a freshman who sang a lot of wrong notes to a senior selected by the faculty to perform in the Honors recital. The simple risk of being willing to mess up was worth taking.

The small risks amounted to courage in taking bigger risks. After five years of training and singing classically, I took a decided turn in my musical career. I moved to Nashville to pursue an old love of mine, songwriting. I didn’t know anyone in the music industry and only had a few friends in the city. It was a huge risk and for a myriad of reasons, it ended up being an extremely challenging year. Which led to an even bigger risk.

After one year in Nashville, I decided to take a break from pursuing music as a career. A four year break to be exact. It was probably the toughest decision I had made in life up to that point—giving up what I loved to do most. I risked the possibility of never having a career as a musician again. I spent those years learning more about myself and why I do what I do. What my purpose is. The role of music in my life had become like an unhealthy relationship. My view of my worth had become interwoven with how well I did as a musician. Taking a break showed me that the two are separate. I have worth. The music is separate. Stepping away from what I loved was worth the risk to discovering that truth.

Thankfully there was a poetic switchback. After four years of taking a break from pursuing a career in music, I was excited and ready to take another risk. I decided to return to what I loved doing most. In 2020, I moved back to Nashville, wrote a lot of songs, and released my first EP. Because of this, I have been able to share my music and hear how it has connected with so many different people. It wasn’t just one big risk that led to this, it was lots of little ones piggybacked on each other. With risk comes the possibility of failure, yes, and honestly, I did fail at times. But with risk also comes the inevitable building of courage. Courage leads to the life that songs are written about, and that’s worth it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am excited to keep writing and playing shows! Now that I have released my first EP, it’s on to the next. I have started to write my next album and have loved workshopping new songs at my shows. It’s always fun to hear what songs resonate with people when I perform them live; I’m often surprised! Being an artist is such a unique experience because you get to experience the full circle–dreaming the songs up, writing them, sharing them, and then hearing how they impact people in different ways. I absolutely love it.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If people really know me, they know I love to make an itinerary. I like to “experience the ideal” in life and love making that happen for other people too! For me, a dream weekend has a perfect combination of play and rest, casual and fancy. If I were to plan a Saturday in Nashville, I’d probably start by making you coffee in my apartment. We’d then walk to Proper Bagel just down the street, one of my favorite breakfast spots. Then we’d head out to Radnor Lake or Percy Warner park for a hike and afterwards, grab lunch at Burger Up in 12 South. Their truffle fries are what dreams are made of. After lunch, we’d get tea at Frothy Monkey and stroll through the Belmont neighborhood. We’d have to balance the casual with the fancy though, so then we’d get dressed up and head to dinner at Lockeland Table in East. I live in Music City, so you know we have to hear live music. There are so many amazing venues, but I am definitely partial to the Ryman. What better way to end the day than with music?!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My first shoutout would be to my parents. My ultimate cheerleaders and challengers. My number one fans. Since I can remember, my parents have encouraged me to pursue my gifts, singing and songwriting specifically, and to share them. The latter took some time and extra nudging, but I have them to thank. When I have had doubts, they’ve spoken truth. When I’ve been on the fence about something, they’ve been my sounding board. My mom and dad were a huge reason I returned to pursuing something I love so much. They shoot it to me straight, which I sometimes fight but ultimately love. When I was sharing with them that I had started to seriously write again in 2020, they were the ones who challenged me to go all in. They pushed me to prioritize what I love and to take the risk. I would not be pursuing a career in music if it weren’t for my parents. I realize how rare of a statement that is and I am incredibly grateful.

I also want to shoutout my friends and family, the people in my arena who have gotten in the dirt with me. Whether it’s been spending hours in the practice room together, giving songwriting feedback, hosting shows, or driving around the country with me on a tour, they just keep showing up. It’s very humbling. They have shown me that I cannot do this alone.

Website: ceciliaglenn.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceciliadglenn/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cecilia.glenn.7

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ceciliaglenn

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@ceciliadglenn_

Image Credits
KT Sura