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

Hi Rebecca, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
It pursued me. I grew up in a working class family and was the first one to graduate from college. During that time, music was purely an emotional outlet. I completed a degree in political science and planned to go to law school after a year off to boost my finances. However, enough people encouraged me to pursue a singing career that I eventually took the leap. Difficult as this particular year has been for the music world, I do not regret the choice.   

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a classically trained singer, and my main focus in the beginning of my career was opera. I have performed over 30 roles in different opera houses across the country. I love the operatic art form, the visceral effect is has on the audience and bringing a character to life on stage. But I have also collaborated with composers on video game and film scores as well as artists in the pop/rock world. I find it exciting and fascinating to blend genres and work with people from other musical backgrounds.

During the pandemic, my husband (a composer in the film and tv world) and I wrote, recorded, filmed, and produced our first music video together. It is called CHAOS, and I am very proud of our work. It was a really important outlet for both of us during this wild year. Last but not least, two highly anticipated movies, that were supposed to be released this year but will now premiere in 2021, will also feature my voice.
Becoming a mother in 2014 presented many new challenges to my professional career, particularly since we do not live near family. But it also gave me an entirely new perspective on the world and ability to maximize the time that I do get to myself. While my six year old definitely keeps me busy, the energy and joy that he brings to every day is a wonderful source of inspiration.
One of the most important lessons I have learned along the way, though, is that all of the ups and downs make me the artist and singer that I am. And no one else has my voice!
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?
One of the best things about southern California, for this Wisconsin girl, is that you can spend one day at the beach and the next day hiking in the mountains. So I would highly recommend a trip to both places. As for food, I lived in Japan for a year, and Sakura on Centinela has some of the best sushi I have had outside of Japan. The Berolina Bakery in Glendale is excellent for delicious fresh baked bread and other Scandinavian food. And since I am a lover of classical music, an opera at the Dorothy Chandler and a concert at the Hollywood Bowl or Disney Hall, depending on the time of year, would also be high on the to-do list. Last but not least, drive out to Joshua Tree and soak in the desert beauty!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
To Melissa Malde, my first voice teacher without whom I would never have pursued this career. To Juliana Gondek, Rakefet Hak, and Peter Kazaras at UCLA, all of whom helped me to find my unique sound and to navigate this career. To my wonderful group of artist mothers who listen, understand, and encourage me. To Suzanne Rovani and Laura Wilde, amazing artists and absolutely beautiful souls. Last but not least, my husband Marcus Sjöwall, who supports me always.

Website: www.rebeccasjowall.com
Instagram: @rebeccasjowall.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaSjowallSoprano
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RebeccaSjöwallSoprano

Image Credits
Dennis C. Olson Brittany Anderson

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