“Don’t Compromise Your Dreams” by Maria Santa-Torres

I believe that each and every soul has been blessed with a God-given gift. Some of us live a lifetime without ever discovering what that that gift is. At the tender age of 5, it was all too evident to me that my God-given gift was the gift of a singing voice. I grew up on a farm where I had the luxury of wide-open spaces for noise reduction and lots of farm animals to stand in as an active audience. The animals were either exceptionally gracious to be entertained by my antics or incredibly starved, because they would always gather around my stage, which was a water-well platform and a garden water hose which I used for my microphone.

I would belt out the likes of Dionne Warwick, Donna Summer and Barbara Streisand to name a few. I grew up in a traditional home, where every Friday and Saturday night my family and I would gather around the television to watch Dance Fever, Solid Gold, and Star Search. We never missed one show. I especially remember the Sonny and Cher show and Donny and Marie Osmond.

I remember standing in front of the mirror with hair brush in hand and my grandmother’s nightgown on my head to pose as Cher’s long, flowing locks of hair. I hesitantly admit watching Hee-Haw. My point is, I grew up in a home, where we appreciated each other, but we also appreciated good music. My grandfather used to play guitar and I remember how fascinated I would become every time he would make music come through its strings. It seemed almost a miracle that such a beautiful melody could be possible with strings and a wooden-bodied case.

At the risk of sounding cliché, I have dreamed of becoming a singer all of my life. I cannot remember a time when I wasn’t immersed in creating or singing music. Even now, when I practice for a show or just for my own personal benefit, there is a feeling of pure radiance and electric energy that pulses thorough my very veins when I sing. I cannot describe the exact effect that it has on me. To be able to convey all emotion, whether that emotion be pain, sorrow, happiness or loss, is a sheer escape from the mortal body and soul. But mostly, to be able to share that wonderful gift with others is the greatest fulfillment. At this point in my life I am really surprised and disappointed that I still have not found my way to super-stardom. By now, I would have thought my name would have been mimicked on the lips of the entire world.

However, our late Sister and Brother, Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson have given each and every successful and striving musician something very valuable to ponder; that nothing good comes without a great price. Somehow, their deaths have convinced me that maybe I am just where God has always intended for me to be. Not all musicians are meant to reach the pinnacle of success. Some of us exist only to bring some peace and solitude with the blessings of our voices.

Every day, I am constantly reminded that I have been placed on this earth for many purposes, but I know that my main purpose is to share my gift and talent of music. Certainly, I must hustle to the daily grind of a 9 to 5, but though it is easy to forget my calling because of the responsibilities of life, I am certain to not place my dream on the back-burner of life. It is so easy to become complacent and frustrated, but the funny thing about a gift is that it constantly reminds you that it is present and waiting to be revealed to the world. Though there are many forks in the pathways of life, you must stay ever focused on your true dreams. Never give up on something that is truly important to you, even when others tell you that it is impossible to attain. They don’t you, and they don’t know your vision, but most importantly, they don’t know God’s vision for your life.

I’ve been on this earth for 40 years now, and I will always hunger for a career in the music business. I often remind myself that Tina Turner was forty when she ventured off, on her own, for a solo career. And what a solo career she had for years. I look to Tina as one of my all time heroes. And I laugh in the face of age, because age is just a number. For the last 2 years, I have been known as the artist, Diva Maria. I have had the luxury to play some pretty exciting venues, and I have met many people. People are so kind and always very appreciative to hear good music, but not as pleased as I am to perform it.

I like to refer to myself as a multifaceted artist because I prefer to perform all kinds of music. At my shows, one can hear anything from Tina Turner to The Eagles. I love all music and I perform all music.

I currently have a single release on the market. You can find it and me at: artistdivamariaworldconcerttour.webs.com.

So, as I close this letter of reflection, I would like to leave you with this one thought. Never give up on your dreams, as you are only allowed to dream big once in a lifetime.

Yours Truly,
Diva Maria

Written for Music Jobs by Maria Santa-Torres.

---

Tags: Dreams, Singing, Tina Turner, Voice