With millions of music video views and a strong academic foundation, singer Sabrina Sapal presents a great example of balanced growth and success. In the fall of 2021, BNS’ Jasmine Kara was blown away by the starlette’s humility and professionalism as they collaborated on Ishq and their upcoming English EDM track, Kiss Goodbye (releasing through TMC Records Worldwide); of course, Jasmine could not resist the opportunity to request an interview to share the secrets behind Sabrina’s achievements with BNS’ readers! Here is the Q & A interview with Sabrina Sapal:
Q & A With Singer-Songwriter, Sabrina Sapal
What does your vision for career/entrepreneurial success look like, and why have you chosen this path?
"I am in the music field. How does one define "success?" Does it mean having ten million views on YouTube for one of my songs or does it mean having a positive emotional impact on a person who listens to my music? I would say both are important because the more people listen to my song, the more people can create memories and positive emotions while listening. To me, the reach matters. The more views and streams I get, the more financial gain I earn which goes into investing in more songs I create. My desired impact on people becomes exponential as time goes on. Writing and singing about songs which are relatable to people's lives is the reason why I chose this path."
What was the first step you took to make this vision a reality?
"The first step I took to make this vision a reality was getting the training I needed to become a better skilled artist. I am still polishing my skills and I believe one can never learn enough. I am an introvert so getting myself to network with others in the industry was a big initial step and a necessary one. My formal education helped me in understanding contracts and writing them, which is also crucial in any first step of creating a song project. One thing has led to another in learning the ins and outs of the commercial music industry. "
Which milestones have marked meeting benchmarks towards the fulfillment of this vision/ your goals?
"Creative satisfaction is so important to me. I have learned so much about different genres of music and the skills of writing lyrics and composing melodies. Commercial success wise, I have released songs under renowned record labels such as T-series, Times Music, Mad 4 Music, Thrace Music, Jass Records and more. This has allowed me to reach a bigger and more diverse audience. I have had the opportunity to work with well-known rapper, 'Bohemia.' I have also teamed up on multiple musical projects with one of BOL Beats' music producers, 'Ali Sheikh.' "
What part of your education or other experiences (e.g. volunteering, competitions, hobbies, routines or other personal initiatives) do you feel were the most helpful in preparing you for success?
"I have had formal post-secondary education. I have a bachelor's and master's degree which I believe more than academically, it has helped shape and develop my interpersonal skills and my personality. I have learned about time management and organizational skills. Most importantly, I have learned how to write and comprehend the contracts I use often in my music career. Also as a child, I have taken full advantage of the resources available in my community. I volunteered at a community theatre where I learned about the genre of musical theatre. I was band of the school band where I was formally trained to play the clarinet and tuba. I have also had some vocal training in western music. I try to listen to as many genres of music as possible as it is one of my hobbies. "
How did you continue on your path to achieving your goals throughout the challenges of covid-related operational restrictions?
"I am most grateful for the era I was born in. We have technology available to connect to anyone around the world. Covid-19 did not stop me from making music and working with other artists from around the world. I worked on music and songwriting both individually and in a team setting through platforms such as Zoom. The only avenue for opportunity of revenue for artists that changed during Covid-19 was live performances and concerts. There were platforms for artists to still earn through online concerts, but many artists may agree that it is not the same feeling as performing in front of a live audience with a great sound system and band. "
Which strategies have you found the most effective in growing your audience/ bringing awareness of your service to a larger consumer group (e.g. social media, events, networking, targeting audiences, etc)?
"Social media is a free platform available to almost anyone around the world. I am active on there as it helps me market my musical content. Networking at international music conferences has helped me build professional connections with record labels and other artists. My Instagram handle is: @SabrinaKSapal "
Which partnerships, if any, have been the most constructive in bringing your goals closer to becoming a reality?
"Partnering with record labels has helped me reach closer to my goals because they're great marketing strategies. Also, being part of the Nashville Songwriters Association International has helped me hone in my skills as a songwriter with all the incredible constructive criticism I receive from other group members. "
How do you balance work, passions/hobbies, and relationships?
"Balance is indeed a very important principle in life. It depends on each person's personality and what they consider important in order to achieve happiness in life. For me, I need to involve as much as my non-music related activities with music in some way. For example, driving to my various destinations in the day includes me listening to music. I need to spend time each day being physically active and it also involves listening to music. It contributes to my health, my stamina for singing, my lung capacity, and my mental health. I need to spend time alone to recharge as I am an introvert to reflect on my day and clear the various energies I've dealt with through out the day. Even while spending time with family, the subject of music always comes up from me or my other family members. As much as I can involve music in my daily tasks, I do so organically. It is second nature for me."
What are your future plans to build on your achievements and fulfill your vision for success/ what developments can your audience or clientele look forward to expecting next?
"I have a long way to go. If you listen to all of my songs, no two songs sound the same. I always try to release a different theme, genre and flavor with each musical release. My future plans are to keep the audience excited and collaborate with artists who I can learn more from. I want to make sure that I'm making the audience feel an emotion that helps them in their specific stage of life. For me, music is therapy and I have heard many non-artists and music lovers say the same thing. The more people I can reach, I believe I will be able to help others make memories using my music."
What advice would you like to give readers that hope to achieve success in your field?
"I would tell them to be focused, improve your skills constantly, study your field whether if it's formal education or self-study, work hard, and try your best to get out of your comfort zone to explore other creative sides of yourself. You never know what you're good at or what you like unless you try it. Listen to as much music as you can. Spend time with other artists who are more knowledgable than you. Act like a sponge and soak in as much information about music as you can."