Esha will be presenting her talk, “Compose Yourself” at the TED-ed Weekend this November 17th in New York City.
Go to 1:38 in this video to see a preview of her TED-ed talk
(more details to follow)
Music Is My Therapy
Music Is My Therapy (Facebook.com/eshamusictherapy)
When I was seven years old I was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome, a neurological disorder that causes me to make involuntary movements and sounds. I had a hard time coming to terms with the fact that I was ‘different’. Little seven year old me hardly understood why I couldn’t control my eyes from clenching and my arms from flailing around. I couldn’t concentrate, I couldn’t sit in a desk, and I couldn’t take a test without disturbing everyone in the room.
However, it was during this time, that I began to realize the effect that music had on me and my Tourette. Music quickly became my best friend.
Since before my diagnosis, my mom and I would write poems together every night, but it wasn’t until after my diagnosis that they started holding a real importance in my life. Initially, I wrote about princesses, puppies, and trees, but as I experienced more through my diagnosis, the topics became deeper. Eventually they turned into songs. I found that when I did something music related, my symptoms would lessen and quite often disappear. Writing songs started becoming more than just a hobby to me; it became my medicine and it became my therapy.
I realized that writing gave me the perfect opportunity to get out all my emotions and express how I was feeling and what I was going through in a way that people would want to listen. At the age of twelve I wrote ‘Beautiful’, a song about true, inner beauty. The song was not a place I was at, at the time, but it became my mantra. It was a song I wrote for myself, to remind myself what beauty really was.
As I’ve gotten older and have written more songs, I realize that my Tourette is actually a blessing in disguise. With the help of music I’ve able to better understand that this disorder I have, is just a small part of me. I’ve started understanding that there is more to me than my diagnosis. I’ve begun to see myself as a talented, smart, beautiful young girl who can heal herself through her music.
My parents, seeing my dedication and eagerness to make change and share my music, took me to Nashville to record my first album Beautiful. This album is a personal diary. Each song on the record is about my struggles with Tourette Syndrome and the things that it has taught me. I hope that through my music, people who are in similar situations will feel understood and empowered.
I always thought my Tourette would hold me back but in the end it was what started this whole thing that made my dream come true. I was five years old when I made microphones out of cardboard and sang karaoke to an imaginary crowd of people. Flash forward 11 years and I’m living the dream I never thought I would achieve. Today If you ask me what I’m most grateful to have in my life, I’ll say my Tourette Syndrome and I’ll mean it. It’s made me stronger, it’s taught me my greatest life lessons, and it is the reason I am where I am today.
I started ‘Music is My Therapy’ page in June 2015. Up till now, it’s simply been the part of my music career that donates sales of CD’s to foundations like the Tourette Association of America and the Autism Foundation of Aruba. Now, It’s time to give the idea wings.
I’m creating this official Facebook page in hopes that it will inspire people experiencing life challenges to find what they love and let it save them.
Music affects us all and for some of us with personal challenges, we might find that it is magical and therapeutic. I would love to hear some of your stories about the healing power of music in your life. If you would like to share your experiences please send it to me by email on musictherapy@eshaofficial.com
This was the beginning of my story; I hope you can make it the beginning of yours.
Stay Beautiful,
Esha xx
2017 Caribbean Sea Jazz Festival
This past September 16th, I performed at the annual Caribbean Sea Jazz Festival in Aruba. About a year ago, (during the ‘Beautiful’ Era) I was invited to play in the Art Gallery of the Festival. It was my first opportunity to take part in a music festival and I was ecstatic. For that performance, I stood in the corner of the Art Gallery with my guitar singing covers and original songs while people moved about, made conversation, and admired the artwork. In that performance I was not the center of attention, I was the background music. However, I remember walking out of the gallery that night feeling something I had never felt before. In that particular performance my show had really been about "the music". I remember seeing people move their heads with the grooves I was playing or tap their foot to the rhythm. My performance had a completely different feel to it then my previous performances had.
Since then, every performance I’ve had, I’ve tried to make it center around the music. My actions while I sing, the things that I say in between songs; I wanted everything I did to make the music more impactful and relatable. This year at the Caribbean Sea Jazz Festival, I was given an amazing opportunity to do just that. The organizers kindly invited me again, and this time I was on a big stage with bright lights and my own band, Live Xpressions . My team, the band, and I all worked really well together to put on, what I thought came out as, a great show!!
I had so much fun on that stage, and just like the previous time, I felt like the Caribbean Sea Jazz Festival gave me the opportunity to put my music in the spotlight and allow people to interpret and enjoy it. I thank them for giving me the experience and for supporting "the music".
I look forward to my upcoming shows and seeing some of you there!!
Until Next Time, Stay Beautiful !
Esha xx
www.eshaofficial.com www.caribbeanseajazz.com www.kimcopelandproductions.com
www.copelandtuckergroup.com www.facebook.com/eshamusic
Esha - Island Temptation Magazine
Recently so many amazing opportunities have crossed my path.
Since the release of my second EP ‘Dangerous’, I’ve been busy with a press conference that officially launched the EP, radio tours, my debut concert at Aruba Summer Music Festival, and lots of promotional meetings! Aruba had been extremely supportive of my music, and has given me many amazing chances to share my music and my message!
One of my most recent interviews with the local Aruban magazine, ‘Island Temptations’, was featured in their July edition! The article is written by a dear friend of mine, who understands me and understands my music, so I feel like it definitely captured the message I was trying to get across!
I’m so excited for my upcoming shows at Manic Monday on August 28th and Caribbean Sea Jazz Festival on September 16! I look forward to seeing some of you there!
Read the interview below. Thank you for all your support and love!
Stay Beautiful
-Esha xx
Facebook - @eshamusic
Instagram - @eshamusic
Website - eshaofficial.com
Esha - Aruba Summer Music Festival July 1, 2017
The week before the show was full of preparation, dress rehearsals, and final touches. After four months of eating, sleeping, and breathing Aruba Summer Music Festival, I finally got to see the stage two days before the actual performance. As I walked onto the stage and looked at the empty space ahead of me, I tried to picture what the venue would look like at night with spotlights, bright screens, and thousands of screaming fans. However nothing I pictured in my mind lived up to the actual beauty and experience of the real night.
I spent all of Saturday fidgeting and looking at the clock. I can safely say that it was the LONGEST day of my life. Even though part of me was nervous about being on such a big stage with so many people watching, the other part just wanted to get on that stage and have some fun!
When I reached Harbor Arena on the big night, I was wearing a thick sweater despite the Caribbean heat. My heart was racing and my ears were pounding as I climbed up the stairs to the stage wings. I waited in the wings for what felt like an eternity but was really only about 5 minutes.
Suddenly I heard my intro video play and every cell in my body shook with excitement and nerves. I heard the introduction of my song “I Don’t Need You” and the supportive cheers from the audience. I stood in my position, the spotlights went on, and I sang the first note of my song.
To be honest, everything from there to the final bow of my show was a blur. I remember important key points like the audience putting their flashlights in the air. I remember seeing familiar faces in the crowd, but not exactly registering them until much later. I remember the feeling of singing to 8,000 people and hearing them sing back to me. I remember finishing my set and hearing my island cheer for me.
I’ve been alive for 15 years and I am lucky to have experienced many amazing and thrilling moments in my life, but out of every experience I have ever had so far, none has ever compared to the one I had on July 1, 2017. It wasn’t just about being able to sing before well respected artists like Maluma and Zion y Lennox and it wasn’t just about the number of people in the crowd. The night was amazing for me because I felt like everything I had worked for for the past few years was fitting together so perfectly.
Everyone who has supported me along my journey and anyone who has criticized me helped shape me into the confident and dangerous person I was on stage and I can’t thank you all enough. I am eternally grateful for the people who have encouraged me and given me opportunities that have taken me places I only dreamed of.
I pray that this show was just the beginning of a wonderful journey that lies ahead for us! Thank you for having faith in me.
Stay Beautiful xx
- Esha
Instagram - @eshamusic
Facebook - @eshamusic
Producer - kimcopelandproductions.com
Management - copelandtuckergroup.com
Esha on Spotify
Click to FOLLOW Esha on Spotify
This past week has been so busy! With so many preparations for the new EP and of course my school work, I’ve had a lot on my plate. Sometimes it’s difficult to fall asleep with so many thoughts swarming in your head. I know I’m not the only one who feels this way, so I’ve decided to share a playlist with you, with a few of the songs that help me relax. Listening to this playlist helps me calm my nerves before a show, when I’m stressed out, or when I just feel like relaxing.
I’ll update this playlist sometimes when I find new songs that help me chill out! You can hit the follow button on my playlist, to get notifications when I add new songs!
Link to playlist: https://open.spotify.com/user/eshaalwani3/playlist/2c7eVuMBNf7ydmCxfDgBqH
You can also listen to my original music on Spotify! Follow my profile so you can get a notification when my new EP is released!!
Link to my profile: https://open.spotify.com/artist/48bqe3Gs7O27rXL5OXoVs6
Thank you always for the support!
Stay Beautiful!
-Esha xx
Esha - Ed Sheeran - Divide (@edsheeranmusic)
Ed Sheeran
Yesterday, Ed Sheeran released his third studio album, Divide. Ed is an amazingly talented singer-songwriter who somehow manages to make each of his songs so unique yet maintain his Sheeran style in all of them. I’ve always been a huge fan of his music, not just because his songs are catchy, but also because his lyrics are so powerful, beautiful and touching. After listening to the album just once, I was in love. Here’s a list of my top songs from the album!
Dive: This song is so different from songs Ed usually writes, and I love it! It has such a cool feel to it. I think this one might be my absolute favorite on the album. It’s so melodically beautiful and catchy. I love the way Ed Sheeran tries different styles in this album, but at the same time stays true to his authentic sound!
Perfect: This is the most beautiful love song ever! It melts my heart. The lyrics and emotion in Ed’s voice make the song. The energy in this song is beautiful. It would be the perfect wedding song!
Happier: This song is so sad but so amazing! Ed really captures the attitude of this song well. The instrumentation, lyrics, and the way he delivers the song all come together to give me serious goosebumps.
Picking favorites from this album was so difficult. All the songs are so well-written! If you haven’t already, you should definitely listen to the album!
Leave a comment to let me know what you think, and what your favorite Ed songs are! You can also check out my music video for my original song “Yesterday”, released a few months ago. You can find it on my YouTube channel or right here on my website! The views have been climbing quickly and I’m extremely grateful to everyone who has viewed it and shared it.
My new album will be released very soon. Be sure to "like' my Facebook Page to keep up with the progress
New ESHA CD 2017
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Music has become such an important part of my life. Listening to music and writing music have taught me to understand my emotions and accept them. Music has made it possible for me to share my thoughts, rather than just keeping them to myself. My happiness derives from being able to create something that other people can hopefully resonate with, and connect to. Music has helped me preserver through tough times, and has given me an opportunity to find myself. I encourage all of you to find what you love and let it save you! Music Is My Therapy, what’s yours?
Stay Beautiful!
- Esha xx
Esha to Nashville Feb 2017
This week, I will be in Nashville, Tennessee, recording my second EP. I’ve been working on these new songs since the release of ‘Beautiful’ and I’m really excited to share them with you soon.
The past few months have been busy with song selection, writing, last minute touch-ups and instrumentation, and I can hardly believe that it’s time to go back to studio for the final recordings. This EP has a different attitude to it and I’m really excited to capture that in studio.
Usually when I write songs I write them in the privacy of my room. But with this EP, my producer Kim Copeland and I, wrote songs in places that would inspire us- like the beaches in Aruba! It was a new experience for me, but helped me become a bolder writer.
I can’t wait to share my new music with you. I hope you’ll love it as much as I do! Stay tuned for updates on the EP! Thank you all so much for your support.
Stay Beautiful
- Esha xx
Follow me @eshamusic and check out my music video. The more often it is viewed the better ranking I get at YouTube. View Esha's VIDEO
Esha and Kim Copeland
Video Fan Diary #4
Fans of Esha, enjoy TWO VIDEOS! First is the video diary describing her recent trip to India. It was a great adventure!
Scroll down after you watch it for Video Two.
Take a few minutes to check out Esha's website and view her Official Music Video for her song, YESTERDAY
Feature in Destination Magazine
Team Esha sending congrats to our rock star for her inclusion in the 2017 Destination Magazine. Quite a major accomplishment and we're super proud! Be sure to pick up a copy next time you're flying. Great story on her new music and her music video.
Official Music Video - YESTERDAY
Join Esha in celebrating her birthday by viewing the release of her new music video for her song, YESTERDAY. Every view and share is a wonderful birthday wish for this talented young lady.
