Meet Our Music Experts: Hannah
Sound Society is home to top tier musicians who have ample experience and expertise in the music industry, from professional performances to event production, luxury weddings, corporate events, and more. Today, we are proud to introduce Hannah! She is one of our lead vocalists, producers, and an all-around powerhouse. Hannah has been a part of Sound Society since its’ inception and knows all the ins and outs of the music industry and the event business. She exudes talent and energy in all her performances and the crowd can’t help but dance along when she’s on the mic! Join us as we learn a little more about Hannah’s journey with music.
Tell us a little bit about your musical journey. When did you start singing and how did you decide on it as a career?
I grew up around music. My mother was a dancer and singer at Disneyland my whole life, so I really grew up in the wings of her shows and started playing the piano at around 5, and oboe and clarinet in the school band a few years later. I didn’t start singing until later in middle school and high school, and I remember at 15 the moment I knew what I wanted to do with my life: it was watching an Alicia Keys performance of “If I Ain’t Got You” at the 2005 Grammy’s. She played it on this gorgeous white piano, with an orchestra backing her up, and it stopped me in my tracks! I knew I wanted to work in live music, whether it was singing backgrounds, or working with orchestras, or music directing; I wanted to help make something like that happen. So I applied to Berklee College of Music, and the rest is history!
What are some of your special musical experiences and who have you worked with over the years?
I did an a cappella reality TV competition in college with my college group, Pitch Slapped. We got to work with Ben Folds, Sara Bareilles, and Shawn Stockman from Boyz II Men there, which was awesome. I’ve done chart work and orchestrations for Broadway artists such as Leslie Odom Jr., Eden Espinosa, Karen Olivo, as well as Jennifer Holliday, Josh Groban, and Ingrid Michaelson. As a singer, I’ve sung background vocals for Iggy Azalea, and sang in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes. I’ve definitely done some crazy things, all over the place!
What’s your favorite song to perform?
Hands down, without fail, Proud Mary. I lose about 6 lbs every time we play it, just can’t help but go nuts.
Can you share a special wedding memory?
It was at my own wedding, actually! I ended the night singing “Shout” as a surprise with the band and did a stage dive in my dress. My 6’4″ husband did one right after me, not wanting to be left out. It was definitely a shock for the crowd!
What is the best part of working at weddings?
It’s just an honor to be involved in so many peoples’ most special day, surrounded by their loved ones and celebrating each other, and to have such a big part in the energy of the night, too. You are reminded that even in the ways that we are all different, we are so similar. We all want to scream “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” with our aunts on the dancefloor, we all want a moment to dance with and spin the bride, we all cheer as the groom gets on the drums and whips out a jam from high school, we all giggle and shake our head as the best man’s speech goes on way too long. No matter the moment, you feel that connection with the humans around you, and I just cherish getting to share in the joy of so much love and celebration with so many different people.
What is a quote or lyric that you live be?
The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance. -Alan Watts
