Twenty-seven-year-old Bekah Eden is Virginia Beach singer/songwriter, musician and recording artist that is impacting the world!
Originally from Southern Virginia, she has emerged to a platform that allows her to share her stories with the world through her music. She studied Music Education at Old Dominion University, and later gradated with a B.A. Then, in the summer of 2008 she was signed locally to produce a pop album entitled “Unexpected,” on the Dream21 label with Grammy Winning Producer Curtis Key.
In 2010, Eden began to work as a successful small business owner under Bekah Eden. Inc., offering traveling music instruction to students locally. From her efforts, she has received much acclaim for her music. In fact, Eden is the winner of the 2012 Malibu Music Best Upcoming Female Artist Award for her reputation as a well known cause artist.
Meet Bekah Eden, a gifted and highly acclaimed artist! RIZZARR is highlighting how she uses her music to support organizations that connect with the vision and purpose. (Photo courtesy of Bekah Eden)
Currently, she is working for charitable organizations such as Harvesting Happiness for Heroes, a national pending 501(c)(3) non profit organization, benefiting post combat veterans and their families, challenged with the invisible symptoms of PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) and TBI (traumatic brain injury).
Her amazing accomplishments and drive to use music to promote greater causes prompted RIZZARR to feature her on the site! We hope you enjoy the interview, and also check out her music!
INTERVIEW WITH RIZZARR
1. Congratulations on your award as the 2012 Malibu Music Best Upcoming Female Artist! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself Bekah?
Absolutely! I am a twenty-seven year old Cause Artist. I began taking music lessons at age nine. However, my love for music began as a toddler. Over the years my love and devotion to music has changed. I began to find self worth, purpose, healing, confidence and direction through learning, writing, singing, teaching and simply being committed to music. Now, I’m convinced that part of my calling in life is to making a difference through my music.
2. How did you first get involved with music in general?
Education. My family has teachers, performers, and composers on both my Mother and Father’s side of the family. It is truly wonderful to be surrounded by a tribe of musicians. My Parents decided to invest in my musical skill by enrolling me in private lessons. From there I began to participate in church and school programs and competitions. In 2007, I began to study Music Education at Old Dominion University. In 2009, I graduated from the ODU music program and decided to start my own Music Company, Bekah Eden Incorporated. The rest is history in the making…
3. On your website, you talk a bit about songwriting as a teen and how that helped you sort through your experiences during that time. Has music always been therapeutic for you and how did that experience contribute to songwriting as a career?
Yes, truth be told, I’ve been a composer since the age of four. I often found myself gravitating to the piano to find sounds that I liked which translated into a true love for composing and writing songs. As a teenager, I remember driving down the road with one of my best friends saying, “One day I’m going to write about everything that has happened to me while living in this small town… One day, I’m going tell these stories.” Almost ten years later, I did just that.
In 2008, I was signed to a local label, Dream 21 Music. In 2010, we released my very first album, “Unexpected,” on Amazon. That album was a healing experience for me. Although, since then I have evolved in my writing style and direction, I’m grateful I had the opportunity to release my “Adolescent Days” at that time in my life-it was my journal for the teenage experience. As far as my career goes, I have always recognized songwriting and music composition as one of the most powerful mediums in the entertainment world. Together they express the deepest thoughts and experiences of both the writer and the listener. It connects complete strangers in a unified emotion and it is something I am dedicated to as long as physically possible.
4. With your long history in music, what was the point in your career that you decided that you wanted to become an inspirational songwriter for nonprofits?
After “Unexpected,” was released I went through a stage of true soul searching, which isn’t always easy or fun… I knew I wanted to do music, but I didn’t know what that looked like. I wanted to feel proud of who I was when I went to bed at night. Unfortunately, the pop stuff didn’t satisfy my deep desire to make a difference. One day after A LOT of self-reflection, I realized something… I knew I would never be “great,” at music if I didn’t completely believe in what I was singing about. It’s one thing to just write songs… It’s another to write songs that you believe in and are extremely passionate about sharing.
I want to be a voice for the voiceless, and that is exactly what I’m going to do. Early on in my musical journey I was feeling compelled to write military songs, because I absolutely love the military. What they sacrifice for our country is absolutely remarkable, and I want to bring them honor… So, now I’m on the path to making a difference through my music and for the causes I’m partnering with. I have never felt more passionate about what I’m doing and the new songs that are coming into fruition through my cause based career.
5. Your songs have reached so many listeners over the past couple of years and touched your fans. What is the process you go through when building an inspirational song for an organization or cause?
Through many life experiences, I believe my love of songwriting to be a gift. I’ve realized I have a very big heart. When I see something that looks wrong to me, I want to fix it. My goal as an artist and songwriter is to write songs that heal the world. . .I think that is my deepest inspiration. When people listen to my music, I want them to feel loved, remembered, important, and worth something. I truly believe that when a person’s motives are rooted in the right stuff, inspiration is never an issue. So, the process has everything to do with the posture of my heart. When my motivation is based on helping others, creativity always flows effortlessly.
6. Recently, you worked on a fundraising theme song called In Between, with national 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization Harvesting Happiness for Heroes, working with spouses and family members of wounded warriors and veterans coming home with PTSD. We always hear inspirational songs for organizations on TV and the radio, but never really think of the process the artist goes through to create the song. How did you get involved with inspirational songwriting for organizations?
As a cause artist, it is my job to connect my songs with organizations that support the vision and purpose behind the music created. Working alongside other businesses is something that evolved pretty easily after I decided the path I wanted to take with my artist career. One open door led to another, and before I knew it, I was writing for a company I felt compelled to partner with and help. Moving forward, working with like minded companies is the goal for all of my inspirational songs. There is truly something powerful that happens when you pare purpose driven music, to purpose driven companies.
7. What compelled you to do a song for Harvesting Happiness for Heroes?
I have a heart for the military and wanted to give back through my music… For about a year before I was presented with the opportunity to write for HH4Heroes, I pursued different opportunities to write military songs. One day, I met someone who connected me to the right person, and it’s been a wonderful experience ever since. I believe in the HH4Heroes program and I am honored to be working with that campaign.
8. You are also working on a song called “Love you Forever” about the adoptive experience. The amazing thing is that you don’t have any adoption ties yourself, so for you to be able to write powerful songs about situations that you are not closely connected with personally must have been a challenge. Was the process difficult for you to write through?
No. That part came easy. Internally I’ve faced a lot of issues that have given me the ability to write in-depth songs about trauma and other experiences. My grandfather served in the military and I have many friends who served and/or have spouse who are active in the military.
I’ve been around military families quite intimately over the past few years. As for the adoption experience, I was able to write a fundraiser song for a local benefit over a year ago for a family adopting two Russian girls. I was so moved by what the family was doing for the girls, that I was burning with inspiration. I wanted to write a song that spoke to the situation and would serve as a reminder to all who has ever felt forgotten or unwanted. “Love You Forever,” is a beautiful ballad that truly speaks to the heart of all those looking to be loved.
9. As Veterans Day approaches, what has been the reaction of the military community who has heard your song?
Lots of crying… My fans say that all my songs are heartfelt and lead them to tears. Maybe one day Kleenex will be my sponsors.. lol! I have a lot of positive responses. Most people are able to feel my heart, and that makes them connect with my music and myself. A lot of people feel very emotional, some feel inspired. The best of all these reactions is the fact that I get to build relationships with people who have significantly sacrificed for our country… Being able to give back to the military is one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had. I have the utmost respect and adoration for all troops who serve.
10. What do you hope that the community as a whole takes from your song and also from your music in general?
Importance. I want people to hear my music and feel thought about, cared about, loved, hopeful, peaceful and comforted. My heart is to write songs that reach the unreachable and dare to be different. I hope the songs speak to the matters deep within people’s hearts, and give them the courage to face themselves and strive to be better in all areas of life.
VIDEO OF EDEN’S SONG “IN BETWEEN”
11. Bekah Eden, Inc. also offers instructional teaching and music behavioral therapy. What is behavioral music therapy?
Behavioral Music Therapy is learning how to channel one’s emotions through songwriting or playing music. It’s learning how to express all emotions in a healthy and productive way.
12. Can you tell us about the experience you had performing your song for the Wounded Warrior Project veterans last year at the HH4Heroes retreat?
It was absolutely life changing. I had the honor of performing at the Sundance Resort it Utah last fall for the Wounded Warrior Project. I absolutely loved every second of this experience. I was able to talk with some amazing military couples and hear their war stories. Those veterans are some of the most humble people I’ve ever met. They were so grateful for my song. It brought me to tears to see their response to, “In Between.” It is truly those moments that help me to know that what I’m doing is very significant.
13. You have a long history with music, what is your favorite part of being an artist?
Singing in front of people and helping develop talent in other artists.
14. How were you able to take your experiences in a dark place and turn them into something positive?
That is the story of my life… When I sit down at my piano, or with my guitar and write/play music, it is honestly one of the only places I can go and feel untouchable. It is a sacred place of brokenness and joy. No matter what I face in life, there is always one place I gravitate toward that helps me deal… Usually, if I am facing a dark situation, I figure out what I want to say, and say it in a song. If it’s a happy situation, I do the same… It’s all about the message of the song… Once I get in touch with what I’m truly feeling, and what I really want to say, the rest is easy…Music is therapeutic in helping me work through the dark spots and bring them to light. It is an extremely positive situation for me.
15. Where can listeners hear more of your music, and download “In Between” to help our wounded warriors?
Listeners can find my music on itunes, amazon, cd baby and spotify by searching Bekah Eden.
To stay in the loop on the most current news in the life of Bekah Eden, you can connect with Eden over Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace.
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