Jenny AluningFor Danelle Sandoval, StarCentral Magazine’s Female YouTube Artist of the Month for April 2013, being a performer is “one of the most rewarding and humbling experiences I’ve ever had…” She remembers after one particular performance, a total stranger, moved by what they had just seen and heard, came up to Danelle and asked her: “Can I just hug you?” “Out of all honesty, it was the most meaningful remark I’ve ever received. Knowing that my music had really moved this person was so incredible.”
Photo by: Anna Vorontsova
Music has been a part of Danelle’s life ever since she was born. According to her mother, her first cries when she first emerged from the womb sounded more like singing! Her first public performances were alongside her mother when she was 6-7 years old as they sang duets in church. “From there, my open mic enthusiasm and performance-driven interest sparked!” By the time she was 10 years old, she was writing her own songs and by 12, she was playing the guitar. Now she is an established “coffeehouse college student musician” with an incredibly successful YouTube channel which is approaching the 2 million mark in video views and has just over 9,000 subscribers! But for the 21-year old, her driving motivation to continue to perform goes beyond her passion for the music. She strives to be a positive “…role model to the little ones in my family (my little sister and little cousins)…I want to show them the examples of accomplishing your dreams, never giving up, always following your heart no matter what anyone else says, and just being yourself…” She is also inspired by the privilege of being able to share her music with others – “…seeing people smile, connect, and confide in my music is what truly keeps me inspired to perform… as an artist, witnessing the audience positively respond to my music was absolute and pure delight…”
Photo by: Marc Estrada
Photo by: Anna Vorontsova
The future is bright for this multi-talented Southern Californian, especially with the unflinching support of her family and friends (“…their constant encouragement has made me become even more passionate about my music…I love them so much and can’t thank them enough…”) and that of her faith. Danelle plans to soon launch a Kickstarter campaign to fund her first EP and to continue to post videos on YouTube, “…I feel so blessed to have such supportive subscribers, they’ve always been there for me!” And to add to her list of talents, she is due to compete in “…Donald Trump’s Miss California USA 2014 pageant and will be representing UC Berkeley!” Really?! Where else could this young lady go??
YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/DanelleSandoval
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/danellesandovalmusic
Jason Harris
Jenny Aluning
