From Opera to Nursing: The Inspiring Journey of Shireen - An Immigrant's Tale of Art, Music, and Resilience

Introduction

Meet Shireen, a remarkable woman whose journey through the worlds of art, music, and caregiving is nothing short of inspiring. Originally from India, Shireen’s passion for opera and Western classical music led her on a unique path that traversed continents and careers. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance, cultural fusion, and the relentless pursuit of one's dreams, even in the face of adversity. Join us as we delve into Shireen’s background, cultural influences, challenges, and triumphs, and discover how she blends her artistic passions with her role as a full-time nurse.

Facebook Photo shared by Shireen

Background and Inspiration

Can you share a bit about your background and what inspired you to pursue a career in the arts and music?

Shireen: My dream was to pursue a career in the arts. I could not really do this as I was interested in opera, and India was not home to many conservatories. I made it a point to keep however singing while doing my journalism job in India. When I moved to America, I was lucky enough to get a job singing as a cantor at church while raising kids. This carried on until Corona when I decided to do something worthwhile with my life instead of being dependent always on my husband. I then chose to come to Germany and pursue nursing. Now I am a nurse and sing in the church.

Cultural Influences

How have your cultural roots influenced your artistic expression?

Shireen: My paternal grandma was half-Scottish and was blessed with a beautiful operatic voice. From then on I found the operatic style of singing mesmerizing and moved on to take private lessons and take music voice exams. I often questioned why I had to be born in India and fall in love with Western classics. If I had an affinity for English -(Indian classical), I could have landed somewhere. Everyone in my family is musical, and I am the only one who sings only in English. Based on my looks, no one can tell what would come out when I start singing. In America people did not expect me to speak English and wanted me to sing Bollywood at audition. When I sang musical Theater, they were flabbergasted but still put me in the ensemble due to my nonwestern looks and accent. So even though my Indian roots should have influenced my artistic expression, my family, especially my Indian grandma, did, and culture did not play a role.

Challenges and Triumphs

What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as an immigrant in the arts community, and how have you overcome them?

Shireen: As mentioned, even if I were not an immigrant, people want to think through their eyes. As an Indian immigrant in America, I often got denied roles based on my looks and accent. As a German immigrant, people tend to view me as a refugee and as a parasite to society. So far, I have not explored German operatic grounds because I live in a small state where there are not many opportunities. People have, however, paid me for singing at christenings and have been pleasantly surprised. To make a judgment on German challenges in the arts, I need first to test those waters fully.

Creative Process

Could you describe your creative process? How do you begin creating a new piece, and what inspires your work?

Shireen: Nature inspires me the most when writing words or music. I like to be outdoors, walking or skipping. When the weather is cold and rainy, my creativity suffers.

Integration of Cultures

In what ways do you blend your native culture with that of your new environment in your art and music?

Shireen: Even though I appreciate Indian classical music, my operatic training ruins an Indian Bollywood song and creates the wrong vibrations while attempting Indian classical music. I am proud to be an Indian and try to incorporate this through Indian attire when I perform.

Photo Shared by Shireen

Community Impact

How do you think your work impacts the community around you, particularly other immigrants and local artists?

Shireen: I am now a full-time nurse and take care of the aging German population in an old age home. The impact was greatest during the pandemic.

On the side, I sing for the anglophone community ( Ghana community) in church. Here, I meet many immigrants like me, and we help each other by sharing our challenges and blending them in harmony.

Representation in the Arts

How important is representation in the arts, and what do you think can be done to improve it for immigrants?

Shireen: Representation is a necessity in any field, and especially in the arts, to keep one going. Being successful in any art is difficult, and contacts especially play a role. Nevertheless, many immigrants have made a mark in their field of art. I always look to join groups with like-minded people in our community and give and receive benefits by recommending them and vice versa.

Advice to Aspiring Immigrant Artists

What advice would you give to other immigrants who are aspiring to make their mark in the arts and music?

Shireen: Be determined, stay strong, and develop a thick skin to accept criticism. Keep your expectations low so that when something good happens, it's a surprise.

Future Projects

Are there any upcoming projects or performances you’re particularly excited about? Can you share some details?

Shireen: I now sing for small occasions like baptisms, weddings, and funerals. Or I sing for the oldies in the home I work for. Singing in every way and at any place brings me joy and is an occasion.

Facebook Photo shared by Shireen

Legacy and Impact

Looking ahead, what kind of legacy do you hope to leave with your artistic work?

Shireen: I wrote, and I sing. ( I used to be a journalist and still sing). My main writing aim is to empower immigrants to think out of the box and muster enough courage to step out of the dirt. As far as singing goes, I may be called a shaky artist. I shied away ( deterred) from following my dream and changed tracks to follow a practical approach to life to no longer keep music as Main-Stream. I would like the world to remember me as a practical artist who decided to blend caregiving with music to bless people with a better life.

Conclusion

Shireen's journey is a powerful reminder that dreams can evolve and passions can be pursued in various forms. Her story is one of resilience, cultural fusion, and the unwavering pursuit of personal fulfillment. By balancing her love for music with her role as a caregiver, Shireen not only enriches her own life but also impacts the lives of those around her. For aspiring artists and immigrants, her advice and experiences serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration. To read more about Shireen's story and insights, you can follow her blog on Medium, where she shares her experiences and thoughts regularly.