Shannon Nicole Feiman

Shannon Nicole began plunking the keys at just three years of age; formal lessons soon followed, but she admits she wasn't very good at playing what someone else wanted her to play. So Shannon forged her own path, following the music as she heard it inside her head, letting the words pour from someplace deeper than her heart. What resulted was a blend of contemporary and classic, as Shannon incorporated the soulful style of her gospel influences, with the sounds of more modern, piano-driven songstresses such as Sarah McLachlan and Fiona Apple.

From teenage home recordings to a deal with Universal Republic, Shannon never lost sight of her target - or, rather, targets. "I only had 2 goals growing up," she reveals. "The first one was a major record deal, the second was diving with great whites." She smiles warmly. "Sometimes I still can't believe I've come this far and how much I've accomplished," she continues humbly. "It's just crazy how many talented people are out there that won't ever get this kind of opportunity. I'm just enjoying the ride. It could go away tomorrow, so I'm cherishing every single moment."

Her down-to-earth nature comes through in both lyrics and performance; onstage, she radiates personality and accessibility. Anyone can do this, she seems to be saying. Anyone, who closes her eyes and ears and opens her heart to the music inside.