Meet Samantha Ramsdell
Like many artists, I have been singing since and performing since I can remember. My dad was an opera singer and was really involved in the church, so I remember singing in church when I was as little as 6 and taking piano lessons at the age of 7. I am from a small town in Maine so there wasn’t a ton of opportunities for performers, but any chance to get on stage at local community theatres, sing in girl choirs, sing the national anthem at local games, take singing lessons and dance lessons, you named it and I would do it. My dream was always to be a professional singer since I can remember. When most kids were playing sports, going to parties, and hanging out with friends, I was either at a rehearsal, lessons or performances.
When I turned 17 and it was time to discuss college, deep down I really wanted to go to music school or go to the city to follow my dream of being a singer. But my parents and community were very apprehensive to doing anything outside of the norm, so I was told to go college and get a “realistic” degree like Business or Communications and get a “normal” job because singing was only for fun, not a career. So I quit singing, went to business school, got my degree, and got a job in Corporate Medical Sales. My corporate job brought me to Stamford but I found myself becoming severely depressed, I gained 50 pounds and started taking up drinking regularly, taking prescription meds and smoking up to a pack of cigarettes a day.
After almost 8 years of not singing or performing at all and becoming almost a shell of myself, I worked with an energy healer who saw the reason I was so lost was I was not practicing what I loved. I started singing lessons the next day, posting my journey on social media, and now a little over two years later I am a professional singer and performer. I’m the lead singer of the “9 of Hearts” Dance Band, I train with Manhattan Comedy, Upright Citizens Brigade, and Groundlings in improv and stand up comedy, and regularly takes the stage in both regional and Off-Broadway productions. Most recently, I released my first original single “Can’t Be the Only One”, now available on all streaming platforms, and was named one of the “Top 5 New Internet Comedians to Follow in 2020” and a “New Rising Artist to Watch” by New York Weekly.
Oh absolutely not! Especially including an international pandemic and civil uprising! But some of my struggles included definitely not listening to “societal norms” and following what I love to do (hence my transformation story above). Since I didn’t have the music degree and have just started up again in my late 20’s I feel very behind and have had to work my butt off over the last couple years.
I’m a singer, songwriter AND comedian that likes to use all three to create some really unique music and content. I was supposed to have my first One Woman Comedy and Music show in NYC on May 1st but due to COVID, hopefully now in early 2021! I have a big city voice with a small town feel, and I love showing that although there are times we may stray from our true self, finding your heart again is using the detours in your journey to fuel your growth and heart even more. I aim to build a world where comedy, music and vulnerability collide. Also being named one of the “Top 5 New Internet Comedians to Follow in 2020” and a “New Rising Artist to Watch” by New York Weekly was amazing as well.
I define success by being able to do what I love as my full time career and inspire as many people as possible to also go after their dreams. Honestly, if I can have my own show be successful and tour Nationally, that would be the absolute dream. I’d also love to write a book one day on my story to pass on what I’ve learned by taking risks, not being afraid to fail and going after what I love most.
