Artist Essay:Music Found Me At A Very Young AgeBy Stefanie Michaela
- Dead Horse Branding
- Nov 22
- 4 min read
Earlier this year, SWT introduced Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Stefanie Michaela via a premiere of the music video for her song “Found In You”. She has continued to release new songs this year, leading up to the spring release of her latest EP, Turning Pages, including the recent single “Anything Is Possible”.
You can watch the music video below:
A press release for the song describes it as a “fearless statement about resilience, belief, and second chances…the single’s message, ‘believe to achieve,’ captures the heart of Stefanie’s story: that the real magic begins when you trust yourself enough to try.”
It was co-written with Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Steve Dorff (Barbra Streisand, Kenny Rogers, Celine Dion) and multi-platinum hitmaker Michael Jay (Martika’s “Toy Soldiers,” Celine Dion’s “Falling Into You”), and produced by Grammy-winner Keith Thomas (Selena, Amy Grant, Vanessa Williams).
“Stefanie’s journey is one of perseverance, a lifelong artist who paused her career to raise her family and who’s now returning to music with a renewed sense of purpose,” the press release continues. “Her upcoming EP, Turning Pages, explores themes of self-belief, transformation, and chasing dreams no matter the odds.”
Below, she pens an exclusive essay for SWT about her love for creating music and her current balance between life and music.
Because of everything I went through in the music industry, I never truly thought I’d reach a place where I could get married, have a family, and still incorporate music into my life while actually feeling whole.
For a long time, I felt lost. I knew something was missing, so I tried to fill the void with day-to-day activities like lunches, workout classes, and organizing things at home, but none of that satisfied the passion I was missing. Deep down, I knew that to be happy again, I would have to dig deep within myself, and honestly, that was a scary thought.I’ve learned that sometimes things fall into place when you least expect them. That’s what happened to me. An opportunity came along, and I had to make a choice: either take the leap or say that my music career had ended years ago. Part of me didn’t want to go back because I didn’t want to experience the same hurt I’d felt before.
But I decided to take the chance. The moment I stepped back into the studio, it felt like I had never left. Something inside me lit up again, and for the first time in a long time, I felt whole.
I’ve never been happier to blend my passion for music with my personal life. It has brought a new kind of love into my marriage and given me more to share with my children. They can now see that passions never truly go away; you just have to nurture them instead of letting them fade, as I once did. I used to believe I had to let music go completely, and that was a mistake. I missed out on years of creativity and fulfillment, but I believe everything happens for a reason. This is my time to feel again, to be exactly where I’m meant to be.
I’m now in what I call my comeback era, the new Stefanie Michaela journey. Not the baby Stefanie Michaela, but the woman I am now: someone with life experience, past relationship struggles, and countless stories to share through my music. I want people to see that it’s never too late to chase your dreams. No matter what stage of life you’re in, you can always start again and feel alive, like you’ve hit the reset button.
I have several singles out now and plan to release my EP in the spring. My goal is to perform as much as possible and connect with others through song and shared experience. I want to show the world that no one is perfect, not in how they look, act, or live, and that’s what makes us human.
Right now, I feel like the best version of myself. I don’t want to waste my days worrying about my looks or my body, as I once did when I felt I didn’t meet certain standards. Instead, I want to embrace who I am, give everything I’ve got, and put it all out into the world. Because in the end, it’s about me, my family, and the love and passion I get to share with them, and now, with the world.
Anything is possible if you believe in yourself and set realistic expectations. For a long time, I held myself to impossible standards, but I’ve learned that small milestones bring the greatest joy. What I’ve accomplished in the past few years, things I never thought possible, has made me so proud. And feeling proud of yourself is an incredible thing.
Working with legends like Steve Dorff, Michael Jay, and producer Keith Thomas has been a dream come true. Creating a song that brings my story to life is every artist’s dream. This song is magical, inspirational, and filled with hope. It’s a reminder to never get stuck in routine. When you bring your passion into your days, life becomes more vibrant. Your moments, your conversations, even your confidence all grow stronger.
I hope this new song reaches people’s hearts and inspires them to find what makes their lives more meaningful. I truly can’t wait to share it with the world.
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