What is the best thing that I love about my work?

To begin with, my work is my passion. There’s nothing greater than finding your life’s purpose, and then having the opportunity to make that your work. Music is mine. I’m so grateful I get to use my talents and skills to make a difference and bring happiness wherever I can. I love to compose music for others and see their vision come to light. I love to create music audiobooks for children and see their happy faces when they hear the stories and I love to entertain people as a musician.

What is my idea of perfect happiness? 

Inner peace and joy, good health and being able to do the things I love whilst surrounded by kind, loving and supportive people.

What is my greatest fear?

In the past, I think it was not fulfilling my full potential but I feel I’m doing that now.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? 

OCD! I have a strange even/odd number thingy going on which affects everything I do, from music editing and production, to counting the number of tomatoes in my salad!

Which living persons in my profession do I most admire?

I admire those who remain humble despite success and money. I admire people who want to help others achieve their goals and who offer support. After all, we all had to start somewhere!

What is my greatest extravagance? 

Red wine and dancing! When combined, I am a particularly ludicrous, flamboyant groover on the dance floor! I blame this on years of not dancing after I gave up my Ballet career because I decided never to dance again. One day I grew up, and since then, I’ve been making up for lost time!

On what occasion would I lie? 

I don’t feel the need to ever lie. I really can’t think of a situation!

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work? 

To be honest, I enjoy every aspect of what I do. From the endless admin for my business, to the long studio sessions, rehearsals, recording, I love it all. I’m such a nerd!

When and where was I the happiest, in my work? 

That’s a very difficult question to answer! Every album, every recording or project I am involved in is a unique experience. I’ve had some truly amazing moments on stage, but I can also think of times when I was alone, in my studio, where I composed a piece of music that made me fill up with so much pride and joy. Sometimes, the happiest moment, is when no one else is around and the music just flows out of your head so effortlessly, it feels like magic. In that moment, it’s pure happiness.

If I could, what would I change about myself? 

My inability to flip a pancake without making a complete mess!

What is my greatest achievement in work? 

Again, a very difficult question to answer. I wouldn’t be able to single out one, because I have had quite a few but as an overall, my greatest achievement was becoming a professional composer and starting my own business – Music Audio Stories. I am extremely proud of this.

Where would I most like to live?

I’d like to live somewhere a bit warmer than England, but I love living in London. It’s one of the best places to be if you are a musician or composer like me. So much diversity, culture and art. I’d like to have a holiday home in Italy one day.

What is my most treasured possession? 

I don’t like the idea of treasuring possessions but to be honest, I do have quite a few! I have three large draws full of my Ballet shoes, archives and diaries which date right back to my childhood. I’m also pretty precious about hard drives because they have all my music on!

What is my most marked characteristic? 

I am very persistent! There have been many times in my life, when people have criticised me and my ideas concerning my band. I stuck to my guns and in the end it paid off. I practice what I preach. Never give up on your dreams.

What is my most inspirational location? 

I can compose music in any location, in any state of mind, at any time of day. Music just seems to naturally flow out of me. I don’t think musicians necessarily need an inspiring view or location to write songs or music. Of course beautiful locations can inspire music but generally music is kind of an inside job. For me anyway.

What is my favourite place to eat and drink, in my city? 

At my friend’s house! She’s also a singer in a band and we always have such a great time together. She’s an excellent cook and I love her two cats Lucy and Merlin.

What books influenced my life and how? 

Tales of Mrs Hedgehog – Stories by Susannah Bradly/Illustrations by Kate Lloyd-Jones. I absolutely loved this book when I was little! My mum used to read me the stories and I remember looking at the pictures and wishing that I could live in Henrietta’s Hobbit style house. Hamlyn Wonderful Fairy Stories in Colour – Re-told by Lornie Leete-Hodge/Illustrated by Beverlie Manson. My bedtime story book. I believe both books opened my imagination to storytelling. It’s no surprise I have become a children’s storyteller really!

Stories From The Ballet (Cathay Books) – By various writers and illustrators. Every Ballet dancer, at some point in their young life, will have a book with stories from the Ballet. I was no different! I would read it under my covers with a torch at night in my dormitory at school. The style of the illustrations in this book influenced my artwork.

Who are my favorite writers? 

Roald Dahl, Lewis Carroll, Charles Dickens, Jane Austen.

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen to on my last day?

You can’t ask a musician this! It’s impossible to answer!

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?

Wonderwoman!

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life? 

My hero has got to be my brain surgeon Dr Kevin O’Neil. Without him, I wouldn’t be here. In fact, all of the amazing people in service and volunteering to help save lives, fight crime, put out fires and fight for us to have a better world. They are the real heroes.

Which movie would I recommend to see once in a lifetime?

Police Academy!

What role plays art in my life and work? 

Art plays a fundamental role in both my life and my work. Music, art, theatre, film and fashion are inextricably linked.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime? 

My partner in crime is fellow producer/musician Adie Hardy. We work together on so many amazing projects. We set up and run Music Audio Stories – producing groundbreaking new fun and educational audiobooks for children. My greatest fans are the ones who follow my band. They are truly the best!

Whom would I like to work with in 2018? 

Directors looking for film scores, entrepreneurs wanting to record their programs and meditation albums (because I also love to write meditation music) and anyone who needs music for interesting projects.

Which people in my profession would I love to meet in 2018? 

They say it’s never good to meet your idols but I would love to meet John Williams!

What project, in 2018, am I looking forward to working on?

My band is releasing the third and final single from our second album Strength & Grace with a music video. That’s super exciting for me! I loved making our first two music videos last year and I can’t wait to make another one. This year I’m working on a Music Audio Stories book series and I’ll be doing my Story Time sessions with children all over London in schools and libraries as well as other wonderful places. Plus there’s a bunch of other exciting projects coming up. It’s going to be quite an action packed year for me.

Where can you see me or my work in 2018? 

You can listen to my music on my website here – www.annachristinamusic.com and find links to all of the projects I am involved in, including my band. You can find information and samples of my children’s audiobooks here – www.musicaudiostories.com.

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me? 

No matter what life throws at you, never give up. Don’t let the passion in your heart die, keep going…

Which passionate professionals should Peter invite to tell their story? 

Mirela Sula, the founder of Global Woman magazine and Global Woman Club, and CEO of ‘The Business Woman Today’, an online network exclusively for women in business. Gulrukh Khan, the international film maker and the wonderful founder of Design Your Ship Andreea Vasily.

How can you contact me?

I can be contacted via my website here: www.annachristinamusic.com.
There are links to all my social media channels from this website too.