Brisbane EMP graduate Elesia Iimura’s music career is on the rise after the release of her debut single ‘Believe’.

What inspired you to enter into the career you’re in?
A combination of my musical upbringing and my own personal inner urge to pour my love into creating and inspiring through the one thing that everyone can enjoy and relate to; music.

What are your fondest memories of your time at SAE?
The bond and connections that I made with the students and lecturer. Human connection is the most important and valuable thing to me. It is a big part of what drives my music. I also loved our sessions about learning the almost unlimited ways to put on a good live show where we learnt how to jam to our own composition off Ableton using the mixing desk.

Are you able to shed some light on how studying at SAE lead you to where you are now?
Studying at SAE certainly contributed to where I am now with my music. Although I was already writing and producing, it really helped me hone in on the areas I needed to work on, it opened my eyes up to many genres and sub genres which influenced the sound for my debut single ‘BELIEVE’ and it gave me the confidence I needed to take my music to the next level.

What are your career highlights?
Performing as the supporting act before my childhood idols Boyz 11 Men and KC and JoJo at Enmore theatre and Suncorp Piazza was such an honour. Making my first music video was one of the most exciting, hectic and enjoyable experiences of my life so far. I loved challenging myself to deliver the rawness of the emotive vocal on camera. The release of my debut single has to be the major highlight. It has definitely been a whirlwind of positive things happening one after the with TV and radio interviews, photoshoots and preparations for many more exciting things to come so stay posted!

What projects are you working on at the moment?
I’m always working on fresh material, usually two or three tracks are on the go. I do have a few major projects on the horizon, some very exciting stuff! I will be headlining at Marquee nightclub in Sydney over the October long weekend. Follow me on Facebook to stay posted!

What advice would you give to students aspiring to become successful in their field?
Stick to what you’re good at. Keep your ears, mind and heart open, but always tune inward to what feels right for you. I have had many opportunities over the years which would have driven this journey in a completely different direction but I always managed to keep strong and stick to what is natural to me in terms of my music and musical style which has ultimately brought me to where I am now.