I'm Zara, stage name: "Chasing Leaves," and I am a singer, songwriter and musician.
Whilst I am still in the early stages of my career, I am already starting to gain traction within the music industry e.g. I am now being invited to perform on increasingly larger stages, and I have had several original songs aired on local radio (Forest FM and BBC Introducing).
Currently, I am a student and in the final few months of my music studies (a bespoke 'home-education' course), where I am further progressing my instrument playing and singing abilities; general music knowledge; songwriting; composing music; recording/mixing; music related technologies and software; social media; etc. On an average week, I spend around 37 hours a week on these studies and in addition, I get out and develop my live performance skills e.g. Open Mic events and Showcases, Busking, Carnivals, Festivals, Concerts, etc.
In my spare time, I like to be creative and make things like jewellery, clothing and handbags, and I also like to get out hiking and doing water sports (albeit that in this final year of studies, I have not had much time for leisure activities). I'm also learning to drive and hope to get my license soon.
All of the learning may appear like a heavy burden but in reality, I truly love music so the days just fly past all too quickly.
Highlights of 2025 include: -
My first outdoor festival performance (CrownFest).
Performing a set at the 'Into the Jungle' concert, staged at the Old Fire Station (Bournemouth).
Performing a set the 'Live and Unheard' concert, staged at the Lighthouse theatre (Poole).
Winner - Original Music Awards 2025 (Best U18 category).
Building up a collection of original songs (I hope to release an album in 2026).
It has been an absolute pleasure to work with the people who organise, promote and run the events mentioned above, and the many specialist sound and lighting technicians and logistical staff, who make these events work like a well-oiled machine.
Note: I would also like to give a big shout-out to both the hosts, and the venues, that run OpenMic events. They offer an opportunity for people like myself to get out of our bedrooms and home-studios, to practice and hone their performing skills. The support from the hosts, singers, musicians and audiences, has been truly amazing.
What's next?
My aspiration now, and has been for many years, is to become a full-time professional singer, songwriter and musician. I don't consider this to be a whimsical and unrealistic pipe dream, but more of a natural evolution from when I first began piano lessons at the age of six. From the outset, I really enjoyed learning how to play piano, and over the years I have simply enhanced this enjoyment by adding other instruments, singing, music recording and song writing. All of this learning and practise has led to my most favourite aspect of music... "performing live and entertaining audiences"!
Being realistic, I don't really know what my future truly holds (who does?)... "all I can do is work hard, seek out opportunities, and try my very best to enjoy every aspect of the journey"!
Why Chasing Leaves?
Like most young kids, I really enjoyed larking about with my friends and on a windy day in Autumn, running around the playground 'chasing leaves' was brilliant fun. On the face of it this may appear to be a pointless form of entertainment but in reality, it's an inclusive activity that's dynamic, energetic, exciting, noisy, *relatively harmless, and it makes young kids happy... so how can you knock it?
*relatively harmless - Ok, so there will be a few falls, scuffs, bruises, crying, and the occasional holes in trousers.
Personally, I want to capture some of the spirit of chasing leaves into my music, but adapt it to captivate a broader audience e.g. the young, the old, and everyone in-between.
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