Student Stories: Amira

Everyday stories are being written by every person on the planet. These stories are the actions that we take and decisions we make every day. Hearing someone else’s story can encourage, inspire and unlock things inside of us that we never knew were there. This week’s blog is one such story that we have been a small part of at TMH.

Meet Amira. An incredible, multi-talent musician who is both a student and tutor here at TMH. She has been playing since she was 5 years old and loves all things to do with music.

Introduction

To me, music lessons are vital. Every child should have access to lessons in their chosen instrument. It allows them to be creative, express themselves without having to use words, and help them learn to share feelings and emotions to others. Music is an art that is unique and should be accessible to all.  

I have had music lessons at TMH for 13 years now having started learning the drums at just 5 years old. Growing up in the church, I was surrounded by music from a very young age, and I loved to watch the musicians on stage during times of worship, but I had always been drawn to the drums. I loved the authority that always came with being the drummer, as to me, they had the strongest power to alter and create atmospheres out of all the instruments on stage.

Early Years

Growing up in the church played a major role in shaping my passion for drums, as I was inspired by the energy and joy worship music brought to the congregation and knew I wanted to help create that atmosphere myself. I was fortunate to be taught by Alistair Smith, worship pastor and principal drum tutor at TMH, whom I admired greatly while watching him lead worship during services. Over time, my musical taste and style have developed, though gospel music has remained my favourite, influenced by early exposure through my parents. TMH has taught me the importance of versatility, encouraging me to explore genres such as rock, pop, jazz, and bossa nova, all of which have contributed to my musical identity and helped me develop my own unique sound as a well-rounded musician.

Practice

I can’t talk about growing in music, without mentioning practice. When I was younger, I never saw the value in practice, and really, only did it because my parents told me to! But as I’ve gotten older and made my own decision to want to pursue a career in music, I’ve realised that the only way to develop is to practice. Practice hasn’t always been easy, especially when it’s come with sacrifices, such as missing out on events or hanging out with friends. But looking back over the years, I don’t regret the countless hours I’ve spent over the kit one bit. Another lesson I had to learn over the years, is the difference between “jamming” and practicing. For me, jamming is putting on one of my favourite songs in my headphones and playing whatever I feel over it on the drums. I love to jam, and it’s a great way to express yourself without having to worry about it being right or wrong. But to me, it’s not practice. Practice should be uncomfortable and push you out of your comfort zone. Learning the difference between these two ideas has helped me to not only progress through my musical journey, but also separate my fun, mess around drum sessions from my structured and meaningful practice routines.

Impact on personal development

Having music lessons at TMH are something I’ll always be grateful for. They have taught me discipline, as I know that every week, no matter what, I have a drum lesson. They have been a constant in my life for as long as I can remember, so no matter what else is happening, they’ve always been reliable. They have also helped me to become a more confident person. Being able to play the drums have opened so many doors and opportunities that I wouldn’t have dreamed of without music. I’ve met so many people and made incredible friends, simply through a shared passion for music.

The role of family and community

My parents have always been my biggest supporters through my musical journey so far. They have sacrificed so much to get me to the position I am today, and so I hope one day I’ll be able to give back to them for the way they have poured into me over the years. My dad was normally the one to take me to drum lessons as a child, and as I’ve got older, he now takes me to drum rehearsals and practices across the city. It’s always great to spend time together on car journeys and talk about what’s coming next for me in music. One of my biggest milestones however was when I was able to share the stage with my mom for the first time. She is a singer in a gospel choir based in Wolverhampton, and I loved the feeling of sharing a special moment together with her. My parents have always liked to listen to me play in different venues, and whenever possible, they always make the biggest effort to come and watch. My family's opinion on my performance means the world to me, and I’ve always tried to make sure that music has given us something to bond over and relate to as a family.

My future

Over the years, I discovered that music was the career I wanted to pursue. Eventually, I was able to define the role I aspired to and realised that becoming a professional musician was my ultimate goal. I was drawn to the idea of contributing to people's concert and night-out experiences while sharing my passion for music with others in a meaningful way. Although it can be a different industry to enter, I know that the rewards for your hard work can be rewarding. I hope to travel the world, sharing music with other people, and hopefully inspiring the next generation.

Looking back

Reflecting on my journey as a musician, I see a path shaped by dedication, growth, and incredible support from both me and my family. Every sacrifice made helped turn my musical dreams into reality, and I’m truly grateful for each step of the process. While the journey has been demanding at times, it has been deeply rewarding in ways I could never have imagined. Music has given me a powerful outlet for expression, allowing me to communicate emotions beyond words, and it has played a vital role in shaping who I am today. Along the way, I’ve had the privilege of meeting inspiring people and creating lasting memories through our shared love of music. No matter where this journey leads, I know music will always be a meaningful part of my life, and I encourage anyone to explore it—it has had a profound impact on me, and I believe it can do the same for you.

Amira Marshall

 You can follow Amira's career and progress via her social media profile:

Instagram x7.amira