Meet Tiana Longmire | Singer, Vocal Arranger, Vocal Coach & DJ

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tiana Longmire and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tiana, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
In the past couple of years, especially, I’ve come to realize that if I’m still here, I should keep going. I think there’s a difference in giving up or deciding not to pursue something after experimenting and realizing that it’s just not for me. In terms of giving up, however, the thought usually only occurs after I feel discouraged. So on the days when I feel discouraged, I allow myself to feel that, but I also try to remind myself of other times in the past where I felt the same way, but the next day (or a few days later or however long), I was overwhelmed with inspiration. Frustration is going to happen, but there are also the beautiful, inspiring moments to look forward to in the future.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am an R&B/Soul singer, vocal coach, vocal arranger, and DJ from Southeast Colorado Springs, CO. In most settings, when I’m asked about my career in music, I always say that I’m a singer first since I’m 23 now, and I have been singing since I was 2 years old. Though singing is what I’ve been exposed to the longest, my first job – at 13 – was actually as a DJ for my family’s business, Longmire Audio Engineering, a position I still hold today. In addition to being a DJ for my family’s business, I am also the entertainment coordinator. Music has always been a part of my life – I grew up around my mom (who also sings) and uncles in bands, and my dad and sister also DJ and provide live audio engineering. Though I’ve been singing since I was very young, I didn’t get more involved with it until I was in about 4th grade, which is when I joined choir at school and eventually the choir at the church my family was attending at the time. From 4th grade through 12th grade, I remained in school choirs, participating in solo and ensemble competitions and the 2015 Colorado All State Mixed Choir as well. I went to Sierra High School and graduated in 2016. In my junior and senior years of high school, I got involved in musical theater, playing the roles of Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors and Toinette in The Imaginary Invalid, respectively. While my choir experience was mostly enjoyable, I did end up having a different choir director almost every year since 6th grade, which was a little frustrating and is what prompted me to pursue a career in music in the first place.My initial goal was to go to school in Greeley at The University of Northern Colorado and get a degree in Music Education so that I could become a choir director since I didn’t want future students to have the same inconsistent experience that I had. Shortly after being accepted and admitted to this program, however, I decided that this was no longer the career path that I wanted. It seemed fitting, initially, but I decided that I would rather go about pursuing a career in music more on my own terms rather than going by the requirements of a full-time music major.

After my first year in Greeley, I moved back to Colorado Springs, transferred to UCCS in the fall, eventually changed my major to math, and adopted a double minor in music and economics.  In 2017, I started training classically in voice with Haleh Abghari during my first semester at UCCS and have continued taking lessons with her since then. Around this time (late 2017/early 2018) was when I started taking singing more seriously outside of education and decided to actively pursue a career in music again, but this time first marketing myself only as a Singer and DJ. It felt more authentic to go about a career in music this way, as these decisions were allowing me to pursue my dreams with more freedom.

As a singer, I’ve been doing freelance gigs around the city either by myself or whenever I’m able to link up with friends. On my social media pages, I typically post videos or short clips of covers that I’ve recorded of some of my favorite artists’ music. For the most part, I sing lead or solo pieces, but I also really love singing and creating background vocal arrangements. When I started getting into recording around 9th grade, one of the first things I taught myself how to do was pick out harmonies in songs that I knew and recreate them by layering my own vocals. Since then, that has been my favorite part of recording and is a good chunk of what I like to promote online. A few years ago, I got together with one of my friends to record lead vocals on a cover, and when I got home, I asked him if it was okay for me to add anything to it. This was the first time I tried my hand at arranging vocals from a blank slate, and I realized that this was something I really enjoyed doing. Not long after this, I was blessed with opportunities to create vocal arrangements for an artist I was introduced to through one of my mentors, as well as some close friends.

Prior to COVID-19, one of my friends and I had a monthly gig at a local Starbucks, and in 2019, I competed in the Omega Talent Showboat and ended up in a three-way tie for first place. In 2020, I was also in a production of HAIR at UCCS as Ronnie, singing lead on “Aquarius” before everything shut down for a while. I will say that while many people found inspiration in their art during periods of lockdown, it was honestly the opposite for me. I have always been a more introverted person, and get energy and motivation from taking time to be alone, but with just about everything at a halt, and that time in my life being a very transitional period, I think the initial shock of it all is what made it a little more difficult to stay inspired. I don’t remember how it happened specifically, but one day I just got a spark and had to remind myself that even with live/in-person events at a halt, I still had access to tools to create and work on my art. I started recording again, posting here and there, and continued taking voice lessons virtually with my instructor at UCCS, which helped me get a lot of that inspiration and motivation back.

About five months ago, I got a position as a vocal coach at the Colorado Springs School of Music, and I have been absolutely loving it. Being able to share what I know and see my students’ progress is so rewarding, and I’m loving that while I’m still performing and recording, teaching still found its way back to me.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Garden of the Gods would definitely be our first stop. The drive up is always beautiful, and the park itself is breathtaking every time. Throughout the week, I’d recommend some spots downtown like COATI, The Wild Goose, a cocktail bar, etc. Really anywhere we can find live music and potentially grab a drink. On the Southeast end, there’s also Club Tilt, which has great food, drinks, and music, so I’d try to get there on the weekend. We’d definitely have to make some stops in Manitou Springs and Old Colorado City. Up to here, it might sound like I know what I’m talking about, but I have to be honest; I’m really a homebody who is just now starting to explore more, so I’d be doing more Google searches than I’d like to admit and asking other friends where we should go! I do know there are some hidden gems in this city, though, so I’d try to find those and show them off.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have been blessed to have so many people in my corner over the years – teachers, mentors, friends, family, etc. I specifically want to dedicate this shout out, though, to my parents, Woody and Doriena Longmire. My parents surrounded me with music and art from the very beginning and introduced me to the music that inspires me to do what I do today. I am forever grateful to have parents who support just about every endeavor I pursue, and I cannot thank them enough for their love, support, and encouragement.

Website: https://linktr.ee/tianalongmire

Instagram: instagram.com/longmiremusic

Twitter: twitter.com/longmiremusic

Facebook: facebook.com/longmiremusic

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC58MwJPuSbmFIuhyXhpth2Q

Other: Email for inquiries/booking – tiana.longmire2@gmail.com

Image Credits
Photo from HAIR: Isaiah Downing