Meet Symira Dixon | Musician & Actress

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

Hi Symira, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Well, I’ve been singing for the public since I was six or seven years old. From that point on, I have sung in many choirs and worship teams. As I grew in my passion for singing and music, I joined the Jefferson County Academy of Theatre and Dance to train myself in theatre. Once I became a junior in that academy, my entire life changed. I began to discover who I was as a person and began to write poems about it. Having both worlds of theatre and music began to change my artistic journey in such a creative way. I carry a journal everywhere I travel; whenever my senses are triggered by something I like or would love to have/do for my art, I write it down. The reason I’m in the Performing Arts is to make people joyful. Our society lacks a sense of fresh work that uplifts each other. Tearing each other down and being negative has become society’s “normal.” I don’t want to create work that draws negativity- I want to create music that uplifts you and makes you aware of the world we live in. Honestly, I believe 2025 will be the year of new beginnings for me as I begin to create new music of my own along with covers from my favorite artists. I love the arts and the arts love me.

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 currently working on releasing music covers from my favorite artists on YouTube! My covers will range from having themed music videos to recording live music with young adults at my university. I want to build a strong foundation/brand and gain a decent amount of listeners from my covers before releasing my music. The covers will reflect my artistic style and personality- that way, people will know in the first few seconds if they will support me for a while or not. I will be covering many musicians’ songs, but my top artists are Stevie Wonder, Ella Fitzgerald, Cleo Sol, Samara Joy, Erykah Badu, and Claudia Isaki. I have always wanted to create content like this, but I feared that my peers would judge the creative twists I put in my work. However, I’ve learned how to grow out of that negative thinking and instead put my work out there for the world. I am so excited to work with my peers in Savannah and Alabama as I create new takes on songs.

While I was in high school, I did not have the best experience in my theatre program. Yes, I got into many shows, but I didn’t feel comfortable with the negative energy that the building held. High school was also a weird phase for me because I was trying to work on my self-confidence while some people wanted to tear it down. I continued to stay in my theatre program because I wanted to build my resume, but there were many times I wanted to leave and give up. I felt worthless, overworked, and underappreciated when I was giving my all to that theatre program. When I was to the end of my junior year, I began to work with other theatres around Birmingham, Alabama- best decision I ever made. The directors and teachers I worked with created a beautiful atmosphere for everyone. For the first time in a while, I felt like I could truly express myself 100% in the theatre world. Pushing myself to find work outside of my high school theatre made me realize my potential and the wonderful talents God has gifted me with. After I graduated early December of my senior year, I left my theatre program for good (with a deserving trophy in my hand) to continue working with other theatres and build my craftsmanship in writing. This was a hard decision I had to make for myself, but I was always taught to leave the things that were not healthy for me. I am forever grateful for the experience I had at the school, even with the hardships. It taught me what I needed to know to succeed while showing me the positives and negatives of being in this demanding field of performing.

I want the world to know that I am an imperfect being wanting to represent Christ and be a positive light in this world. Being a positive light does not mean that I will always be happy, but I will rejoice with all the opportunities God has given me.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Since I live in Birmingham, Alabama and go to school in Savannah, Georgia, I’ll just give out my favorite places I have discovered and gone to so far.

Birmingham, AL:

Local Eats: K&J’s, The Southern Kitchen And Bar, The Rougaroux, The Filling Station

Sights/Events: Birmingham Museum of Art, Red Mountain Theatre, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Railroad Park

Savannah, GA:

Local Eats: Java Burrito, Simple Soul of Savannah, Strange Bird Savannah, Flying Monk Noodle Bar

Sights/Events: Forsyth Park Farmers Market, SCADstory, River Street, Broughton Street, Jazz Festival

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give thanks to God for putting me in the position I’m in today! I couldn’t do this without His wonderful works. Thank you to my mom, grandma, and little sister for being my number one supporters and shoulders to lean on. I pour my gratitude out to them every single day. Thanks to my SCAD family, Performance Ensemble, Church of the Highlands (Woodlawn Campus), and my beautiful friends for cheering me on through my artistic journey and joining me on this beautiful ride. Although I cannot list everyone’s name, I love the support I get from each of these individuals.

Website: https://symiradixon.wixsite.com/symira-dixon

Instagram: symira_isoul

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@symira_isoul

Image Credits
Caroline Dean
Bridget Marsh
Marley-Bob Pezant