Meet Dalanie Harris | Writer, Podcaster, and Content Creator

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

Hi Dalanie, how do you define success?
I define success as being able to prioritize what’s most important to you in life with minimal obstacles. While we all have responsibilities and things that come up unexpectedly, I’ll know I’m successful when my obligations no longer have the power to usurp the things I want to do and experience in life. To me, success is having choices.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My career has always been about making connections in unexpected places. What I’m most proud of so far is my podcast Classically Black, which I started with a friend while studying music performance in college. We focus on the intersection of classical music and Black culture — two things that many would not normally associate with each other. Developing the show pushed us out of our comfort zone, but it really showed me the value of taking full advantage of the resources around you and not being afraid to ask questions. As college students, we relied on so many campus resources and friends to get the ball rolling and that set us up for success once we became more independent.

Now, in addition to Classically Black, I’m excited to take my love for music and Black history and culture to new heights. I want to highlight the stories behind the music that has enriched the lives of millions by making music history and research more accessible through social media and digital platforms.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to shoutout the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles. ICYOLA fostered an important foundation for me as a musician by showing me how to connect my interest in classical music and orchestra to my love for Black music and culture. Playing in an orchestra that actively celebrated the music of Black people was really beneficial for me in my teenage years. This connection has informed how I’ve approached my work over the years — from my podcast Classically Black to my TikTok platform Books About Music.

Website: https://www.classicallyblackpodcast.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanieday/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dalanie/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DalanieHarris

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/classicallyblackpodcast

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo6CdDAvC6OnZJjUm1opSeQ

Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@booksaboutmusic

Image Credits
Richard Desinord