Kesh singer Hollie (8) writes song to inspire other girls

Hollie McMenamin from Kesh was inspired to write the song by her singing teacher, David Doonan of The Sound Garden in Drumquin, who she started attending for lessons after her experience of performing in the production of ‘Annie Kids’, by Just Stage It Academy, at the Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen.

Hollie McMenamin.

“She was one of the ‘background orphans’ and she loved it, so she wanted to do a few singing lessons. That’s how [her lessons with David Doonan and her own song] came about,” said Hollie’s mum, Mandy McMenamin, explaining that David has given Hollie “so much confidence and encouragement” which lead her to write her own song, entitled ‘I am me’.

“He’s been such an inspiration. He was saying to her, ‘Oh we could do so much here Hollie, you should be writing down wee bits and pieces, you should write your own song’.

“That’s how the idea came about, so she wrote a wee song,” she added.

Hollie McMenamin.

After writing ‘I am me’, which includes the lyrics, ‘This is who I am, who I want to be. I can be anything, anyone that I want to be’, Hollie recorded the song in David’s studio.

“She also made a video that has been uploaded to YouTube, hoping to inspire all little girls with her lyrics,” said proud mum Mandy.

The video, which shows Hollie doing all the things she enjoys as an eight year old such as riding ponies and doing cartwheels, is available to view on YouTube, at https://youtu.be/UCD--Y9nJXA.

Alongside her singing, Hollie is with the Rising Talent Agency for acting and is hoping for great experiences with them. Hollie also loves taking part in beauty pageants in Belfast, with the Northern Ireland School of Modelling.

“Hollie is normally very shy and all of this has just brought her out of herself, wanting to try new stuff. It’s been really good.

“We are super proud of Hollie for everything that she has achieved and she wants to encourage others that anything is possible.”