From Texas to Downtown Brooklyn to a role on Netflix, CeCe Keating is one of thousands of artists fighting to make it.
“Coming to New York has always been a dream of mine, especially once I found out what Broadway was; the immersion of acting, singing and dancing,” the Brooklyn resident said.
The aspiring singer songwriter, who just graduated from Roc Nation School of Music, Sports and Entertainment at LIU Brooklyn, recently got a chance to compete on Netflix’s first season of Building The Band, a reality series where gifted singers vie for a chance to form the next great music group sight unseen.
“Being on the show and only [being able] to speak with two other girls, it helped me realize the type of artist I would like to be,” she said. “I found out quickly that my personality and one of the other girl’s personalities would not mesh well together. I would rather be true to myself and inspire others.”
Originally from Frisco, Texas, Keating thinks her skills acquired at a music school in Brooklyn had a lot to do with her getting placed on the reality show.
“I don’t think that I would’ve been on the show had I not gone to the Roc Nation School and realized that I wanted to be a songwriter,” said Keating, who was part of a vocal ensemble called Brooklyn Soul while at school.
The ensemble was created and guided by professors who emphasized harmony, choreography and delivering a polished performance.
“Being a part of the ensemble built my confidence, which made me send my audition tapes from Brooklyn Soul to the show,” she said.
Keating said her songwriting skills developed further after a family tragedy.
“The passing of my aunt gave me the opportunity to put everything that I was feeling during that time to turn it into music,” she recalled.
Although her time on the reality show was cut short because she was not selected to be in a band, Keating said one setback won't stop her from pursuing her dreams to make it as a singer and songwriter.
Like many aspiring artists, Keating currently works in the service industry while auditioning for opportunities. You can catch her at Ellen’s Stardust Diner in Manhattan, where she works as a singing server.
