Today we’d like to introduce you to Shari Mocheit.
Hi Shari, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I graduated with a BFA in Musical Theatre from Western Michigan University, then quickly began my professional performance career in Chicago, Illinois. I have been working in the entertainment industry for almost 20 years now and am so grateful to have performed in such remarkable productions with theatres such as the Drury Lane Theatre, Tokyo Theatre Orb, American Music Theatre, Porchlight Music Theatre, Theatre at the Center, the Eldorado Showroom in Reno, Tipping Point Theatre, and many more. I have been blessed in booking commercial, print, and film work all over the country, and I performed as lead vocalist for cruise lines such as NCL, Seabourn, and Crystal Cruises.
Within the last few years I have branched out into what’s known in the cruise industry as “Guest Entertainer” or “Headliner” work, which means I get to perform my own shows, and my latest project has me over the moon excited! I have produced, directed, and choreographed two brand new shows that I am so proud to introduce to the world!
We are a powerhouse vocal trio called Féroce. The French word for “Fierce”. These women are so talented, so extraordinary, and real triple threat performers. I feel so humbled having the opportunity to work with such a high caliber of talent and these women inspire me to be better and reach higher every single day. We perform a wide range of genres, including but not limited to: pop, rock, soul, funk, disco, electro-swing, jazz, Latin, Broadway, and so much more!
One of our shows entitled “Retro Remixed” is filled with entirely new arrangements and reimagined versions of the audience’s favorite songs. Our other offering entitled “Féroce: Live in Concert” is a mix of all the greatest hits from the past fifty years. These performances offer something entirely new, fun, fresh, and exciting for audiences of all ages!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The entertainment industry is of course filled with countless rejections. Never ending submissions, grinding, and auditioning is the day to day reality. That said, as disempowering as relentless rejections can feel, I have found over the years that taking matters into my own hands by bringing my best to every opportunity, maintaining a positive outlook, and leaving everything in the audition room has helped me to keep moving forward. Casting is such a puzzle with hundreds of factors to consider, not just a performer’s talent or look. Sitting on the director and choreographer’s side of the table has helped me really see and understand that. There are so many talented people in the world, so just because someone may not have been right for a specific project, certainly does not make them any less talented. My own frustrations within the industry led me to create Féroce, because I wanted to create more well-paid job opportunities for fierce and fabulous women. I also wanted to create something uplifting, inspiring, and so much bigger and brighter than anything I could do or create on my own.
I love performers, and I love my career. I feel so blessed to be able to do what I do for a living. And I truly believe that gratitude has pulled me through plenty of difficult seasons and dry spells in terms of work. Sometimes I feel my stubbornness or unwillingness to give up is really my greatest contributing factor to any success I have achieved. Not giving up can sometimes feel like a superpower. There are plenty of times when any sane or normal person would (or should) have given up, but my mom calls me “scrappy” because I believe that strong determination and sheer will alongside my positive attitude are my largest reasons for still performing and doing what I love after all this time.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I work in a wide variety of areas within entertainment. I am so passionate about most creative endeavors. I love everything from acting, singing, dancing, directing, choreographing, video and photo editing, fashion, makeup, painting, and the list goes on! I have mostly made my living from the first five crafts on that list, though I have worked with all of these skillsets in different facets and productions over the years.
I vivaciously love life, adventure, traveling, and making people laugh! I try my best to see life as a precious gift and live every moment to the absolute fullest. My friends have dubbed me “SLAY Mocheit” and “Shari More-SLAY”. My last name is pronounced “Moe-SHAY” so it sounds pretty catchy. Haha! My favorite nickname I’ve received came from an interview I did with the legendary Max Volume, who has been on air at 105.7 KOZZ-FM radio in Reno since 1982. His nickname for me was “The Sorceress of Song” because I sang such a wide range of genres and material. That was a name I was so flattered by, especially from someone who is so entrenched in the music industry to call me live on air, which definitely was a special moment.
Every performance, creative endeavor, and gig I have ever worked throughout my entire life has led me to this “Féroce” moment. I am so grateful to Kayla Kennedy and Domonique Foster, two beautiful women inside and out, and brilliant artists in their own right, who have placed their faith in me and have come along on this crazy adventure to make these shows the best they can possibly be and bring something uplifting, inspiring, electrifying, and of course so much fun to audiences globally! I am also so grateful to our composer and musical arranger Dennis Daye, who has also had many sleepless nights helping us bring these productions to the stage and make them stellar!
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
As a child I was actually incredibly shy believe it or not. Which is hard to imagine now as an ENFJ adult who LOVES being around people and thrives in social settings. I was a competitive gymnast for 10 years, though once I started theatre at age 14 I was completely “bitten by the bug” as they say and have been hooked ever since.
I am so grateful to have grown up in a loving home in the Metro-Detroit area with three awesome brothers. My parents worked so hard to provide a good life for us. I have always been drawn to anything creative, whether that’s music, art, dancing, or any outlet where I found various ways of expressing myself. I am grateful that my parents allowed me to follow my heart and my passions, as it has led me literally all over the world and brought opportunities I never could have imagined. I have been blessed to perform in downtown Tokyo at the Theatre Orb, on ships traveling to every continent, Chicago, to Reno and everywhere in between! Theatre absolutely brought me out of my shell and comfort zone, and I would not be the woman I am today had I not discovered it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ferocemusic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/feroce_music/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FeroceOfficial/
- Twitter: https://x.com/Official_Feroce
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Feroce_Music
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@feroce_music
