Su-Elise from Mystique describes her life in a successful singing group

Tell us what you do for a living?

Singer with the group Mystique.

Can you describe what that involves?

A lot of hard work, writing and recording songs, promoting albums and singles.

What do you enjoy about your job?

It is different everyday. It can be unpredictable for example Paris one day and then Scotland the next. I like this about the job

Is there anything you do not enjoy?

Time is not my own. I like to spend time with friends and family but the job is so demanding that we don't spend enough time with them.

Can you describe what a day in your job might be?

If we are promoting a single we are up at 5am. We then go and do a live early breakfast TV interview and performance. We then go and do more TV pre recorded shows. We then grab a sandwich and it's off to do radio shows for the afternoon. In the evening we go to an obscure part of the country for a live P.A and then we go home for about 2 or 3 am in the morning!

What hours do you work?

24 hours a day 7 days a week!

How much do you earn or what is your salary?

We do not get a set salary, you gets bits of money here and there so you have to be able manage your money. For example you may get an advance for an album and then not get any money for months so we have to be careful.

How long have you been working in this area?

I have been with Mystique for 4 years but I started dancing at 3 and singing at 7.

Can you tell us how you got to where you are?

My mum had to work really hard to pay for my sister and I to attend a performing arts school. We went to the Italia Conti Performing Arts school and studied dance, drama and singing. I joined the agency attached to the school and got jobs in theatre shows, which was a great experience. I then focused on my studies and completed my GCSE's and A levels and then started a Business degree. Half way through my degree I met the girls and we created Mystique so I decided to take a year out of University.

Can you tell us about your education to date?

10 GCSE's, 3 A levels, and half a degree in business studies which I would like to finish one day. I also have Lamda ballet certificates and istd certificates in modern and tap.

Can you tell us about any training you have sought/received?

We receive vocal training when we are touring and we work with a choreographer when we do videos and live shows.

Have you learnt any new skills whilst doing this job? If yes, please tell us what they are.

Beat boxing and producing.

Did you come across any problems getting this job?

When we were trying to release our first single it as very difficult to get support from the mainstream media. The mainstream TV and radio shows were not playing our single or video. However we had a lot of support from the underground scene from pirate DJs and the underground club scene. The song became a club hit and then we started getting mainstream support .Without the underground support we would never have succeeded.

Looking back, would you choose the same job again? If no, what would you choose if you could start again?

Yes without a doubt.

Thinking about your personal experience, what advice would you give to someone hoping to follow a similar career path?

You have to work extremely hard and take a lot of knock backs so it's very important to have a supportive family or base. You must never sign anything before reading it and always ask for legal advice. Persistence is the key so never give up and be prepared for hard work.

Do you have an aspiration/goal for your future career?

To do a world tour would be my ultimate aim so our music can be played all around the world