Samone Outerbridge is the subject of this month’s People of Faith in Bermuda feature. Mother, teacher, songwriter, singer and musician, Ms Outerbridge pours into her family and community, sharing her musical talents and joyful personality.

Ms Outerbridge, 38, wants to bring joy to those around her in everything she does. “I am a music teacher and I teach at Somerset Primary and Port Royal Primary schools,” she said.

“I am also the children’s choir director for Hamilton’s Seventh-day Adventist Church. I am a musician, and I am also a singer. I may lead out in praise and worship, do solos, and play for funerals on the piano or organ.”

In 2023, Ms Outerbridge released her first self-titled gospel album on iTunes and performed her first solo concert. The process of compiling the music for the album and preparing and putting together the concert was the fulfilment of a calling God had placed on her heart for years.

“It was a long process,” Ms Outerbridge said. “I didn’t write specifically just for the album. I write and go into the studio mainly because I like to do it. I wasn’t planning on putting out an album; I enjoy going into the studio and recording; I enjoy the process of writing.

“My dad has always encouraged me in music – he is probably my number one cheerleader. He is always on top of me to get it done, and God too. I compiled the songs I’ve written over the years and finished it.”

Ms Outerbridge is looking forward to beginning the process of writing new material and planning another gospel concert in the future. She started her journey in musicianship at an early age, with her talents being recognised and encouraged by her aunt, Gayle Taylor, who began giving her piano lessons at the age of 8. Around this time, Ms Outerbridge also began to explore songwriting and sang and played her first song in her home church at 10 years old.

Ms Outerbridge continues the legacy of influencing the younger generations and fostering musical talent. “The one thing I want to spread is joy,” she said. “I want to impact my family, the children I teach, my co-workers, and my church, and I want to bring joy, happiness, and a sense of peace and love. Even amid chaos, I still want to bring joy because the joy of the Lord is my strength.”

A member of the Hamilton Seventh-day Adventist church and identifying herself as a “church girl” who was “raised, brought up, and learnt music in her church,” Ms Outerbridge describes her faith as a “big part” of who she is.

“I read the Word every day. I go to church whenever I can. God and I have to be connected. I strengthen my faith every morning; I wake up, pray, and do my devotion and Sabbath school lessons.

“I love having a close relationship with the Father because it has sustained me through some hard times. My faith has to be strong so I can survive all that is happening in the world and give Him that praise and glory for having that closeness with Him.”

Sharing how life impacts her faith and vice versa, Ms Outerbridge said: “As a mother, teacher, daughter, sister, and friend, I try to lead with integrity, I try to be helpful, I try to listen.

“If I cannot help them in any way but to listen, I’ll do that, but more than that, my go-to is prayer. Being a single parent, I need all the help I can get, and I don’t always get it right.

“Yes, you have moments where you feel like you are failing, but my faith says, ‘Tomorrow is a new day’, ask for forgiveness, repent, and get up and try again. So, each morning, when I go to the Father, I ask Him to help me be a better person than I was yesterday.

“Because at the end of the day, you have to have hope. You can’t always be down on yourself, and you have to have hope that today is brand new. And I love to start fresh.

“Every day, you must start fresh with your faith, start fresh as a parent, and build on the good things. And yes, when you look at the bad things, you can learn from them; they become lessons. I learn from my lessons, and I build on the strengths.”

Asked about the most valuable lesson she has learnt, she said: “Give yourself grace; you’re never going to be perfect, but God gives us grace day by day. In anything I do, music, parenting, teaching, church music, it doesn’t matter what it is – give yourself the grace to grow.

“One of my favourite texts is 1 Peter 2:9: ‘But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.’

“And so, knowing from where I came from, in darkness, and knowing that he has brought me to the light, I give myself the grace to say that this journey wasn’t made in one day; it takes a lifetime to get to where God has me, and I’m not where I used to be.

“Also, to be grateful. Gratitude is a must, even for the little things, and even for the bad things that happen because they shape you, make you, you learn the lessons, you move forward, and you give God the glory for it all.”

Asked for words of encouragement for the community, Ms Outerbridge said: “Pray. Pray about everything. Pray if you’re sad. Pray if you’re happy. Talk to God and make Him your best friend.

“Prayer, reading God’s word, and journalling are my go-to. Also, therapy helps; trauma does not have a face; life happens to all; we all have some type of trauma or experience that has given us a bad taste of whatever it may be, but don’t let that pull you away from praying to God, reading His word, undressing his direction and purpose for your life.”