Shakila Stevenson, who was born Meiske Shakila Serhalawan in the Malukus, Indonesia, came to her love of music and singing legitimately through the influences of her family and the Church . Her special mentors were her father, Johnny Serhalawan, and her uncle, Bob Tutupoly, both of whom were well known jazz musicians and singers in her native Indonesia. Shakila first appeared singing on radio and TV at the age of four, and by the age of 16,was regularly performing in sponsored vocal competitions and local venues. Following her dream to become a professional vocalist, Shakila entered the Asia-wide televised "Asia Bagus" music competition in 1993, and came away with First Place prizes both in the Regional Competition held in Singapore, as well as the Asia Grand Competition which was held in Tokyo, Japan. In 1997, Shakila traveled to Europe where she entered the Golden Stag International Song Festival in Romania, and the International Song Festival in Cessme, Turkey, becoming the Grand Prix winner in both events. Interestingly, one of the contestants eliminated before the finals in Romania was a then 16 year old singer from the U.S.A named Christina Aguillar. The Year 1999 also proved to be a banner one for Shakila as she was named by the Republic of Indonesia as the Country's "Outstanding Vocalist"; and then she was thrilled to join contemporary jazz pianist David Benoit as his accompanying vocalist on his seven city tour of Indonesia. In that year as well, the Academy of Music Indonesia (AMI) awarded Shakila with the best Jazz and R&B singer awards, and she followed that up in 2000 with AMI awarding Shakila with the best R&B Singer award, best R&B Album, and best Video award. Shakila moved to Washington, D.C. in 2000 with her husband, and after taking some time off to have two little girls, she is again actively pursuing her singing career. On any given Saturday now, Shakila can be heard performing as a featured vocalist with the 10 piece band "Time Machine, one of the region's top variety bands. -1997 The Golden Stag International Song Festival in Romania, Grand Prix Winner/ . -1997 Cessme International Song Festival in Turkey Grand Prix Winner/ . -1998 Asia Song Festival in Manila Philippines, Special Award/ . -1999 Best Singer in Indonesia, Conferred by the Republic of Indonesia/ . -1999 DAVID BENOIT INDONESIA TOUR: Accompanying Vocalist/ . -1999 Academy Of Music Indonesia (AMI)Winner Best R&B Singer/ . -2000 MTV Indonesia: Finalist-Best Video/ . -2000 Academy Of Music Indonesia (AMI) Winner-Best R&B Singer+Winner-Best R&B Album+Winner-Best Video/ . -2002 Howard University Summer Camp.