Today we’d like to introduce you to Ariel Avilez.
Hi Ariel, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, let’s briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I have been in the creative industry for as long as I can remember. When I was a little girl, maybe three or so, my mom used to put on fake concerts for me in our living room. I would come out blazing with some prop as my mic, and my aunt would make all my cousins and brother put all their attention on me-I was always with family. It didn’t matter the day; we were always together. I never thought how much those little moments would mean to me now.
Chasing your dreams is tough, and just when you think you have gotten the hang of things, something else makes you shake a little bit. My mom put me through all the finest workshops, mentors, coaching, etc. I even went to an art school for elementary. And even with all those teachings, I still learn how to master my craft every day. I know at somepoint I wanted to be famous for singing and dancing, but as I got older, I learned fame isn’t my goal, and it started to shift-the more work I put into my craft, the more I knew fame wouldn’t do justice, for all the passion and time and effort I have put into my dreams. I have fallen and made mistakes, given up, quit, worked with the wrong people and been rejected- all of the above. I recently was pushed into a season of ‘No’s,’ Those seasons never stop coming and going, and they are always tough pills to swallow but over time, you start to respond to them better no matter how much it bums you out. One of the hardest no’s I had to get through. I pushed harder for the next one. I just sat and thought, what would I tell my kids if they came home to me saying their talents were told it wasn’t (in that panel’s perspective) good enough? That instantly changed my perspective to keep going. It’s important to take criticism and adjust accordingly, and simply understanding you aren’t everyone’s cup of tea is big too.
Many factors keep me going, I firmly believe this love for creating God put on my heart for a reason, and I get glimpses of the reasons when parents of students reach out to me telling me how much of a difference I am making just by teaching their kids how to sing. That means everything to me: being a resource and a positive one and being a creative influence is the cherry on top. I want to coach others on how to perfect their craft but also provide them with resources on how to chase after their dreams. i.e., competitions, televised tv shows, local shows, how to prepare for them, what panels look for in submission videos, etc. After building so many connections, I told myself I would do things differently once it was my turn to teach.
I am a singer-songwriter with a Christian publisher that I write music for monthly. I am a vocal coach and a month away from releasing my album, and I am so excited and emotional to hear what all my listeners and supporters have to say about it!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I have never seen a smooth road in chasing my dreams, and I don’t mean that negatively. Starting, I had to learn a lot. Learn how to pick quality people to work with truth, and I had to understand that well-known people may be better people to work with. I have had music stolen and kept from me, and I have been made feel like my talent isn’t talent at all or being seen for only my appearance rather than my creativity. The list can go on, but every day gets easier and better and you get stronger and more firm on who you are and what you have to offer the more obstacles life throws at you because you continue to practice defending yourself.
I am currently at a stage where I can feel good about charging for my services. That has been tough for me because I want to help and be a part of someone’s creativity, but it also takes time out of my day, so I have to charge for my coaching or performances. I have learned that someone who values your craft and what you have to offer, amongst others, will respect what you charge. You should be able to maintain that, especially if it isn’t in your heart to compromise it- and what I mean by that is I have provided discounted rates where I know it makes sense. You will learn the difference between someone who desperately wants to work with you but doesn’t have the means to afford it and someone who simply doesn’t think they should pay, and those are two completely different types of people. I am a new mama of two, and every day I am learning how to show them endless love and be the example that chasing your dreams is always possible and the title of being a mama never stops, and it’s always worth it.
Please tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others.
One of the things I am most proud of is landing a publisher in the songwriting industry. I always needed to be more confident to say, ‘oh. Let me write a song’ and now writing music is my favorite thing to do. I also, of course, write my music, and I am a vocal instructor using speech-level singing techniques, and I implement my twist in my lesson consistently. I critique and prepare my students for auditions and performances. Another little gem I am proud of is that I have written and published a book, and I hope to release a second one soon. All these things I have been able to do under my company’s umbrella, ‘Stvdio Concepts,’ which means a lot to me since that means I manage and own all my work out right, and I hope to continue to teach others how to do the same for their craft. I am set apart from others because I don’t offer coaching or advice and leave you to fend for yourself. I provide ideas. I work with my students and try to research for them outside their booked sessions. The biggest thing for me after growing up was my mother, and I had to research and figure out how to get my name out there, and I always told myself I wanted to do more for my students. I wanted to send them home with resources after their lesson so they could remain inspired and encouraged and continue dreaming because they have a team backing them.
Are books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
‘What happened to you?’ by Oprah was a great read, and currently, I am casually reading ‘What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty. I wish I had a podcast or blog that I habitually used, but my faith and reading scripture is the only thing that comes to mind when it comes to what I typically read during my downtime. I am a faithful believer in God, and if it wasn’t for that, I don’t think I would have made it this far.
Contact Info:
- Website: Stvdioconcepts.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Itsarilexx/
Image Credits
Luna Marie for outdoor and studio photos
