April 9, 2019

Meet Janie Dailey

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Janie Dailey.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
At a young age, I gravitated to the arts, (history, culture, writing, music). I grew up in a musical family and art and music were valued. Growing up in Los Angeles California I was blessed to be near so much culture, diversity in music, food, and people. I studied piano from age 6 and eventually got the opportunity to move to Phoenix Arizona to pursue my degree in music. After graduating with a Bachelors in Piano Performance, I was a little terrified of what to do next. Staying in Phoenix was my first great decision.

Please tell us about your art.
I am a pianist, composer, and instructor. I currently teach piano both from home and with a non-profit music academy that I helped start a piano program for. I previously made music for commercial/television, and right now I am just focusing on becoming a better teacher and instructor. I occasionally write custom compositions for projects or couples getting married to play for their wedding day. I find a lot of joy in collaborating. As a composer, I find myself in a creative slump often and getting projects with other artists or doing something for someone else gives me motivation and inspiration.

For my personal creative work, I like the idea of making something just because being creative is special and ideas are unique to each person. I am in a place now where I want to be authentic to what I can do, my capacity, where I can grow and what I want to pursue. I want to let go of pressure I put on myself to “perform” and strive more toward being a better person, wife, mama, and let whatever I create be what it is.

As an artist, how do you define success and what quality or characteristic do you feel is essential to success as an artist?
This question is tough because I think success needs to be defined by each individual for themselves. I think I have given “success” too much power in my life at times. I believe success is a balance. I think the idea of “success” can drive us into unhealthy expectations and being inauthentic at times.

However, in my work, the way I define success is always striving for growth and being resilient through mistakes. As a teacher, I work with under-served youth and kids who have had hard lives. Having the privilege of teaching them something that makes them happy is a constant balance of inspiring them while still challenging them and listening to them. Success for me is striving to be altruistic in everything I do.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Either through my website, janiereneemusic.com. Or through my Instagram page @porlesonmusic

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