April 19, 2022
MMC: Tru believes there is a way to gain a deeper connection with others solely through music
Tru The Saxophonist also known as Ariana Stanberry is a multi-instrumentalist from Groton, Connecticut. She discovered her love for the saxophone at a young age and has stuck to it since then. She is currently working on producing original music, and her biggest goal in life is giving back to the Jamaican community, black women’s community, and black non-binary community.
How did you start making music?
I’d say music comes naturally to me and my family. A lot of people in my family are musicians, including my parents, so I was raised very musically. Growing up I went to church and my dad was the chore director there, so I was always surrounded by music in some way. I started learning the djembe while I was a child and living in Jamaica. When I moved to the USA, I got the opportunity to learn to play the saxophone at school, when I was around 9 years old. I’ve been playing the sax since then. I’ve also explored other instruments such as trumpet, piano, violin, and many others. I decided to stick to the saxophone because I feel a special connection to the instrument. During high school, I decided I had to pursue music in college because I couldn’t see myself studying any other subject. I graduated last year from Berklee college, and now I just want to explore my artistry and see where that will take me.
Right now, I’m trying to put more energy into creating more original songs as I’m looking forward to releasing more original music this year. In addition to that, I’m committed to giving back to my community, especially musicians within the Jamaican community, black women’s community, and black non-binary community. This year I’ve also launched a scholarship that goes towards donating and financially assisting any black girl saxophonist, black woman saxophonist, and black non-binary identified saxophonist. Right now, my two main focuses are to give back and inspire other people by creating my original content.
What genres do you do?
I’ve played everything, to be honest. I was trained in classical music and jazz, and then I branched out to do more popular genres such as R&B and pop. I’d say my favorite genres right now are afro beats, reggae, and dancehall. I believe I’m just kind of attached to those as their sound represents part of the culture and history of my community.
Do you also compose songs?
I do like to write songs. As of now, I have 4 singles that are original songs, which I did write and compose myself. I love creating melodies and chord progressions! And, as I’m a saxophonist, most of the time my songs are instrumental. So, I definitely need to work more on my lyrical content. I consider myself a songwriter when it comes to creating melodies and harmonies.
Are you a full-time musician?
Currently, I’m a hundred percent doing music, while also a hundred percent doing side hustles. Right now, as we speak, I’m working as a substitute teacher at a local elementary school during the week, and on the weekends, I teach the saxophone and do occasional performances. Hopefully next summer I’ll be one hundred percent a full-time musician, that’s my goal.
How did you find out about Make Music Day? And how was your experience performing at Make Music Day?
I heard about Make Music Day through CulturedAF Studios in New London Connecticut. They told me about the event and asked me to be a part of it and celebrate with them. I had a wonderful experience! In this area of Connecticut, there is not necessarily that much music going on and I’d say that we don’t get to experience the spontaneous aspect of music. So, I loved Make Music Day and found it beautiful for the community here to have a day to get together and celebrate music. It felt very nice as a musician to see everyone getting to enjoy and appreciate music.
How would you describe what music means to you?
Music to me is just an opportunity to express yourself in another language. I know it may sound cliché, but I believe that musicality is a literal language. As a musician, I believe there is a way to communicate with other people emotionally and mentally through melodies, harmonies, scales, riffs. I firmly believe there is a way to gain a deeper connection with another human being solely through music.
April 16, 2022
Make Music Champions: Mr. Boy Wonder, raised by DJ parents and surrounded by music, is now an amazing rapper
Mr. Boy Wonder is an artist from Salem, Oregon. He grew up surrounded by music and nowadays he’s a rapper and is working on some amazing new original music. His goal in music is to make a difference in people’s lives and be a full-time musician.
How did you start making music?
I’ve been pretty much up around music since I was born. Growing up my parents were DJs, and from age 3 I was going to different gigs like weddings, birthday parties, and basically, anywhere that includes a DJ. I learned how to work the equipment at a pretty young age, and I’d always end up singing and dancing and kind of performing at these random events where my parents would gig at. So, I’ve always been around music, and I’ve always loved it.
And what type of music were you surrounded by when you were a kid?
My parents liked everything, but I’ve always been into rap and hip-hop. The first rap song that I genuinely remember hearing was The Way You Move by OutKast. That song used to just keep me going as a kid.
As an artist now, what genres do you like making?
I love rap, but I also love R&B very much. So, I’d say rap and R&B are my main two genres. Although, I try not to box myself as an artist, because I like experimenting a lot with music.
You’re a songwriter, do you also like making covers?
Yeah! I used to do a lot of covers and post them on my social media. I used to do it once a month or every two months. I’ve kind of ventured away from that, not because I don’t like doing covers, but because I’ve been busy making my music. But I do like making covers and I believe they’re a fun way to promote yourself as an upcoming artist.
How did you find out about Make Music Day? And how has your experience been with Make Music Day?
I think I found out about it by seeing posters in downtown Salem. One day I looked it up and signed up to participate. The experience was super awesome. Salem is not a super big city and there are not many super exciting things going on all the time, so it was really cool to see so many people from so many different backgrounds and genres coming out in the middle of summer, setting up stages in front of storefronts, playing music and people walking around and enjoying it. I played like 17 songs and had a great time!
How would you describe what music means to you?
Music is genuinely everything to me. There is not a time during the day that I’m not listening to music. I’ve personally been through some pretty rough times in my life, and I don’t think I’d have been able to get through them without music. It also gives me purpose and allows me to give purpose to other people. Music is just everything to me!
What would you say is your goal in music?
My goal in music is really to make a difference. I honestly think the sky is the limit. I want to make a difference in people’s lives and to make a living for myself. I know my hard work is going to pay off so I’m sure I’m going to achieve everything I desire with my music.
April 13, 2022
Make Music Champions: Salvo’s music is a wonderful fusion of diverse genres from the Spanish-speaking world
Salvo is a Spanish guitarist and songwriter from Brooklyn, New York. He plays a fusion of Flamenco, Latin, Classical, and World Fusion. Currently, he is working on creating more original music, and his goal is to connect with wider audiences and inspire people.
How did you start making music?
My dad played the guitar and he taught me a little bit of it when I was a teenager. When I was in high school, I got into a guitar program in which I learned about playing classical and Spanish guitar, and I also got into the guitar ensemble. Then, I mainly taught myself as I was really interested in it. I moved out to Los Angeles and started taking private lessons and basically just kept playing the guitar every day ever since.
What genres do you do?
I specialized in Spanish guitar and I’ve played some classics like flamenco, and even a little bit of Argentinian music too. My music is kind of a fusion of music from the Spanish-speaking world.
Do you only play guitar? Or do you play any other instruments?
I play a lot of different instruments. I play some piano, bass, drums, congas and hand percussion, ukulele, etc. I’m a full-time music teacher in New York and I like studying everything.
Is music your full-time occupation?
Yeah! I work as a teacher but also do a lot of performances in the evenings and on weekends.
Do you mainly focus on covers? Or do you also work on songwriting?
I have two albums out. The first one, which I actually created with another artist called Hugo, is half covers, half originals. The second one is called ‘Solo’ and it’s all original songs created by me. It’s got some instrumental, rumba, flamenco, and also some singer-songwriter stuff too.
How did you find out about Make Music Day? And how has your experience been?
I think some of my friends told me about it. I knew about Make Music Day for a long time before I participated in it, and when I finally got the chance to participate, I had a wonderful experience. I liked that it was outdoors and that people were singing along, dancing, and clapping in the traffic. I love the experience of not knowing who is going to walk past you. This year is probably my seventh year participating in Make Music Day!
How would you describe what music means to you?
Music is a means of expression, and it’s a means for me to share my human experience with others on a very deep level. It’s really about connecting with the audience and sharing an experience of what it is to be human with them.
Finally, what would you say your goal in music is?
I want to keep playing and growing as a musician, developing my technique, creating more music, singing and performing more, engaging with larger audiences, and connecting with people who hopefully I’ll inspire in some way. My goal is really to connect and help people with my music.
April 12, 2022
Make Music in 100+ U.S. Communities
After a cold and dark winter, a record 100+ communities across the US are gearing up for a summer celebration of music on June 21!
New Make Music Day chapters have launched this year in Alabama, California, Georgia, Missouri, North Dakota, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin, with large-scale celebrations now planned in every part of the country, joining over 1,000 international Make Music cities.
April 12, 2022
Young Composers Contest with The Swingles
The Make Music Alliance is thrilled to announce the third annual Young Composers Contest, in partnership with world-renowned vocal group The Swingles.
Composers aged 13 to 21 are invited to set the text of the poem “A Jelly-Fish” by Marianne Moore to music for The Swingles. A panel of distinguished judges will select a winning composition, which will be recorded by The Swingles and released on June 21 for Make Music Day.
The submission deadline is May 22nd – full details are available on our website. Please spread the word among students and young friends!
April 12, 2022
Make Music Partner of the Week: Rhythm Band Instruments
Rhythm Band Instruments, makers of the pitched hollow plastic tubes called Boomwhackers®, have supported Make Music Day every year since 2016, including a donation of over 300 instruments for Make Music Winter this past December 21 (pictured above).
On June 21 they will be back at it, sending over 1,000 recorders, Boomwhackers, and assorted percussion instruments around the country for participatory Make Music Day events.
Thank you RBI!
April 11, 2022
Make Music Champions: Dani Usero has a great passion for versioning songs melodically on the ukulele
Dani is a multi-instrumentalist from Barcelona, Spain. He started playing drums and guitar at a very young age and picked up the ukulele at around 21. He has dedicated most of his life to studying music. His greatest passion in life nowadays is versioning songs on the ukulele in melodic out-of-this-world ways.
How did you get started in music?
As a child, I generally showed signs of musicality. I remember I had a unique sense of rhythm, which I think is where my interest in music began. At the age of 14, I started playing the drums, which was my first instrument. I spent three years taking drum lessons, where I learned all the fundamentals of the instrument. Also, around the age of 15, I got my first guitar. Around 18, the guitar was taking a little bit more prominence in my life over the drums, to which I had dedicated several years of hard study. Eventually, the guitar became my main instrument and I began to spend more time learning all the fundamentals of it. At the age of 20, having learned all the basics of music, I decided to pursue the next level. I dedicated months to studying very hard and finally got into the Conservatorio Municipal de Música de Barcelona, where I’d been studying until two years ago. During the years I was in the conservatory, the guitar remained the main focus of my study and professional career. Also, at the age of 21, I discovered the ukulele, for which I’ve developed a great passion.
What would you say is your favorite instrument to play nowadays?
I have kept the guitar as an important pillar in my studies and my professional career. However, the ukulele is undoubtedly the instrument I enjoy the most. Drums and guitar have their unique enjoyment. I love to play the drums when I want to blow off steam or let loose, while I pick up the guitar mostly to play rock classics and solos that I love. On the other hand, playing the ukulele has a whole different meaning to me. When I discovered the instrument, I focused on cover versioning, making the songs purely melodic. Each song was a new challenge, and that excitement created in me a great passion that persists to this day. Because of that, the ukulele is definitely my favorite one!
What genres do you do?
That’s a rather complicated question since I don’t have a pre-established style. My natural inclination would be rock, which is the one that I enjoy the most. However, jazz is also quite relevant in my life because of everything amazing I’ve learned about it while studying. I’d say I have a great affinity with both rock and jazz.
I know you love to cover, do you also compose?
I compose but to a much lesser extent. I have a lot of unfinished songs in the works. What happens is that I usually have very good ideas for songs, but I find it very difficult to finish developing them. Other than that, I think producing my versions of songs is where my music belongs. I’d rather rack my brains taking something that’s already been done and recycling it into a completely different version of my own, rather than making complete songs from scratch.
In the ukulele world, is there any ukulele player that inspires you? And have you seen any new talents that catch your attention?
The first time I recognize the potential of the ukulele was with Jake Shimabukuro, the classic great ukulele player. I really enjoyed his Ted Talk presentation, in which he played Bohemian Rhapsody on the uke in the most amazing way possible. It was something out of this world! Another ukulele player I admire and find incredibly talented is Taimane, whom I got to meet a couple of years ago. Through the years, I have been discovering many ukulele players that inspire me for different reasons, such as technique, the enjoyment they transmit, skills, etc. Some people inspire me in a thousand ways, not just highly knowledgeable or very famous people.
How would you describe what music means to you?
Music is a form of expression capable of channeling emotion. It is a two-way street, with music coming in and stirring the emotional part of you while making a big impact, and conversely, through singing or instruments music is a way to bring out that emotion and expression that you have. It serves both to channel and to receive nourishment for your own emotions, as well as to express feelings and reach other people.
What is your goal in music?
Music has always been in my life and I can’t conceive myself without it. After finishing my studies, I don’t have specific life goals or know exactly where I’m headed musically. With the ukulele, for example, I plan to continue enjoying it and achieving new challenges. I also want to keep my focus on traveling and being able to perform live in different cities and countries. Years ago, I had very demanding goals in the field of studies and the ukulele, so the day-to-day was quite laborious and tiring. Now, I live more relaxed and in a more leisurely way, so my goal is to continue doing what I do now because I am truly happy. I think the best thing is to enjoy the road, without thinking about the end of it.
Finally, how did you find out about Make Music Day?
I think it was at the 2020 NAMM event in New Castle. Organizers of Make Music Day invited me to play at a well-known music store in the area. I participated and had a very pleasant experience. So, I participated that time in person and then virtually in 2021.
April 9, 2022
Make Music Champions: Courtney Preis loves writing songs about her own stories and connecting with people through them
Courtney is a singer-songwriter from San Diego. She started writing songs at a very young age which were all about her own stories as a rebellious teenager. Nowadays, she works with a co-writing team to produce music completely inspired by their own stories and emotions. She recently released a new album called Cabin in the Woods.
How did you start making music?
Music kind of runs in my family, we’re all singers and a lot of us are singer-songwriters. Growing up, music was what we did as a family. By the time I was around 13, I got drawn into the art of songwriting. At that age, I was rebellious and got in trouble a lot with the law, my parents, and that sort of stuff. I started to turn my stories into songs, which was really therapeutic for me, so I continued to do it as I became an adult. I went into college and continued composing getting inspiration from relationships, friendships, and any stressful times I had. I continued turning emotions into songs, and it just felt right. It was really fun and easy for me, and it felt true to myself, so I kept doing it. The rest is kind of history!
Could you tell me a bit more about your songwriting journey?
When I moved to LA a little over a year ago, I got to explore a lot of different paths of my musicianship and songwriting. I initially moved there because I had a publishing deal with my team, which was like a writing camp 101, every single day. I’d show up in the studio and we’d be writing for artists and commercials pushing the product which was the song. Instead of turning my own experiences into music, I was turning whatever I could into music. I did that for the whole year, then I found my co-writing team which is my current team. We work on the brand of Courtney Preis and it’s all about my life stories and their life stories because we all create our music together. We travel across the USA creating experiences and composing, and that’s how my newest record came about, Cabin in the woods.
Y0u’re a songwriter, do you also do covers?
Before I moved to LA, I was doing music full-time as a gig artist. I’ve always been a very spiritual person, and I remember telling the universe “I want to pay the bills making music”. I was kind of doing it, but it was still not quite where I wanted to be because I was playing other people’s music, and I was playing at places where I felt like my music was just background music as no one was paying me attention. That’s probably not the worst thing for someone that just wants to play or perform, but that was not my case. So, I did that for two years. It was very lucrative while being also very soul-sucking. I did covers for a very long time, but I think that chapter is closed to me now.
What genres do you do?
What I write is generally pop music, like love songs and that kind of stuff, but I do put a lot of stories into it as well. I want the soul to come through with the music and I want people to see themselves in it too. That being said, I’m a pop singer-songwriter, greatly influenced by R&B and classic writing.
How did you find out about Make Music Day?
Last year, I was living with a friend in Topanga, and one of her friends told me that there was going to be a Make Music Day event where I should definitely perform. Because of the pandemic, I had stopped performing and was just working on composing at my studio. And, as Topanga is very community-based, I knew Make Music Day was going to be a great show for everyone across the city, so I decided to participate. I had a wonderful time!
How was your experience at Make Music Day?
It was so great! Not only did I get to perform, but I also stayed for a lot of performances throughout the whole evening. It was just really lovely. As I already said, Topanga is very community-based itself, so everyone at the event was really receptive to the music and had a lot of fun.
How would you describe what music means to you?
Music means a lot as it’s the career path that I’ve chosen, and there is a lot of excitement, pressure, and trying not to think so much about the future that comes with it. I think music, in general, is like the rock of life. The world cannot move on without music, and we are all musical! We all have vocal cords and hands to create and experiment with music.
What would you say your goal in music is?
To keep being as authentic as I can with my message and my music, and simultaneously touching as many people as I can with exactly what I want to say through my songs.
April 7, 2022
Make Music Champions: Ian Matthew, helping people through music
Ian Matthew is a singer-songwriter and performer from Connecticut. He has been immersed in music from a young age. He built his music career going from playing in rock bands in high school to composing his own music. Currently, he is mainly working on composing more original songs. He recently released a new country song, called Directions.
How did you start making music?
My father was a musician, he used to buy us skateboards and stuff that we wanted as far as toys but he wouldn’t allow us to play with them until we played the G chord, the C chord, the D chord, and the F chord. He told us he always wanted to give us the foundation to run with it in case we ever wanted to pursue music. I started playing in pop-rock bands when I was 11 years old and I did it for around four years until my friends started to get a real-life, and I had no band left. So, I started making music on my own, using the wonders of the internet to start networking and finding producers. I’d go and tell them “Hey man, I did this over your sound, do you think it’s cool? Can I release it?” The majority of the time I’d get the OK from them. I also started experimenting with different sounds because I grew up with so many different genres of music that it was hard for me to stay in one spot. I always thought that if something felt good, I should be able to do it, so I started experimenting with whatever felt good and was honest to myself.
What genres are you currently doing?
We’re doing some kind of pop-punk production. Honestly, I don’t even know and can’t even say for sure the genre of my music. Even in live shows, some days it can sound like pop-punk but other days it sounds like country. I would say I do mostly pop punk, but country is a part of me since growing up my grandparents were in a western country band, and they taught me a lot about the genre. I’ve written a couple of country songs that I’ve released just to put something new that I liked out there and I got a good response from my audience. Maybe I’ll do it again in the future if it feels organic.
You’re a songwriter, do you also like making covers?
Yea, for sure! I have a blast making covers. I think it’s a great way to pay homage to the bands that you grew up listening to or just songs that moved you. Good covers that do the original songs justice sometimes can do just as well as an original single would do.
How did you find out about Make Music Day?
I was invited to an event at Make Music Day. The girl that was hosting the event explained what Make Music Day is to me, and I thought it was genius. Everybody was so hyped for the event and I loved the big and diverse music community I saw there.
How would you describe what music means to you?
I would say from the listener’s perspective it’s what music has done for me. I remember being insecure in middle school and having one song that got me pumped up before going to school would give me the power to fake it. To me, that connection is just everything. Also, during the years of my life in which I didn’t know who I was, music was the one constant in my life that I could count on. On the creating side, as I said I was insecure as a kid and music gave me an identity. Trying to figure out who you are and what you want to be and finally finding this one thing that people recognize you for gives you a feeling of identity and purpose. It is just amazing when people start to listen to your music and they tell you that your music helped them get through a tough time. Music represents a wonderful and magical opportunity to meet people, express yourself, and for other people to express themselves through you.
Finally, what would you say your goal in music is?
Financial stability for sure. I want to be full-time with it and take my music as far as I can take it. I want to reach as many people as I can. My music is meant to help, whether it’s a fun song that makes you want to go enjoy your Friday night, or it’s a sad song that helps you through a breakup. I want to be able to use my art to help somebody in any type of way.
April 5, 2022
Make Music Champions: Lyrics or music? For Emily, lyrics come first
Emily McNally is a singer-songwriter and performer from Brooklyn. She has loved playing guitar and piano since she was a kid. She has been making music for about 15 years. She is currently a full-time musician and freelances on Fiverr.
How did you start making music?
I started playing piano when I was 6, and I did that all through high school. I started taking voice lessons when I was 10. As I was always listening to music, I think it was like a form of escapism for me, so I naturally gravitated into writing it when I was a kid. I wrote songs like a kid writes songs about silly things, and definitely about serious heartbreaking middle school. But, I never really shared it with anybody until I was a senior in high school when I performed my first original song at a talent show, and I got nice feedback about it. So, when I came to New York for college I decided to pursue music more seriously. I started writing more and sharing more, and slowly building a fanbase over time.
How would you describe your music?
I like to describe my music as genre-fluid, so I like to focus on the story I’m trying to tell. After having the lyrics, I think about what genre could suit the new piece I have. But for the most part, it tends to fall into folk-pop and soft-pop vibes. I’m really flexible and I take a lot of inspiration from different genres in my writing.
You’re a songwriter, do you do covers?
I did covers all through college for a long time until I built up a good-size YouTube fanbase in college, and nowadays I don’t post them as much anymore on my social media. I usually do include a couple of covers on my shows, but I mostly focus on my original stuff these days.
And, do you compose for other artists?
Over the pandemic, I’ve got to collaborate with a lot of producers who would send me sort of pop-dance style records. I would write lyrics and record vocals for them and send them over, and they would mix them. I love collaborations and the possibilities of getting to write with other people. For a long time, I was just doing it by myself, from when I was very little up through college. It was just a few years ago that I started writing with other people, and I love it.
Are you a full-time musician?
Very recently, as of last month, I started freelancing full-time doing music. It’s pretty new and I’m nervous, but I’m also so excited to finally get to be a full-time musician! Most of my work comes through Fiverr, where I mostly write custom songs for people to give as gifts to their loved ones.
What instruments do you play?
I started as a music education major in college before switching to performance. As part of that, I had to learn the very basics of a bunch of different instruments such as violin, cello, clarinet, and flute. But, my main instruments are piano and guitar.
How did you find out about Make Music Day?
I don’t remember exactly how I stumbled across it. I think I had been following the page for a while and discovered there was an event during winter, the Make Music Winter 2019, but I wasn’t able to participate in it. So, when the summer came along, I decided to apply for the events and performed in three different boroughs. It was cool, and I loved the experience so much. I kept doing it every single year because I love it so much. It was so delightful; it feels very human to connect with people that way.
How would you describe what music means to you?
What a wonderful question! I think that for me music has always been about emotional connection and catharsis. I’ve spent so much of my teenage years and younger years listening to people sing about what they were going through and feeling less alone in my tumultuous adolescence, and all I’ve ever wanted to do since then is to give that back in a way and pass it forward.
What would you say is your goal in music?
I’d say the baseline bare minimum goal is to make a living entirely out of doing art and doing music. Above that, I’d love to keep growing my fanbase to a point where I can go on tour and play shows across the country or even across the world. I want to keep connecting with people and releasing music that reaches a wider audience, while still being able to have a private life, I don’t have any big fame inspiration.