Today we’d like to introduce you to Ray Price.
Ray, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up as a military kid with both of my parents serving in the United States Marine Corps. I was fortunate to travel to a lot and experience a lot of different cultures early in life. I was born in the States, but by age 6, I was living in Okinawa, Japan, and that’s where I really became exposed to the art of dance and music.
Breakdancing and Hip Hop were the dominant influences so naturally, that’s what I gravitated towards. Practicing head spins and windmills every day with my friends eventually led to little community shows, and that feeling of being admired for a skill that made me feel empowered and cool turned into a developing passion. Since B-boying and Hip Hop go hand in hand, it wasn’t long before I started rapping to the music we’d dance to and writing my own lyrics. Painting pictures with words became a passion that would consume my thoughts and direct the course of my life.
All through grade school, I wrote and rehearsed countless songs, which ultimately helped me develop the confidence to perform on various stages and take on acting roles for school plays and other community functions. Fast forward to a year after graduating high school and I’m in the United States Army living in Hawaii. As you can imagine for any 19-year-old kid, it was like living a dream. I was still writing songs and performing here and there but mostly just enjoying the beautiful beaches and laid-back lifestyle. After about 6 months of residing on the Island, I was informed that I was deploying to Iraq, and that’s when my musical endeavors became my sole purpose for living.
I engulfed myself in writing and recording music for own therapy really, and I believe the realness of what I was going through resonated with the other soldiers that were facing the same thing. The songs I made became division anthems and that garnered the support of the troops of my rank and the higher chain of command. That belief that my superiors had in my talent gave me all the confidence I needed to pursue a career in music full-time.
After serving 8 years in the Army, I enrolled into the Art Institute of Austin to obtain a degree in Audio Production. Those 4 years of college changed my life because I was exposed to the ecosystem of the music industry and what it meant to live life as a creative. While in school, I developed a Hip Hop/Rock band called “The Syxth Synce,” and the momentum we generated felt promising. Well, the reality of surviving in Austin as a full-time artist in any endeavor is quite challenging, so I knew that I’d eventually need a sustainable gig.
Luckily, a year after graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Audio Production, I landed an opportunity as a Program Director for a youth music non-profit called “Notes for Notes.” That was back in 2017, and I now currently serve as the Area Director for Notes for Notes, overseeing 10 studios in the Country ranging from California to Washington D.C.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road, but it hasn’t been terribly difficult either. I believe that once you tap into the idea of enjoying the process, the journey becomes more meaningful than the destination. I’ve learned to embrace the struggles and become more vigilant to the opportunities that arise from the setbacks.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As I mentioned before, I currently serve as the Area Director for a music non-profit called “Notes for Notes.” We are a nationwide organization with high-end music studios that offer free music lessons, studio time, artist development, podcasting, and just about anything relating to audio production.
I started off as a program director in 2017, and my role then was to run the day-to-day operations in the studio. My program consisted of a wide range of studio offerings, including original song recordings, audiobooks, live performances, jingles, podcasts, and music production. The organization focuses on working with youth, and the best part about that is helping them find their passions and watching them develop into productive young adults. I’ve had several of my students go on to college universities such as UT, Berkeley, and Yale.
I’ve been fortunate to rise through the ranks within Notes for Notes, and as an Area Director, I oversee 10 different studios in the country, ranging from California to Washington D.C. I think the greatest thing about my role now is that my success is measured by how well my team of producers perform. They’re incredible, and my biggest skill set is knowing how to empower them.
What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is making sure that my family and I are in good health mentally and physically. That sounds typical but I do think there’s a science to ensuring true contentment in life day in and day out. From my experience, it’s finding the thing you love most and nurturing that talent until it becomes something sustainable. This way, making money becomes a lifestyle choice and alleviates some of the pressure of trying to make ends meet by doing things you don’t necessarily love, or that sucks up all of your time.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @syxsynce85
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/syx.synce?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/syxsynce
