Today we’d like to introduce you to Ario Itrez.
Hi Ario, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always had a love for music growing up. Some of my earliest memories are watching music videos on 106 & Park as my mother cleaned around the house. I remember seeing some of my favorite artists do their thing like Destiny’s Child, Usher, Michael Jackson, and Aaliyah for example, and thinking to myself “wow I want to be just like them!” Seeing those artist sing and dance always looked so fun to me, but I was too scared to follow that dream for a long time. I didn’t start singing until I was 19 years old (I am now 26). A very good friend of mine who also has an incredible voice, saw my passion, heard my potential, and encouraged me to invest in a vocal coach. I wanted to follow in Beyoncé’s footsteps and took a the classical route which taught me so much about music. I sang opera for about 2.5 years as a counter tenor before shifting my focus to modern music where I’m continuing to build and utilize my voice in a different way.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Honestly, no. As an artist, you’re always going to be somewhat self critical of yourself or question “Is my work good enough? How will people feel about this next project?” But the answer is, you’ll never know until you actually do it! Somebody somewhere will love your work! I also think it’s ironic how most artists least favorite project is often times one of their most popular. Mine for example is my first song “Stay” I find it quite boring but it’s my most streamed song! When I’m faced with any bumps in the road, I think it’s important to assess and understand the problem, plan and execute. You never want to be stagnant. Keep your momentum and move forward!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As a singer, songwriter, and artist, I think I’m most known for my melodies! I try to keep my compositions interesting and unpredictable so I spend a lot of time ear training and pulling inspiration from different scales. Right now, I’m really loving the Phrygian/ harmonic scales. It’s a very mysterious and captivating scale that also reminds me of my Greek heritage. My new single “Complicated” is heavily influenced by that sound! I think the fact that I’m always looking for an unpredictable sound sets me apart from a lot of artists.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Although I currently do not have a mentor, I would love to find one! Right now, I pretty much rely on my intuition and consider how certain opportunities may either benefit me or be a disadvantage for me in the long run. When looking for a mentor, I think it’s important to consider someone who has your best interest in mind and someone that is trustworthy, honest and fair.
When it comes to networking, I always say don’t be afraid to put yourself out there! It can sometimes be uncomfortable or awkward, but the worst anyone can do is say no. You just have to keep it pushing and keep trying! Rejection is redirection!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ario.itrez?igsh=MTR3MDgyMG9tbWl0Yw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@arioitrez?si=uTaT_9lXLAGusBkS
- Other: https://linktr.ee/arioitrez
Image Credits
KingAngelVisuals
