“I will persist until I succeed,” said Chris Vazquez, SoundLife Program Director, in his opening remarks at the 2019 SoundLife Summer Showcase. The quotation, which comes from the late Og Mandino set the tone for an afternoon of incredible performances from performers of all ages, skill levels, and musical interests. It was that idea of persistence and tenacity combined with discipline and inspiration that was on fully-display throughout the show. 

Taking the courageous first steps onto the stage was…

We really hesitated on the title “Dressed to Kill.” If you are familiar with Kiss, Dressed to Kill is the title of their third album. The album cover shows the band wearing suits while still in full make-up. If you are not familiar with Kiss, then the title may seem a bit extreme. No band better represents the characters that musicians can create on stage than Kiss. Their make-up, space suits, giant boots, and light-up guitars really ensure that no one could ever truly duplicate what they do and everyone…

What exactly is a “Session Musician?” Often we hear this term, and it makes us think of the recording studio. However, the truth is that the studio is just a small sliver of what a session musician encompasses. There was a time long ago when groups of studio players could earn a great living just working in the studio. From the 1920s until the 1980s, if you heard something on a record, it was played by a human being. We still study this period of time and cherish the musicians responsible for sonically…

Enrique Lara is more than just an incredible drummer and music educator. He also happens to be an inspiring five-star human being, which makes him a perfect fit for the SoundLife family. Enrique joined SoundLife Music Academy in 2018 and currently teaches drums, guitar, bass, piano, songwriting, and production. He also serves as a band coach for student bands, Jams, and Showcases. 

Born in Germany and raised in Bolivia, Enrique brings a unique and varied cultural background to his drumming and his lessons…

Once a week, a student sits across from their music teacher for a period of anywhere from thirty minutes to an hour seeking guidance on how to play their instrument. In their hands, students hold a type of mystery box with limitless potential; but without instruction, this amazing tool is useless. After their lesson, the student goes home eager to practice, and then somewhere between that moment and when they sit back down with their instrument, it’s lost. The information and the inspiration are a fuzzy…