Today we’d like to introduce you to Gwenavair.
Hi Gwenavair, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Being the daughter and granddaughter of classically trained pianists it was inevitable I’d be taught piano lessons and start at a young age. I began lessons when I was around 4 or 5 years old by my mom and my grandma on and off for a few years. I never liked lessons and even though I had the greatest teachers there was nothing worse than having to attend my piano lessons. Around the age of 9 and 10 I rebelled and my mom let me quit. By age 10 I started composing real tangible pieces of music and have been a self taught pianist and composer ever since. I started creating so much music by the time I was 13 that I officially made the decision at that age the music would be my life’s pursuit. My parents raised me on Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, Howard Shore, Ella Fitzgerald, Andrea Bocelli, James Horner and so many others that deeply impacted me. Since then I’ve been writing music on a daily basis and sharing my music online through social media platforms. It’s been absolutely incredible to see young people connect with my music. After one of my original classical piano songs went viral with over 3 million views I knew I was on the road to something special that I didn’t even think was possible. It proved to me that there is a young audience out there wanting for the kind of music I’ve been writing alone in my bedroom for most of my life. The messages, comments and engagement have been overwhelming and so touching. I’m thrilled to have the chance to introduce modern classical music to my generation and see such a positive response.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’m positive that all artists, entrepreneurs and dreamers can agree that anything worth pursuing never comes easy. It’s been a road full of failures, setbacks and bitter waiting periods. Many years of experimenting and trial and error. Times I felt esoteric in pursuing a music career that doesn’t exactly fall under the most popular category in music. Year after year just me, my piano and a million questions swirling around in my head. But it’s all for a reason. At the end of the day I am so happy that my plans never turned out the way I wanted. Every rejection ended up being the best redirection. Because of that I’ve been so lucky to have new and different opportunities that have expanded my vision and opportunities for my career. I really believe that what’s meant for you will absolutely find you and it’s just a matter of not quitting and having an undeniable belief in yourself.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
To begin with I am a musician, pianist and composer. I write my own classical, jazz and new age piano/orchestral works. I aspire to bring classical music to my generation and to a younger audience. I think I’m most proud in my ability to write the classical works that I do. I’m often asked what my writing process looks like and it’s really a boring answer but also definitely varies. It just comes to me and falls into my lap almost instantly. Once I develop a tune I like I practice it until it’s perfect. It only takes a few minutes to develop an idea but I can play with that idea for hours. It’s the best feeling in the world. I have concertos, sonatas and rhapsody’s I cannot wait to tackle and hear in their full glory very soon. I feel like classical music is something the world is ready for in a new way almost like a new era opening up. I’ve been observing this the past few years and it’s been really special to see so many people gravitating towards this genre more and more. I aspire to be the artist I wish I had growing up. I’m still developing myself as an artist of course but I can’t wait to see where it all goes. Gen-Z bringing classical music back to the younger audiences just sounds so right.
What are your plans for the future?
To bring my classical works on stage with full orchestra! Also to keep releasing more music that’s been hidden away for way too long. That’s another part I’ve loved so much about social media is seeing my audience be on the exact same page as me when it comes to my plans and goals for the future. I don’t have to say a word, they hear my music and they know and see my vision and as an artist that is an incredible thing to have with my audience. People who not only completely see and understand my vision but are enthusiastic about what’s to come. It’s been such a gift to see people from around the world asking when the premieres of my concertos will be brought to stage. All I can say about that right now is it will happen and it may be sooner than you think. I’m excited to see where my music takes me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @gwenavair
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@gwenavair
Image Credits
Rex Robinson
