Check Out Nick Kennerly’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nick Kennerly.

Hi Nick, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up going to the LA Philharmonic Kid’s Symphony with my mother where I was first exposed to Classical Music as a 4 year old. I became obsessed with one of the violinists sitting in the front row and began begging my mother to get me a violin. My father happened to be overseas at the time and brought me back a small violin from China. As fate would have it, there was a violin teacher directly across the street from our house and I began immediately. From that point on, I never stopped playing. My journey took me full circle to USC, where I studied with Bing Wang, the same violinist from the LA Philharmonic that first inspired me at the Kid’s Symphony! I’ve been so fortunate to build a fruitful career from music. Over the years I’ve performed and recorded with major artists while developing my own original sound as both a violinist and singer/songwriter. I now frequently perform at luxury weddings and events while also working with other artists to make a living as I continue to pursue my own dream of being my own artist. I’m so grateful for music everyday and look forward to seeing where the next notes take me!

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?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. The biggest battle I face is the one against myself. It’s challenging to be both creative and artistically productive on a consistent basis. It’s also challenging to stay away from destructive behaviors that take me further away from my goals. Right now, I’m thankfully in the best place that I’ve been from a business standpoint performing at private events and recording for other artists. However, that success has also come at the cost of engaging with my own creativity and dream of being my own artist. I think it’s hard for any human to find balance in their lives, and especially for creatives with an unstructured schedule juggling both their dreams as well as making enough money to support themselves(and in my case also my dog). As I near my 31st birthday, I find more and more gratitude for both being able to support myself with music even if it is not exactly where I want to be, as well as in even the smallest moments of moving the ball forward on my original music. I strive to find that ever-elusive balance between the two and hopefully one day to live out my dream of being my own original artist.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I make most of my money performing at private events as a violinist, and then some from recording and performing with other artists. However, my dream is to be my own original artist incorporating both my violin as well as singing and playing some guitar and piano. I’m definitely most proud of creating my own music both recorded and live. I believe my classical training being combined with more of an indie pop songwriting style sets me apart. For my live show, I use a looper to build out all the layers of my songs which creates a very raw and authentic experience for the listener.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My Mom and Dad deserve all the credit! As I mentioned in my backstory, my Mom exposed me to the LA Philharmonic at the young age of 4 years old and the rest was history. Both my parents have supported me with all the lessons and training any kid could have hoped for. They sacrificed so much for me to be able to become the professional musician I am now and for that I am ever grateful to them.

I’d also like to give a special shoutout to my incredible girlfriend Katie who has also supported me endlessly over the last 7 years. She has lifted me up when I’ve been in the worst of states, helps film my content and make beautiful show posters etc. Katie is also a gifted singer/songwriter herself I’ve been lucky to perform her music together and work on some of her recordings as well.

Pricing:

• Event Performance Starting Price: $1,000
• Recording Starting Price: $600

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickkennerly/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE4bpsE2ern7b9bnDTM4wuw/videos

Image Credits
David Kennerly
Rob.img