Today we’d like to introduce you to Ana Barreiro.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My journey as a drummer started at 12 years old with drum lessons at a little music school in my hometown in Brazil. I absolutely loved it and was proud to be a drummer jumping on any opportunity I had to play. I played at my church very often and at recitals organized by the music school. Even though it was never the plan to play music as a profession, I wanted to succeed at it to the best of my abilities.
When it was time to choose a career, I decided to change plans and go with music. I remember I had a lot to catch up on when I realized how behind I was as a musician in college. Some people dream about being a musician since very young and put energy on preparing for it, I never had discipline to practice as a teenager and never really worked hard until I got to college. I learned how to practice pretty quickly and would put the work and time to it. Even though my confidence level was low at that point as I was constantly comparing myself to other drummer, I would put a lot of work on it hoping I would get better and could eventually make drumming my job. Fast forward to now, I’m a drummer living in Los Angeles, teaching at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, I get to play with incredible musicians on a weekly basis and I’m leading a music project where I get play the music I write. It’s pretty wild looking back at it that I could build a life here in LA as a drummer and an educator.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I wouldn’t say it was smooth but also it wasn’t the hardest thing in the world. I say that because even though I really want to do this, to play music and be successful in a city like LA, I’m constantly reminded by my family, friends and my faith that music is my career and not the fullness of who I am. The biggest struggle is definitely being away from home, away from family and not being able to go home any time I want. Culturally it is a struggle in the sense that I still don’t feel like I belong 100%, there is always something I don’t know, or something I don’t get that makes me feel constantly left out.
As far as music, the struggle was the confidence of being a Brazilian Woman trying to make it as a jazz drummer in the US and how to get over my insecurities. Lastly, a big obstacle is being a non-immigrant in America, even though this is the land of opportunities, it has many disadvantages. People don’t know how much work it is and how expensive it is to be here on a work visa as a musician.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I’m a drummer and an educator. I mostly play jazz and Brazilian music but I also do pop gigs and studio work when it comes my way. I co-lead a project with Amy K Bormet, a pianist from Washington DC, called AmyAna where we play her original music and mine. We’ve been successful being chosen as finalists at the DCJazzPrix this year and have shows lined up in Brazil for September and NY for April of next year. Some artists I work with in LA are Otmaro Ruiz, Carol Bach-y-Rita, Catina deLuna, Red Light Brass Band, Elizabeth Lamers, Denny Love, Tammy Infusino and I’m part of the band “Detroit City”. I also teach at the Bachelor’s program at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood and during summers I’ve been teaching at the Stanford Jazz Workshop in the Bay Area.
As far as what sets me apart, I think being someone that understands the nuances and language of jazz who also has all the cultural baggage of Brazilian music helps with that. Not a lot of people dig deeper on both worlds and I think spending time in Brazil and in the US helps with that. Music reflects the culture and I had the chance of being active in both worlds. I’m really proud of how far I’ve come musically. I had all the help in the world from my parents and I know God has been leading me this whole way. I’m proud that I get to play music and teach talented students that I hope one day will remember something I shared with them as they conquer the world.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I would have practiced more as a teenager. There was a lot of fundamentals that needed to be dealt with in college so maybe it would be cool to have handled that prior to college. But Honestly… I had a good time doing other things too as a teenager so it’s all good! Let’s not change anything 🙂 I learned the work you put in pays off so put the work in!
Pricing:
- AmyAna CD $12 https://amyana.bandcamp.com/album/amyana
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.anabarreiromusic.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @anabarreirodrums
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anabarreiromusic/
Image Credit:
Evan Zee
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