Today we’d like to introduce you to David Valencia.
Hi David, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I moved to LA from Austin, Texas in 1992 to pursue a career in music. At the time, I was deep into an aerospace engineering degree at UT on a full scholarship. Even though I had the capacity for it, I quickly realized I didn’t have the passion. So, in year three, I did what every logical 20-something does: I dropped out to study keyboard performance and recording engineering. Needless to say, my Colombian parents—who immigrated to the U.S. so I could get a proper education—were not thrilled. They expected a degree in rocket science… they just didn’t expect it would involve synthesizers and pop music.
The late ’90s were a wild and exciting time to be a musician. I started touring as a keyboardist on major tours, computers were just barely starting to record audio (shout out to SoundTools by DigiDesign), and the internet was slowly beginning to change how people discovered and listened to music. I saw the shift happening and dove headfirst into digital audio production. I built a modest home studio and began producing music for TV, film, and video games—back when doing that kind of thing was still considered a bit out there… and very expensive. There weren’t any schools teaching digital recording arts at the time, so I had to piece it together on my own.
Honestly, I didn’t know many people on the same path. I have to admit, I struggled to find my identity in music. As a Colombian keyboard player, I didn’t really fit into the grunge scene that ruled the ’90s, and while I toured with some amazing R&B artists, I never quite felt like I belonged there either. I remember being at an audition for a RnB Funk group that was on top of the charts, when the band looked at me and asked, “So… are you Black or white?” I just smiled and said, “I’m just funky.” They all started laughing. Sometimes, a little humor goes a long way—especially when you don’t quite fit in.
Then I found electronic music—and everything changed. In that world, no one cared where you were from or what you looked like. They only cared if you had something unique to bring to the table. If you were experimenting and pushing boundaries, you were welcomed.
I started ICON Collective, the first school for Music Producers and Artists, in 2005 because, as a young producer, I knew what it felt like to be isolated—craving feedback, inspiration, and community, but not knowing where to find it. I wanted to create the kind of environment I never had: a building full of passionate, like-minded artists who could grow, collaborate, and push each other creatively. The idea of being surrounded by 300 driven producers—that sounded like musical heaven.
At the time, there were few schools focused on the digital recording arts. Every program was geared toward training engineers as technicians, or turning musicians into hired guns. But there was nowhere for someone like me—someone who wanted to write, produce, and release music as a fully self-contained artist. ICON Collective was created to fill that gap. It was built to empower the artist, not just the technician.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I wouldn’t exactly call a career in music and education a smooth road—far from it, actually. There were plenty of times I had just a few dollars in my pocket and had to choose between putting food in my belly or gas in the tank. But what kept me going was the decision to follow a path I was truly passionate about.
I believe that when you discover your gift, use it to serve others, and express your life through your talents, it becomes one of the most fulfilling ways to build both a career and a business. That said, it takes a lot of courage—and more than a few leaps of faith—especially when there are no safety nets.
I didn’t have any money to start a large school, but I committed to a date for when the doors would open—and that was enough to get people behind it. I learned early on that you don’t need to be at your destination—you just need to walk toward it with so much confidence that people believe you’re already there. And that’s exactly what I did.
I brought a group of prospective students to a massive production facility in downtown LA called LA Center Studios and told them, “This is where the school will be.” What they didn’t know was—I didn’t have a lease yet. I also told the President of the Studios that I’d be giving a tour to my clients so they could see the space—he didn’t realize they hadn’t enrolled yet either.
So there I was: no signed lease, no enrolled students, and no money. But the students believed the space was already secured, and the studio president believed they were already my clients. He even gave us a private tour of the entire three-city-block facility and offered a conference room overlooking the downtown skyline for our meeting. It was an incredible day.
By the end of it, 18 students each paid a $3,000 deposit. The next morning, I took that $54,000, signed the lease at LA Center Studios, bought the equipment, built the studio—and started classes just two weeks later.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Today, ICON is a thriving creative environment where people come to pursue careers as artists and entrepreneurs. Our newly built 32,000-square-foot campus in Burbank was designed with that vision in mind—to create the ultimate space where artists can grow, experiment, connect, and thrive.
Our curriculum is built on three core pillars: Technology, Artistry, and Mindset. These foundational values—combined with a strong sense of community—are what make ICON truly unique in the world of education. Students receive hands-on experience in modern production tools, personalized mentorship, and immersive training that includes everything from songwriting and branding to Dolby Atmos mixing and music business strategy.
While many of our graduates have won Grammys and now work across every corner of the industry, our mission has never been just to help students land jobs. We aim to help them launch their own businesses—writing, producing, and releasing music, building their brands, and touring the world on their own terms. ICON grads are known for headlining major festivals, selling out international tours, and creating movements through their music.
What does success mean to you?
Money doesn’t define success—it’s simply a byproduct of using your gifts to bring value to the world. If you can do that authentically through your talents, that’s real success.
For me, success means having a fingerprint on the culture of music globally via the success of our graduates, creating an inspiring environment for our staff to thrive, and building meaningful relationships where I can be of service to others.
Thank you for allowing me to share our story. We’ve quietly been doing this work for almost two decades, but now, we’re stepping into the spotlight—ready to attract the best talent from around the world and continue empowering the next generation of independent artists via our online programs and Burbank Campus.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.iconcollective.edu
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/iconcollective/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iconcollective/
- Twitter: https://x.com/iconcollective
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/IconCollective
- Soundcloud: https://open.spotify.com/user/kidehb7efekzd3n6zrs6wdzmc?si=65cc6b45ed1e4753
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@iconcollective?lang=en
Image Credits
Art Director Steven Griffin
