Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael De La Torre.
Hi Michael, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a writer/singer/producer for a few bands, and the one that I have been mainly focused on these last few years is Jelly of the Month Club, the ultimate “fun for the whole family” show. We are a band that spans many genres such as swing, ska, pop, hip hop and more. Our songs are written to inspire, entertain and educate kids. Wholesome and hilarious.
In 2013, I was working as a producer finishing a record for my band Zen Robbi. Dr. Todd Forman from Sublime had just played on one of our tracks, and I was so honored, having grown up such a big fan of Sublime. A few months later I got a phone call from him that changed my life: I was asked to sing for a band comprised of Todd and Bud Gaugh (Sublime) and Bert Susanka (The Ziggens) and I was also asked to produce the debut album! I was over the moon to get to play in a band with some of my heroes. And while in the past decade, some of the faces may have changed, the music and ethos has remained the same.
In the last decade Jelly has performed hundreds of shows at schools, theme parks and resorts across the country, and most recently have been drawn to our true calling: children’s music education. And so was born the Jelly of the Month Club Music Academy (JMA). An online interactive cartoon learning experience with colorful characters and catchy singalongs that are kids-tested and teacher-approved.
With Music Education to be among the first on the chopping block when school budget cuts arise, we decided it was imperative we turn our effort towards this specifically. In an effort to champion the importance of music in schools, we started the JMA School Invasion Tour. Our efforts began a few years back by traveling around to schools and donating our time to perform free shows to help generate excitement for our cause. We crafted our live show with songs about musical concepts (tempo, rhythm, notes, etc.) A few of us were already music educators as well, but we felt that we simply could not reach enough students just traveling from school to school. After performing at dozens and dozens of schools (sometimes 3 in one day!), we realized we needed to figure something out to help launch our message and program. Not only could we not get to as many places as we wanted, but we also could not keep up with the requests for school visits that we were receiving.
Then came the pandemic, so we had some time at home. For almost three years straight now, we have worked tirelessly to create an animated version of our show, and it has now turned into a learning experience for kids, much grander than we could have ever hoped or imagined. This is the music education experience I wish I had as a kid. Music lessons taught by Disney-type characters, with catchy songs and video game-esque features?? It’s the perfect winning formula. The technology we have used to build this website allows ANYONE with a computer to participate and play along. We have designed a digital Piano, Xylophone, Drumkit, even Turntables, all controlled by your computer keyboard.
Our debut course, JMA – Music 101, covers all of the national standards in kid’s music education TK-2nd grade and more, with reinvented mnemonic devices and custom-written songs that parents will love just as much. What makes this course so special to me is that in this age bracket (TK-2) is our chance for first impressions with kids. And while there are a lot of great learning tools for children out there, we wanted to offer something updated, fresh and feels like it is talking to kids today. We all know the importance of first impressions, let’s not waste our chance with music for kids!
My dream is to build many more JMA courses, several of which we have already imagined and outlined. We wrote, recorded, performed and animated the entire course ourselves and can’t wait to get to work on the next one once JMA – Music 101 is off to the races. Our main goal is to get this program to as many kids as possible. Currently we are looking for schools in need to donate the program to, we have developed a sponsorship program, and anyone has the ability to take the first several lessons of the course for absolutely free through our website www.jmalearning.com
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?
There has been a bump or two in the road, not having a manager or funding has been challenging at times. But most of the bigger challenges have been related to having to learn the new software necessary to create our online JMA program. Since we have written and created the entire program by ourselves, there have been times where our bandwith was just maxed out with also being full-time performers.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I suppose what might set me apart from others is my versatility. I truly have had a romance with so many genres in music, and have a decent size vocabulary to pull from. And even when working in other genres, it can pay to be jazzy when trying to write a hip-hop topline. Or to have a norteno/polka part for this ska track you’re working on. Versatility can really help the production if you are working with the language of music and not against it. That and I don’t take myself too seriously at all. I always felt that you have to surrender to the playfulness if you want to be a great writer. I sing songs about pouring my heart out and bearing my soul, and I also sing songs about waffles and Jellyfish and Bigfoot, etc. lol.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Calculated risks are the key to everything. On stage I go by “Mic Dangerously”, and I am all about taking risks. In the last 20 years of performing, I have played a bit in the CA reggae circuit, the whole LA Rock n Roll strip, and now schools statewide. I have covered everything from Disney songs to Danzig to Billie Eilish. Every time I take a risk because my gut told me to, it has paid off 1,000%. Every time. I have now turned the lion’s share of my attention to children’s music education and entertainment. Is that a risk? Maybe. I suppose it doesn’t feel like you’re rolling the dice when you know that you’ve found your calling.
Pricing:
- Free Beginners Music Lessons
- $10/month subscription option
- $15/month subscription option
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jmalearning.com
- Instagram: jellyofthemonthclub
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JellyOfTheMonthClubMusic/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jellyofthemonthclubmusicac3209
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/jellyofthemonthclub
- Other: www.jellyofthemonthclub.com
Image Credits
Photos by: Jose Corona
