Life & Work with Ariel Pisturino

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ariel Pisturino .

Hi Ariel, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been involved in music my entire life. I began piano lessons as a child. I played flute in the middle school band. I sang in the high school choir. I began taking voice lessons at the age of 15. I received a music scholarship to Northern Arizona University which is where I completed my undergrad. While I was at NAU, I was cast as Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro. That was my first experience singing in an opera and I fell in love with it. Being cast in that opera set me on the path to becoming a professional opera singer. After I graduated, I was then accepted into the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California where I received my Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance. From there, I began to go out on auditions and pursue a career as a professional singer. I’ve sung for just about every company in Los Angeles, the Kennedy Center, have two albums out with Delos Records, and I’m represented by MIA Artists Management.

I also teach voice at Chaffey College and I am the newly appointed Head of Vocal Studies at the University of La Verne.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely has NOT been a smooth road. The road is full of disappointments and rejections but also with some great successes.

Self-doubt and feeling like an imposter is what I struggle with the most. It’s very hard for me to go into an audition feeling like I really belong there. I try to counteract those feelings with meditation and learning to quiet those thoughts.

Despite the difficulties, I know that there is nothing else that I’d like to do.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in opera singing. Most of my experience has been in singing and premiering new operas by living composers. One of my biggest accomplishments was premiering a new opera at the Kennedy Center before the pandemic. It was such an amazing and surreal experience.

What sets me apart from others is that I have an extremely developed tonal memory. I am able to sing very difficult melody lines that have very little relation to anything else tonally. I’m not intimidated by this music. I find it fun to put together. It’s like doing a puzzle.

How do you define success?
I think I’m still finding that definition for myself, and I think the definition changes as we go through life. I used to think that the ultimate success was singing at the Metropolitan Opera, but as I’ve gotten more life experience, I think it’s more about creating meaningful relationships to enrich your life.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.arielpisturino.com
• Instagram: @arielpisturino
• Facebook: Ariel Pisturino
• Youtube: Ariel Pisturino

Image Credits
Dawn Bowery