We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kristina Koller. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kristina below.

Kristina, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

Being successful happens when you allow yourself to make mistakes. There have been many moments in my career where I feel stuck because I’m not fitting a certain mold. In jazz, vocalists are expected to sound a certain way, look a certain way and stick to what’s popular. I’ve always lived with the mentality that if I’m not uncomfortable, then I’m not challenging myself. I’ve always allowed my music career to develop the way I want it to, not fitting the “mold” is fine by me.

Allowing yourself to be vulnerable and knowing that some things are not meant to be is okay. When I produced a music series for two summers outside at a beautiful park in Peekskill NY, I realized it was not for me. Why? Because I was dependent on weather, the collaborators I worked with didn’t have the same vision I did and it turned into something that gave me panic attacks. So what did I do? I created a pop up jazz club instead because I knew what a jazz club should feel like, I had the contacts needed to put on good shows and plus…I selfishly wanted more quality music in Peekskill to see live. And guess what? No panic attacks.

As I grow older I’m learning that if you’re not doing what makes you happy, then that’s all that matters in the end.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Kristina Koller started her journey booking live music 2 years ago co-producing the very successful “Feel Good Music Series” at Charles Point Park in Peekskill, NY. Since she became a resident of Peekskill, Kristina is determined to bring high caliber artists to perform in the area. Kristina spent 6 years living in NYC, developing her jazz chops and experiencing the downtown jazz music scene via networking and performing at venues such as Smalls, Mezzrow, Birdland Theater, Minton’s Playhouse and Smoke Jazz Club. Through High Top Productions LLC, Koller launched the pop-up jazz club South Street Jazz with a focus on bringing world class progressive jazz artists to the Hudson Valley community.

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As a working jazz musician, Koller tours frequently and has released numerous recordings including three full length albums: Perception (Jazz/R&B), Stronger (Alt R&B) and Get Out of Town (her fresh takes on the Cole Porter songbook).

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For more info on Kristina, visit her website at www.kristinakoller.net

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Social media is still a mystery to me because it seems to work very randomly. The most luck I’ve had has been doing a boost on a Reel on Instagram and that actually gives me real followers. Even if you do it for 5 days for $20, it reaches up to 2000 people sometimes. I don’t focus as much on social media because it seems like it’s very random when something goes viral. I’ve also learned that YouTube works well for me, so it’s all about trying out different platforms.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I’ve gotten in my head so much these past few years thinking that people don’t like what I’m doing or don’t think I’m good enough. Working on your self care and self development is extremely important. Living in NYC honestly made me doubt myself a lot because I couldn’t figure out where I belonged, not to mention the amount of egos that were walking around. When I moved back to the suburbs it forced me to start over in a sense because not everyone knew who I was. Of course I had to prove to myself that I could make a difference in Peekskill but in the end, I’ve learned there will always be people who don’t support what you do but the ones that do are who matter the most.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.kristinakoller.net
• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/kkollermusic
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kristinakollermusic
• Youtube: @kristinakollermusic

Image Credits
DREW BORDEAUX PHOTOGRAPHY juliette_the_photographer