We were lucky to catch up with Olivia Vargas recently and have shared our conversation below.

Olivia, appreciate you joining us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

Yes, I am able to make a full-time living from music. Every day I wake up so grateful to do what I love day in and day out. When I was younger, I knew I wanted to make a living in music somehow but I wasn’t quite sure how to attain it. I went to school to study music and graduated with a degree but it has taken years in the making to build my career up to what it is today. I started by singing as a professional musician at churches and teaching at a couple music studios around the area. I did this all while trying to get gigs with my band while we were still very young and inexperienced. We would play for very little money and it was mostly a passion project. Eventually, I worked my way up to directing ensembles, quitting my job at the music studio to pursue teaching on my own, and booking bigger and better gigs. I created my own LLC and began trying to make money in music any way I could. If there was a skill I needed, I would teach myself. As of last year, I officially launched my own lesson studio, Olivia Vargas Music Studio, where I teach all different ages and skill levels both in person and virtually here in West Michigan. I have always had a passion for performing and writing music, but teaching has quickly become one of my greatest joys. Today, I play all around West Michigan as a solo artist and in my band (August), as well as work as a church musician and teach lessons. I am able to create a life for myself that is fulfilling and joyful, as each day is different and allows me to create, grow, and collaborate. I feel I have created a tapestry of experiences and skills to not only support myself financially, but creatively.

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

I am a singer/songwriter, teacher, and regular performer based in West Michigan. I sing and play keyboard in my band, August, a female Soul-Pop duo, as well as perform as a solo artist. Songwriting has always been my passion and I spend most of my days in my little studio apartment writing and arranging songs that reflect who I am and what I’m going through. It excites me the most when others can relate or feel seen by the music I write. I might also be well known around town for my obsession with harmonies, as I’m always looking to collaborate, whether that be with my wonderful bandmate, Marissa Peak, or any other local talent. I’ve been lucky enough to collaborate with many incredible people such as Folias Duo, Austin Benzing, Patty Pershayla, Marsfade, Audrey Pearson, and more.

I have been a business owner and teacher for about 5 years as well. I teach all ages, from 5 years old to 50 years old and beyond. I have loved teaching students how to explore music and find their voice. My demographic of students tends to lean toward young girls and every day I am reminded of the power and confidence that music can bring to young women. I hope to inspire young girls to dream and pursue their goals and talents like my mentors and teachers did for me.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I think it’s taken me a while to figure out why I have been given such a strong passion for music. Sometimes, I felt it would just be so much easier to be something that doesn’t consume your life. To be a musician, it feels like some days I give my blood, sweat, and tears to continue what I do. There have been many times where I have asked myself why I chose this career but it all comes back down to that nothing makes me happier. Music is the constant in my life. It is what has always been there for me when I feel lost or broken. My goal used to be to play the biggest stages and to “make it”, whatever that means. As I’ve grown older, I’ve realized my goal is to create a life where I feel happy and fulfilled, one where I am using my talents to connect with others and create meaningful relationships and experiences. Don’t get me wrong, playing the biggest stages would be nice, but I first want to show up authentically to every gig, every lesson, every performance with the goal to create and connect first. Whatever opportunities follow are meant to be.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

The best thing people/society can do to support the creatives in their lives is to encourage the risk they are taking. Music takes vulnerability. I can see this happening in many ways: 1) Supporting your local musicians by going to their shows, purchasing their tickets, buying their albums, and following their social media pages.
2) Encouraging the young people in your life to continue growing their talents. Get them into lessons, take them to see concerts, give them the freedom to explore. Let them be bad and vulnerable so that they can discover the freedom and joy in discovering their talents.
3) Reframing your idea of what success in a career can look like. For many musicians, success is not being on America’s Got Talent or signing a record deal. Today’s music industry is ever changing. Alter your perspective on what success can look like for each individual artist and ask how you can support them in their unique goals and dreams.

Without the arts, the world would be a very dull and lifeless place. We must continue to cultivate and invest in our creatives and future creatives in whatever ways we can.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://oliviavargasmusic.wixsite.com/oliviavargasmusic
• Instagram: @oliviavargasmusic
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TabulaRasatheband/
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/50eCjvz8969pR8OSCDyehf

Image Credits
Photos by Loren Johnson and Isabel Elise