Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dani Toralla. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Dani, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Music as a career is a risk itself, but jazz!!! My parents were understanding enough to let me pursue music as my professional path, and they did not even hesitate when I told them that it was specifically jazz what I wanted to do. In Guatemala, my country, the jazz scene is small. My teachers from back home were always recommending me to take the next step and explore outside of my comfort zone. They encouraged me to audition to some schools abroad that offered a jazz voice degree, and that is how I ended up being accepted at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas.

The planning started in 2022. I was coming to Texas and my life was about to change. I was filled with so many fears, doubts, expectations, but also dreams. I was not sure if I was prepared for that, but I did it anyways. I am not going to lie, It was hard to adjust to so many new things: the language, the “culture shock,” the heavy load of being a master student and also a teaching assistant at the university, and living on my own, without my family or friends. Fortunately, all the people I was surrounded by were always so kind, supportive and loving. It took me a couple months to feel that I had a new community and family.

The school adventure is over now. I graduated on spring of 2024 with a master’s degree in jazz voice from UNT. I am about to take the real risk now, which is “real life.” I am planning to stay a little longer in the Dallas – Fort Worth Area to do my professional practice period. It is scary to get out there in the scene and get a spot for yourself, because as people say, “Everything is bigger in Texas.” But so far it has been great, and I am excited about taking the risk. I enjoy making friends with other musicians and sharing music and cultures. I am excited to see where these following months will take me. I have so many plans about performing, teaching, recording, composing, and exploring musical paths.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I was born in Guatemala. I began singing when I was 6 years old but started singing studies at the age of 8. When I was 16, I was part of a pop duo and lead singer of the pop band in Quetzaltenango, my hometown. In 2015 I started lyrical singing studies at Guatemala’s National Conservatory of Music “Germán Alcántara.” In addition to that, I reinforced that discipline with Professor Bárbara Bickford and became part of the choir of the Guatemalan Opera Company “Querido Arte”, founded by the tenor Mario Chang and the soprano María José Morales. In the same year, I began studying at Galileo University where I earned a bachelor’s in music in 2020.

I first listened to jazz when I was 16 years old. It was the “First Lady of Song,” Ella Fitzgerald who captivated my heart and ears. I wanted to be able to sing and do the “doobee, doo wah” like her. So I started studying Jazz Vocal improvisation, with professor Rosse Aguilar from 2018 to 2022, and that was when I learned that the “doobee, doo wah” was called “scat.” It was in the rhythms of jazz and bossa nova where I found my heart beating faster, so I co-founded the band “Scat-cat Jazz,” in which musicians considered as exponents of the Guatemalan jazz scene participated. I also worked as Director of the Choir of the Engineers Association of Guatemala and as Italian Professor for classical singing students at the National Conservatory of Music in the same period. My teaching experience with private students and in music academies led me to become a faculty member of the College of Music at the Da Vinci University of Guatemala.

I recently got a Master’s Degree in Jazz Voice at the University of North Texas, where I also worked as a Teaching Assistant. I am currently part of the faculty at DIMATexas. Besides my teaching, I am always performing in the Dallas – Fort Worth area, especially promoting my latest EP with Houston pianist Tomás Jonsson, which won us a Downbeat Award. In October, I will be going to Guatemala for a short period of time for a tour with my band and also to receive the award of the “Artist of the Year” of my country, which I am deeply grateful to receive this year.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

There are so many, it is such a kind profession. Of all the things that I do as an artist, my favorite one is performing. When I am on the stage with my peers, with people that I admire and that I feel comfortable with, communication is just so easy. I can truly be myself and reveal my heart to the audience. I love creating intimate atmospheres at my concerts, and opening a space for vulnerability, emotions, and feelings. The biggest reward is to make people feel. Feelings are what make us humans! I want people to leave my concerts having felt something that will remain in their memories for a long time.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

So many things!!! You would think that it is just about money, but it is actually not. Of course we want to be well paid, as musicians or artists that have spent so much time on perfectioning our craft, but there are also other kinds of support. People can help by attending our concerts, sharing our music, listening to our music on digital platforms, buying merchandise, buying physical CDs, and so many things like that! It takes just a click, just a like, just a share to help us get to more ears.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://danitoralla.wixsite.com/danitoralla
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dani_toralla?igsh=bm10cXdoY20zNTEw&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TorallaDani/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danitoralla/
• Twitter: @DaniToralla
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DaniToralla
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5TXdRx3zcevPbUsBuIBAv3?si=fgSsZkuLR4yhKwFasfBJxw

  https://music.apple.com/us/artist/dani-toralla/966272719

Image Credits

Pictures with black background are from Luis Estacuy.
Other pictures are from Franchezka Ambrocio.