We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Gerry Seqal. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Gerry below.
Gerry, 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?
Four Great Risks That Shaped My Life
1. From Music to Education
I’ve been writing songs since the age of 19 I’m now 81. I was part of Greenwich village music scene in the early ’60s and even appeared at one of the open mics that Bob Dylan appeared in at Gerdy’s Folk City. At the same time I had a family with deep roots in education and I followed the pursuit of a teaching career. While I never fully left behind my songwriting I became the youngest Middle School Director in New York City School system, and at the same time, I was recording my songs for Chappell Music Publishers.
Not pursuing music full time was a creative risk, but one I was not sorry to take. I dove into the educational field, rose through the ranks. In the music business, while never achieving commercial success, I achieved wonderful treasures such as lifelong friends and meeting my wife of 44 years.
2. From Education to Computing
Just as I had found my footing in education, I felt the pull of a new frontier: computing. In 1980 the world was evolving rapidly, and I knew that technology held the key to the future. It was a leap into the unknown, requiring me to master an entirely new skill set. Despite the risks, I transitioned into computing, a field I knew little about at the time, and eventually became Chief Information Architect at the Psychiatric Institute. It was a testament to my ability to adapt and thrive in new challenges, but it also meant starting over and proving myself all over again.
3. Returning to Music
As I approached retirement age my career in computing technology help me forge and shape what I was going to do after retiring. I was able to build and create my digital recording studio. After retiring, I returned full time to my first love music. Now the digital world was moving along with me and gave me the platform to place my music on different music distribution sites such as Spotify and SoundCloud so that I could reach my audience in a whole new way. I was putting myself out there in a vastly changed world of social media and digital platforms. Sharing my songs publicly, performing again, and reestablishing my identity as a singer-songwriter required courage and vulnerability. I had to reconnect with my creative roots while learning to navigate the online music space, opening myself up to feedback, criticism, and the unpredictable nature of the digital world. You can see for yourself: www.gerrysegal.com or https://youtube.com/@gerrysegalsongs
4. Embracing Artificial Intelligence
The latest chapter of my journey involves another bold risk: fully embracing artificial intelligence in my creative processes. I’ve begun to use AI tools to enhance both my music and video storytelling, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Integrating this cutting-edge technology into my art has been both thrilling and intimidating. It’s a delicate balance of maintaining authenticity while exploring new methods to bring my stories to life. This risk has opened up unprecedented opportunities to innovate, but it has also required me to challenge my understanding of creativity itself. In many ways it’s helped me connect with a whole new generation with my music
Each of these risks carried its own set of fears and uncertainties, but they’ve all been vital to my growth. They’ve shaped the person I am today, teaching me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of following my passions wherever they lead.
Gerry, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
About Gerry Segal
I am a lifelong creative, having journeyed through various phases of professional life, each marked by risk and reinvention. My work spans multiple disciplines—music, education, technology, and storytelling—all infused with the same passion for creativity and connection.
The Journey
My career began as a singer-songwriter, performing my own compositions and sharing personal stories through music. But life led me to a second calling in education, where I transitioned from teaching to becoming a principal. The desire to tackle new challenges then pulled me into the world of computing, where I became the Chief Information Architect at the Psychiatric Institute. Eventually, I returned to my first love: music. Now retired, I am fully committed to creating and sharing my songs and stories through social media, especially on my YouTube channel.
What I Offer
I create music with deep emotional resonance, telling stories that span love, loss, hope, and nostalgia. Whether writing original songs, reimagining personal experiences, or weaving together visuals for music videos, my goal is to touch hearts and connect with listeners on a profound level. My recent work includes incorporating AI tools in music and video production to enhance storytelling, which has become an exciting new frontier for me.
What Sets Me Apart
What makes my work unique is its blend of life experience, authenticity, and willingness to take creative risks. I’ve lived through significant career shifts, and each chapter of my life feeds into my music. My songs are not just about entertainment—they are about finding meaning in the everyday, revisiting the past, and imagining the future. By embracing modern technology like AI, I’m also exploring how new tools can elevate traditional storytelling.
What I’m Most Proud Of
I’m proud of the risks I’ve taken, especially in returning to music after decades and sharing it boldly on platforms like YouTube and SoundCloud. My work has resonated with listeners across different generations, and I’m proud of creating songs like Mon Cher Marie, which capture universal emotions through personal stories.
Message to Fans and Followers
For those discovering me for the first time: my music is about creating a shared emotional experience. Whether through heartfelt lyrics, storytelling, or visually compelling videos, I aim to inspire reflection and connection. Check out my YouTube channel to dive into my latest projects, and join me on this creative journey as I continue to explore new ways to express the human experience.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
The Mission Behind My Creative Journey
The core mission driving my creative journey is to connect deeply with others through storytelling, music, and visual art. At its heart, my work seeks to explore and express the shared human experience—our joys, sorrows, memories, and dreams. I want to create music and stories that resonate emotionally, encouraging listeners to reflect on their own lives and find meaning in the everyday.
I also strive to bridge the past and future by blending traditional songwriting with modern tools like AI to enhance my storytelling. This innovative approach allows me to bring timeless emotions to life in new, engaging ways.
Ultimately, my goal is to inspire connection, evoke nostalgia, and spark conversations through my art. By sharing my journey and embracing creative risks, I hope to encourage others to embrace their own unique paths and to find beauty and meaning in their personal stories.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
A Lesson I Had to Unlearn
One of the most profound lessons I had to unlearn was the belief that success is defined by stability and a linear career path. For much of my early life, I associated success with finding a single profession and dedicating myself to it entirely. This belief shaped my transition from being a singer-songwriter to pursuing a stable career in education, and later, a secure role in the tech industry.
The turning point came after I retired from my role as Chief Information Architect at the Psychiatric Institute. With a secure career behind me, I found myself longing for the creative freedom I had set aside years before. I realized that while stability had its value, it had also boxed me into a limited definition of fulfillment. The creative spark that once fueled my songwriting and storytelling had been dimmed by the pursuit of conventional success.
The Backstory
Returning to music felt like an act of defiance against my earlier assumptions. At first, I wrestled with doubts—questions like, Is it too late? Will people care? But as I shared my music and stories online, including on platforms like YouTube, I discovered that authenticity and passion resonated with people more than any traditional markers of success.
Unlearning the need for a straight path allowed me to embrace the richness of a life built on reinvention. Now, my creative journey is fueled by a deeper understanding: success is not about following a prescribed path but about pursuing what ignites your soul, no matter where it leads or how unconventional it may seem. This realization has empowered me to take risks, embrace change, and find joy in every chapter of my story.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.gerrysegal.com
- Instagram: [email protected]
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Gerry-Segal-Artisan-Songs-160053767360292/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerrysegal
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/segalge
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/gerryegal
Image Credits
Gerry Segal