Today we’d like to introduce you to Juan Arango

Hi Juan, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

My name is Juan. I’m a 29-year-old music composer, producer, and guitarist from Colombia, currently living in New York City. Music has been an integral part of my life for as long as I can remember. My parents, who were music enthusiasts, introduced me to its importance at an early age. Shortly after, I developed a deep passion, talent, and, frankly, an addiction to it.

I began with piano lessons, which then transitioned into clarinet lessons. However, it wasn’t until I picked up the guitar at the age of ten that I discovered my true calling. After a few years of practice and a general disinterest in anything else, I started performing proficiently at the age of 13 in various shows in my hometown of Cali, Colombia. Playing live music felt very natural to me. Not long after, I also developed an interest in writing my own music. I vividly remember recording my first songs on an old cassette tape.

At 18, I left my home country and moved to the United States to study at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. It took some time to adapt to the new environment, culture, and language, but the excitement of pursuing my passion made it all worthwhile. I continued to perform and write music during my time in Boston, and after graduating in 2017, I moved to New York City to further my music career. Looking back, it might have been an irresponsible decision since I had no job offers and knew only one person in the city.

Fortunately, I gradually found a community and a supportive environment that helped me advance my career and navigate the challenges of living in New York. A year later, I began a Master’s program at New York University in “Music Composition for Film and Media,” which was one of my main passions in addition to performing. The most rewarding outcome of my time at NYU was meeting the woman who is now my wife. She is also a music composer, and it has been a blessing to find a partner who understands my work and shares this journey with me.

I graduated in 2021, and after many years of perseverance and experimentation, I’m grateful to have found success in the music and entertainment industries. I work as a freelance composer for television and media, as well as a music performer, and in the past few years, I’ve been fortunate to receive some fantastic opportunities for which I’m very thankful.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

There have been several challenges I’ve had to overcome along the way. The first was simply trying to establish myself in the music industry, which is known for its lack of job security and clear career paths. In this field, you often have to forge your own path to success, including redefining what “success” means for you. I vividly remember graduating from music school, feeling accomplished with a deep understanding of composition, theory, and performance. Despite my confidence in my musicianship, I moved to New York with a sense of uncertainty, asking myself, “So…what now?”

For many years, I took on numerous unpaid gigs, which is not uncommon in this industry. Often, you’re compensated with “exposure,” but convincing a landlord to accept exposure as rent is another matter entirely. I recall one of my early shows in New York, where I was paid $8 and a room-temperature beer. While I don’t claim that this is the hardest job in the world, the music industry is notoriously volatile and unforgiving. For years, I had to forgo any luxuries, whether big or small.

Another significant challenge, specific to working in the arts, is that you’re monetizing something deeply personal and integral to your identity. Your work becomes intertwined with your self-worth, and facing rejection or failure can be deeply painful. The risk here is becoming cynical or losing your passion, a fate I’ve seen befall many friends and former colleagues. While I’ve come close to it, I’m relieved to say that I’ve managed to maintain my love for music.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?

My career in music is divided into two main areas: composing music for media and live performance.

In the realm of music composition, I specialize in creating music for television, film, commercials, video games, podcasts, and other media. From my home studio in Queens, I can compose, record, produce, mix, and master complete pieces of music for my clients. This streamlined process has proven to be very profitable, as I provide a one-stop solution for my clients’ musical needs. I’ve had the pleasure of working on a variety of projects, including composing music for major television networks such as NBC and ABC. My compositions have been featured on shows like The TODAY Show, Dateline, 20/20, and On the Case with Paula Zahn, among others. In the advertising world, I’ve created music for clients like Ford and Amazon. Over the years, I’ve worked on numerous projects, both large and small, across TV, film, video games, and podcasts.

As a music performer, I specialize in guitar playing. While I have performed my own music in the past (and still do on a smaller scale), I primarily collaborate with other artists as part of their bands. Having started performing at the age of 13, I’ve gained extensive experience, playing a wide range of shows—from intimate restaurant gigs to large festivals. I work with various artists in the New York music scene. In fact, right after this interview, I’ll be heading to rehearsal for an upcoming gig in Manhattan. One of my most notable experiences was touring with Disney Concerts as part of the “Encanto Sing-Along Tour 2023,” which took me on a two-month journey across the United States, covering 30 states and 45 cities, all while living on a tour bus.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?

This is a significant question. While a common answer might be to define success in terms of income, many people enter the music world with dreams of becoming rockstars. For me, success is deeply personal and multifaceted. Music is an integral part of my life; I can’t imagine who I am without it. This realization both enriches and terrifies me, but it’s ultimately a positive one.

Today, my definition of success is being able to make a living from music. I’ve never aspired to fame or fortune. My goal is to earn enough to live a comfortable and dignified life. As a freelancer, it’s my responsibility to manage and sustain my income streams. However, at my core, I’m an artist. My true satisfaction comes from creating meaningful art that elicits an emotional response from people. I firmly believe that art is crucial for civilizations; we, as artists, serve as mirrors of humanity. Success, for me, lies in the fulfillment I experience when I create something that resonates with others.

This is also why I cherish the collaborative process, whether it’s composing music for someone else’s film or performing in another artist’s band. Collaborating allows us to create a more powerful and impactful piece of art. I have no desire for glory or admiration; instead, I feel most comfortable, and even thrive, when working with others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://en.juanarangomusic.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juanarangomusic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juanarangomusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdOeZ1Gs_s8J-iA6sdsANVQ
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13945143/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_1