Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Darren Chilingirian. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Darren, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you have a hero? What have you learned from them?
I don’t really have just one hero—I like to think of my whole family as a superhero team! My musical
journey started when I was very young, probably because my parents love music so much, and their love
for it became my passion too. My mom plays the piano, and she taught me all the notes and simple
songs when I was little. My dad plays guitar, and he’s helped me get better at playing guitar over the
years. They’ve both taught me to keep going, believe in myself, and keep working towards my dream of
being a musician. They always remind me that if I set my mind to something, put in the hard work, I can
do it.
My parents spend so much time helping me, especially with my music. They don’t just help me practice
at home but they’re always there before events, taking me to gigs, and coming with me to the studio for
recordings and photoshoots. We basically work as a team! They’ve done so much to help me, and I’m
really thankful for everything they do.
It’s not just my parents who are my heroes—my siblings are amazing too! They cheer me on every single
day, and my 6 year old brother and 2-year-old sister even sing my original songs! It’s so cool to hear
them singing along. My grandparents are also super encouraging, and they always tell me to keep going
with my music. Having everyone’s support makes me feel so happy and motivated to keep chasing my
dreams. This is what heroes do, they encourage and they inspire you to become better.
Darren, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Hi, I’m Darren Chilingirian, but I go by the stage name Darren Chillin. I’m 11 years old and I’m a bilingual
pop artist from Los Angeles. Over the past few years, I’ve been building my presence in my community
as well as online and now have over 10 thousand followers on Instagram, and I’ve had the chance to
release my debut single, "Earth To Mars." The song was written to inspire young kids and it’s about
believing in yourself. It’s been amazing to see it reach listeners from more than 30 countries around the
world.
I started my musical journey when I was just three years old, learning piano, and by the time I was six, I
picked up the guitar. Music has always been a huge part of my life, and now I work closely with my vocal
coach and co-writer, Roberta Michele, to keep improving and growing as an artist. Performing has been
such an exciting part of this journey—I’ve had the chance to sing at galas, fundraisers, and cultural
events. A highlight was meeting Ed Sheeran last summer and getting a signed guitar from him. It was
such an inspiring moment that motivated me to keep pushing toward my dreams.
What makes my music unique is the mix of different genres I enjoy, including pop, rock, country, and
blues. Each genre has something special about it, and I love exploring all of them through my music. I’ve
already released songs in both English and Armenian, and I’m working on more original tracks in both
languages. I also enjoy creating covers of popular songs and putting my own twist on them. You can find
my music on platforms like Spotify, iTunes, and Amazon Music.
Of course, being a young artist comes with its challenges. Age restrictions at venues can sometimes limit
my opportunities, and balancing school with music is definitely tough. But I’ve learned to manage my
time well, fitting in practice, performances, and songwriting alongside my schoolwork. My family,
friends, and mentors are a huge support system, and they inspire me to keep going.
What I’m most proud of is the way my music connects with my audience. I love seeing the smiles on
people’s faces when I perform and knowing that my songs can inspire and entertain them. This is just
the beginning for me, and I’m excited for what’s next. I can’t wait to share more music with you all and
keep growing as an artist!
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the amazing connection with the audience through my
music and seeing how it makes them feel. As a singer and songwriter, one of the best things is when
people actually feel what I’m singing about. Whether I’m performing a live cover or sharing a new song,
it’s so cool to know that my music can make someone smile, help them feel better, or just connect with
them in some way. When I see people singing along, dancing, or just listening with a big smile, I know
I’m doing something right. Music has this awesome way of bringing people together, and when
someone tells me that my song made their day or helped them, it just makes me feel like all the hard
work is worth it. Being able to reach people with my music is what keeps me going and makes me want
to keep making new songs. Every performance is a chance to connect with someone, and that’s the best
part of being an artist!
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Yes, my goal and mission are to become a pop star who can reach audiences all over the world. I want
my music to inspire and motivate people, not just by giving them something fun to listen to, but by
touching their lives in a meaningful way. Whether through my lyrics, performances, or the energy I bring
to the stage, I want to create music that makes people feel something. My dream is for my songs to
uplift others, help them through tough times, and remind them to always believe in themselves. I want
to share my musical journey with as many people as possible and leave a positive impact on everyone
who listens.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamminwithdarren?igsh=NGVhN2U2NjQ0Yg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jamminwithdarren?mibextid=JRoKGi
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@jamminwithdarren?si=hgLbkc4w931mrydN
- Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7vuEDLe01pIQPLjQZX3Jnb?si=uHpAxQMISWWrovRV_M7X-Q
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jamminwithdarren?_t=8nYcSL3ueFD&_r=1
Image Credits
ZaraAlina Photography