Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabriela Alvarado.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Welcome to the life of Gaby, where life music is anything but traditional…
I am originally from Barquisimeto – Venezuela. I grew up in a single-parent home with three more siblings. I was introduced to the world of classical music at a very early age – five years old – but I thought I wanted to be a civil engineer. In fact, I went to college for it and after six semesters, I left that major with fantastic friends and an obsession for bridges.
At age 19, I received a full scholarship to study music and moved to Massachusetts to pursue a BA in Music. 16 years later, I have a doctorate in Music and currently work in marketing, social media, and fundraising for a social justice organization funding Black and Latinx classical musicians – Sphinx Organization!
I firmly believe that every child has the right to access music education regardless of their socio-economic background.
Music allows us to connect with people in meaningful ways. My mission as an artist is to break the barrier between the traditional classical musicians and concert-goers. When I am not performing, researching, or fundraising money I enjoy spending time taking care of my plants, rock climbing at the gym, and raising awareness for Ehlers Danlos Syndrome.
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?
Where do I even start? To this day, the classical music world is still centered around white cis male – try being a woman, Latina, part of the LGBTQIA+ community with multiple chronic illnesses and the list of challenges just grows exponentially. Discrimination, sexism, racism, being discredited for being a woman, and not speaking English as your first language are only some of the obstacles I still face.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am an arts leader, brand strategist and social media consultant, educator, DEI specialist, and flutist. As an artist, I use concerts as a means to bring light works by underrepresented composers and bring classical music to nontraditional concert venues. The work I do as a musician allows me to raise awareness for the music of composers often marginalized and excluded from the classical music canon. Through my DEI work and social media marketing, I amplify voices often silent!
How can people work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
I love collaborating in projects that create intersectionality and bring awareness to marginalize voices. You can contact me through my website to collaborate www.gabrielaalvarado.com or follow me on IG, Facebook, and YouTube.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.gabrielaalvarado.com
- Instagram: @Gabyflute
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gabyalvaradoflute
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCorwFCXmU8AoxbIyv2Yu9vQ
Image Credits
NR Media
Taylor Rossi
Brittany Primavera
