David Reid has been an integral part of Jamaica’s musical landscape from before independence. He sang on the demo of the anthem submission that became the successful entry and the National Anthem sung today. Learn a about David Reid and listen to the original recording provided by Mikes Moments Of… by Michael Sean Harris.
Read moreMEET Diana Lorena
Name: Diana Aragones
Email: dlorena74@gmail.com
Website: http://Youtube.com/dlorena74
Where are you currently living?: Chicago
What is your education level?: Bachelors
What is your instrument? voice, flute, percussion...: Voice, guitar
Our slogan summarizes Seven Pillars' values: cross-cultural, music, beauty, connection, exploration, collaboration and illumination. Which values drive you?: Creative expression, music therapy, mindfulness, serenity, connection, cultivation of individuality through music.
Aside from the digital world, how do you connect with music and/ or others? How do you portray that intimate connection with others through music?: Music is the universal language that connects us in a world that is so increasingly divided. It’s the one common thread that so many of us have a passion for. It brings us relief, release from daily stressors and can expand our minds and hearts in such profound ways. I try to incorporate my many different interests and cultural influences through my music and try to make my music relatable to not just one kind of person. I want it to appeal to people from all walks of life regardless of gender, color, age etc.
How do you explore and expand your boundaries? For Seven Pillars' this can mean exploring new musical styles, places, and people.: I try to say yes to every invitation that has to do with live music. I frequently attend concerts with different friends. The Chicago music scene is so rich with super talented artists. I feel lucky to be able to have so many options on any given night to enjoy. I’ve learned so much about just putting my music out there simply for the passion of creating, not for any other reason. Within these friends we also share different songs that move us. My tastes have greatly expanded for this reason.
What music are you currently working on? What styels of music do you feel most at home with? What makes you expand beyond your perceived limitations?: I have been working on fusing my Latin background with my love for mellow acoustic styles. My first songs learned on the guitar were bolero love songs that my parents grew up listening to. My influences have always been really dreamy voices like Sade, and indie artists like Feist. But I also love strong powerhouse vocals like Amy winehouse, filled with so much soul, striking a chord within. They are all so different but share this powerfully feminine sound that I find so beautiful and lyrically so relatable. I feel because of my background I am able to bring in these Afro-Latin rhythms, but subdued and mellowed out a bit. So it’s kind of a tropical chill vibe. Like you’re on a vacation somewhere :)
Being a musician can be lonely-as you take time to get to know the piece, composer, syle...on the flip side, collaborating with others brings immense joy-especially when all parties are on the same page, with the same goals. How do you collaborate with others?: I have been fortunate enough to be raised in a very musically inclined family. It’s amazing when siblings come together and make music. It’s like brainstorming with people who easily tap in your mind because our lives have been so parallel and we can understand exactly what are trying to express without needing to explain it very much. It’s like we share so much of the same musical elements that make collaborating so cool.
Speaking of joy, what illuminates your musical spirit?: Seeing an artist in their purest form, being completely vulnerable. Unabashed individualism.
Please share a pivotal experience that brought you to where you are today - Where your current musical life lies. For example, are you an educator, entrepreneur, performer (what type of ensembles do you work with?), student, or a combination. Most artists have a dream oproject in mind. What dreams and goals are you willing to share?: I am a nurse by day. As you can imagine, coming into frequent contact with people in their last days can be jarring. As much of a privilege as it is, it can be very sad. Music offsets the stress and worry about very serious issues that bombard us everyday. I hope to be able to write about my experiences, as sad and beautiful as they’ve been I think it’s important for people to not lose sight of what matters. Connectedness, living a full life, reaching for your dreams. It had not been until recently that I started pursuing music more outside of work and it completely changed my day to day. It’s meditative and so healing and I recommend it to everyone.
Bonus* Where can people find you on social media? Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Snapchat...: IG: @dianalorena YouTube: YouTube.com/DianaLorena
MEET Keturah Gray
Photo by www.ishangophotos.com
Keturah Gray is a flutist in Kingston Jamaica. She is the flute instructor at Edna Manley College of Music and also works with flutists from the Immaculate High School Orchestra as well as utilizing her Orff training
Read moreMEET Camille Aragones
Singer, Camille Aragones, started her career at the tender age of three. Her parents are from the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. Her latin background is always featured in her music. Camille has recorded two
Read moreTHE Seven Pillars
Connect
We create avenues to connect musicians from monthly newsletters, social media, and events like the Interactive Flute Retreat.
Explore
Seven Pillars explores new places, people, and opportunities for growth.
Beauty
All about beauty in nature, relationships, music. “Close your eyes. Listen. Nothing is missing” - Maxime Lagace
Music
“Music is the universal language of mankind” - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Cross-Culture Collaboration
Our featured musicians come from America, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Columbia, Serbia… We would love more!
Illuminate
“Reflections are beautiful illuminating souls they give window to every other thing” - Suyasha Subedi
Artistic Soul
“Art washes away from the soul the dust of every day life”- Picasso
