Today we’d like to introduce you to Benjamin Pedraza.
Hi Benjamin, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My story began with me teaching guitar lessons in high school. I really wanted to do something in music, but was always told it wasn’t practical. So I thought I could keep a hobby and side hustle in music. But as the years went by, I started doing more music projects. I started and played in bands, and did solo projects. Pretty soon I was singing and writing my own songs, and I also kept teaching as it turned into a solid income stream. Then I started teaching more than just guitar. I basically teach anything with strings or a keyboard now! It’s been well over a decade, and I’m still a full-time musician, performer, and teacher. Now I get to play music in Central Texas, Scotland, and Spain. What a time!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Doubt was and still sometimes is the biggest hurdle. There were so many times where I would think, “What am I doing? I need to ‘get real’ and get a ‘real job’ for the sake of my future.” But I always end up doubling down with music and my business instead – and I’m glad I do.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I sing and cover songs, play guitar and violin, write my own music, and I even DJ. My main genres are rock ‘n’ roll and folk, but really I’m quite genre-fluid – really I just like anything that sounds good to me! I love performing for people, but I also really love to teach. I teach guitar, vocals, violin, ukulele, bass guitar, keyboard, drums, audio production, and songwriting. I call my personal brand of music lessons “music mentoring,” which I believe sets me apart from other instructors. I like to show my students the business side of being a musician (such as booking your first gigs), as well as the technical music side of things. I customize things for whoever I am performing for, or for whoever I am teaching. I’m really proud of all of this!
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I definitely think of myself as a risk-taker. Music is a risky industry, a risky hobby, and a risky career. The biggest risk I’ve taken is deciding to never get a 9 to 5 job and pursue music. I worked as a server/bartender for a while until I was ready to quit that and just focus on music full-time instead. As a business owner, taking out loans and investing in my music business is a huge risk. Or even when I write a song and share it with the world, that feels like a risk as well. All I know is how to take risks! But I’ve seen how they can pay off, and that’s what keeps me moving forward.
Pricing:
- Solo acoustic set (3 hours) $350
- DJ set (2 to 3 hours) $300
- Online Music Mentoring Lesson (1 hour, various instruments) $120
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.benjilamar.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benjilamar/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benjilamarmusic
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-pedraza-music/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@benjilamar
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/benjilamar
