Today we’d like to introduce you to Dre Mazzenga
Hi Dre, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been involved in the arts my whole life, starting as a kid in musical theatre. I remember the first time I stepped on stage and sang as loud as I could I felt this instant sense of empowerment. It felt like a safe place to express myself, and have my voice really be heard. As a young girl, that’s an explosive discovery and a sharp contrast to the mindset of “Be a good girl, sit quietly, speak when spoken to”. Since then, I’ve traversed many chapters in my journey as an artist including off-broadway theatre, voiceover/ radio jingles, pop original projects, cover bands. I am constantly looking inward to figure out which expression of art is best suited for this moment in my life. I encourage all my artist friends not to get stuck in our habits and make sure we are asking ourselves if the art we are making today is still serving our needs and goals.
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 are constant challenges as an artist moving through this world. Some of them are more obvious to the public perception of a working artist, like financial stability. Some are more private, like the ability to convey confidence on stage even on days when you are physically or emotionally struggling. I feel blessed to be an artist in Austin, when I’m struggling I can lean on resources like the SIMS Foundation (Mental health resources for musicians) and HAAM (Health Alliance for Austin Musicians). My hardest year as an artist was 2020 when art came to a screeching halt. The anxiety and uncertainty of the pandemic made even casually listening to music a trigger. I embraced the silence for a little while and worked through that anxiety in therapy to find a healthy way back to music. It was a sobering reminder that even our greatest joys in life shouldn’t be taken for granted.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
My current project “Dre Acoustic” focuses on playing soft music for Weddings, Private Parties, and Corporate Events. I play either Solo (piano/vocal), or Duo (guitar/piano/vocal). I create stripped-down version of well known pop songs from the last 7 decades. It’s such an honor to sing a couple down the aisle, elevating their big moment with some musical drama. I’ve grown a deep appreciation for background music in general. I love being tucked into a corner at an event and setting a chill, relaxing vibe for the guests.
What does success mean to you?
Success, from my view, is a moving target. I do set goals for myself, both short and long term and hold myself accountable when something is/isn’t working out. But honestly, any day I get to play music is a treasure. So I suppose success to me is simply: consistency.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dreacoustic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dreacousticlivemusic/
