Ara’s journey as a solo vocal artist, songwriter, and producer. She started at a very young age. An interesting quote from a family member, “Ara was singing before she could talk. She used to take her tape recorder everywhere, even slept with it.” She became obsessed with sound, singing, and recording, writing her first song at the age of 10 and performing publicly as a teenager. As a teen, she also acquired her first multitrack recorder and from that point, there was no turning back. She began to lay down tracks and develop her sonic visions. “I realized I could create a world or an experience for the listener. Music became a transporter or time machine.  Ara graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. in Music and a B.S. in Electronic Media from Kutztown University.  Later she began performing in her hometown which led to her touring nationally via the collegiate circuit.

Time spent living abroad gave her a refreshing new perspective on life, music, and writing. This sojourn increased her appetite to create something that embodied the feeling, heart, and soul of the Mediterranean and the ancient world. Now, based out of Hollywood, she continues performing, writing, and collaborating with notable DJs and Producers adding her voice and musical insight to some amazing new EDM tracks. She developed a passion for mixing and spinning over the years and is now performing every weekend in Los Angeles. (DJing or Singing)

Establishing herself as a powerhouse performer with a strong following and clear vision, she continues to blaze the trail of an independent female artist with an unyielding dedication to her craft. Perpetually challenging herself artistically to create innovative “sound experiences” for the listener to enjoy. Wrapped in a foundation of spirituality, talent, heart, the power of her voice and music inspire audiences and bring joy to listeners everywhere. This artist’s journey has just begun.

Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?

Ara – I had always loved music and singing. In high school, I was singing every day in my room and a friend invited me to perform at the end-of-year concert for our High School.

I accepted thinking we would be performing as a duo since I had never performed publicly before. The song we were doing was “Can’t Live If Living is Without You” by Mariah Carey. By a strange twist of fate, my friend was unable to do the show and there I was doing a Mariah Carey Solo in front of the entire school. It was a life-defining moment.

I gave it my all even though my knees were shaking, but something extraordinary happened. I did what I loved doing most in the world and the audience was moved as much as I was. We were in that moment together as one and it was the greatest feeling ever had in my life. For weeks, I had students and teachers coming up to me saying how much the performance and my voice touched them or triggered them emotionally. I knew that it was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started this career?

Ara – In college, I had the chance to compose and perform a song for the daughters of Oliver Brown, the man who took his case to the Supreme Court, Brown v Board of Education, the landmark case which led to the desegregation of schools. It was such an immense honor. The song was called “Warrior” it was about humankind’s ancient connection to the sacred and magical and how we are in a war to preserve it. They appreciated the song so much that they wanted to put the lyrics on a memorial stone in Topeka Kansas commemorating their father’s victory.

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

Ara –  It wasn’t funny at the time, but I was doing a showcase in Atlanta for one of the collegiate conventions. I had a small mixer on top of my keyboard for my performance in front of about 800 students. Right before I was going on, the act that was up before me bumped into my keyboard and the mixer fell to the floor. When it was my time to start my segment, we had no connection for vocals or keyboard. Luckily, the sound guys rushed in and fixed the issue, but the momentum was pretty much flat after that intro. I learned to always use electrical tape to secure every piece of equipment on stage. Also, to expect the unexpected and roll with the punches anyway. They don’t say the show must go on for nothing lol.

What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?

Ara – Right now I’m excited about some new original songs that I’ve been writing. I have been so deep in performance for so long, but Co-vid made me stop and take a look at how I haven’t been creating like I want to. I’m also doing some vocals for a Philadelphia-based DJ/Producer Jeff Rush, an English Remix of a Russian Trance Hit. I’d also like to collaborate on another track with Swiss Based Producer Steve Sanders with whom I worked a few years ago and our track was signed to an EDM label in Thailand.

Finally, I just launched my Patreon which is a website that artists can join and provide perks for their biggest supporters, not just musicians, but painters, illustrators everything.

I’m super excited because I’ll have more interaction with my fan base that I’ve built over the years and the community is mutually beneficial.

Who are some of the most interesting people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories?

Ara – I’ve really come in contact with some fascinating, interesting, crazy characters over the years. Both celebrity and unknown. Probably one of the most impactful meetings I had was at the beginning of my career. I was working as an audio engineer at a small production company in Allentown PA. I’m originally from Wyomissing, PA which is about an hour north of Philadelphia. One of the projects I was working on was editing a radio promo for a wrestling school in the area owned by Afa Anoa’i who was part of the “Wild Samoans” in the WWF. So one day, Afa’s Nephew, Dwayne Johnson who graduated from Liberty High School in Allentown,  flew in to do a promo and we were filming him. His presence was awesome, you could feel this immense, dynamic energy when he walked into the room. I took a photo with him and stepped on his shoe because I get clumsy when nervous lol. He was very gracious and kind about it. Seeing how someone could come from our area and reach the levels of success he did, but also how down to earth he was to fly in and support his family left a huge impact on me ever since.

Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?

Ara – Try to keep a steady pace, but know when to pull back to rest and regenerate. I’ve always been a very intense achiever and it got to a point where I wasn’t even enjoying my accomplishments. Just focused on the next. It almost took me to the point of a breakdown so you have to pace yourself. If you don’t have your health, you won’t be making music, performing, or anything so remember health is wealth.

Can you share with our readers any self-care routines, practices, or treatments that you do to help your body, mind, or heart to thrive? Kindly share a story or an example for each? 

Ara – I like to do morning mediations to attain a positive mindset. Your morning mentality sets the stage for the rest of your day. Gratitude is one of the most powerful forces on earth, every morning I either make a list in my mind or in my journal of all the things I’m grateful for. I also try to get to the gym as much as possible. I take lots of supplements & vitamins. I also try to keep Sunday as a day to relax my mind and regenerate.

What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why? Please share a story or example for each.

Ara –

1. Don’t compare yourself to others. You’re on a path of your own.
2. No one knows your full potential except you.
3. Don’t listen to naysayers, they will try to define you by their own limitations.
4. Just because it didn’t happen overnight, doesn’t mean it won’t happen, be patient with yourself and your journey.
5. The people you spend the most time with will reflect who you are and who you will be. Choose wisely.

Can you please give us your favorite  “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life? 

Ara – There are a few. I think one of my favorites lately is “ You don’t need to understand my magic. I do”

I spent a lot of my early life people-pleasing and I think it’s really important, especially for artists to know their own worth and value regardless of the opinions of others. At the end of the day, you have to look in the mirror and be happy with who you see. Inside and out.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

Ara – My Dad and Mom have been so supportive over the years. My Dad always told me to “do what you love and follow your dream.”  He would always say, ”I just want you to be happy.” Their belief in me was a real strength along the way. I’m grateful every day for them.

You are a person of enormous influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.

Ara – I’m actually starting an artist community via Patreon to bring lovers of music, art, and like-minded individuals together to spread unity. I feel if people could unite under noble purposes, instead of greed, the world could be Heaven on Earth. Unfortunately, some of the powers that be are terrified of that happening so they will continue their divide and conquer tactics. Hopefully, someday we’ll be able to see through their manipulations. I’m also passionate about increasing awareness of Domestic Violence, which is an epidemic that is continuously pushed under the rug and unacknowledged by the media and society as a whole. Women are killed every day in this country by their domestic partners and you never even hear about it. It needs to be put under the spotlight.

We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might see this. 🙂

Ara – I would have to say, Bjork, as an artist she really pushed the limitations of what music and sound can be. Growing up she changed my perspectives of what a “song” is and how the possibilities of the Sonicare realm are endless. She kind of freed me as a writer. I don’t think she ever cared what anyone thought about her or her music, she just had a burning desire to create and manifest those incredibly unique pieces.

How can our readers follow you online?

Ara – you can follow Ara on IG – @Arasound

www.Arasound.com

https://www.patreon.com/Aranation