Blog

New Violin!

4/13/2020

In addition, I got a brand new custom electric Violin by a company called Fortevio! It's beyond amazing! Check it out on my demo! Also Get a glimpse of it in action with some members of Dublin Free Press Here!

Well it's been a while...

4/13/2020

I must say, the last few years have been so amazing to get to perform and teach so many of you! This new situation we were thrown into has really screwed up a lot of musicians and our drive and desire.

I, myself have a lot to update you on. I've auditioned for a local University here in Houston. I will only announce which University it is once, I've talked more with them about scholarship and such. COVID-19 has thrown a wrench into most musician’s, school’s and really just everyone’s income and wellbeing.

Lets start back a couple months ago, shall we. I have been having so much fun running my own private studio, practicing, cooking, performing and being able to do things I've always wanted to do. I've had so much time recently to discover Yoga and to try and recenter myself again. I will absolutely admit that I wish I had more motivation to practice. I wish I could be face to face with my students to help them work through all of this and answer any questions I could. It has been hard for a lot of us to even think about touching our instruments due to the fact that we have no idea when we will play another concert. Let alone the students who have no idea when things might go back to normal. I started the process of reforming Dublin Free Press over the last few months and I am very excited to announce that! During this quarantine time, I’ve been able to really get into my yoga practice. I just started running today but I can tell you my knees and cement to do not mix. Hopefully after this is all done, I’ll actually be able to go group yoga. The thought of a yoga class has always given me anxiety. I’ve been working on new material and getting a website up and running for Dublin Free Press and I’ve really had time to realize that I love to cook and I’m decent at it! If you have any favorite recipes, I’m willing to try my luck at them! Send them my way! Also if you don’t have an instant pot, GO GET ONE NOW! So in short, we are all stuck inside. We are all in this together. Do what you love. Discover new things that you can love and things you can do to fill your time. Like fix your old broken laptop cause you never know when that will come in handy! Listen to new music, learn a new language, listen to old music, literally anything that wont hurt or harm another living being. Meet new people via social media and most of all, be kind and loving towards one another. Try to go out to get some fresh air and just wave to someone next door. It might make their day just as much as it might make yours. And if you even get the smallest bit of inspiration to practice, do. Everyone stay healthy and stay safe! Lots of love. -Emilio

Happy New Year!

1/1/2018

It has been a year of injury and annoyance for me. But there have also been some amazing things that have happened this year! I've had to delay auditions and stop playing violin for about a week or more at a time. If you can stretch and keep your body in tip top shape, you'll really benefit as a musician. And I don’t know, THINK ABOUT ALL YOUR MUSCLES ALL THE TIME.... You would think I would learn that maybe a fire arms class, an intense lesson, practicing and a workout would probably exacerbate an old injury. 🙄 I can still teach and play a bit but every day it gets better. It all kind of started right after the hurricane. Which I still can’t even talk about yet. Houston has definitely suffered but we are pulling together and getting though it all!

That all being said, I have to figure out how to stop over working my left wrist. I have apparently been twerking it in a weird way that it hurts so much I have to stop playing. Now that I am done playing for the holiday season, I can think more about my movements and everything I am doing that causes the pain. I took the last few days off and have noticed a few things about my technique that make things a bit better. Do any of my musicians friends have any good stretching techniques or tips other than stop playing? That’s just not an option. I have an audition in the middle of February and I cannot see myself doing it if this pain doesn’t stop. I will try Tiger balm and Kinesio Tape tonight. Even after a couple hours of teaching (not even full on playing or practicing) the muscles in my wrist and arm are inflamed.
I have a book called “Playing (Less) Hurt” by Janet Horvath. I’ve heard amazing things about this book and it’s finally time to read it! (I’ve had it since 2011 🤦‍♂️)

That all being said, I’ve finally figured out that my wrist has just been working too hard. I usually do wrist vibrato and I love my vibrato. NowI have to change it up a bit and do arm vibrato to let me wrist heal a bit. I’ve also realized that my fingers love to fly off of the fingerboard dramatically when I am playing. I think it’s a habit I picked up playing mostly Celtic music growing up.
I do love watching my idols and friends play and studying their technique. Almost all of my idols growing up fit wrist vibrato and I remember learning it in 7th grade.
So friends and colleagues, what type of vibrato do you do and How have you had to reshape your technique to help your muscles and playing?

Happy 2018!! Obviously my resolution is to practice more and be more aware of my playing to not overwork my wrist as well as a few other personal things.
Working out more (I already fail that on the first day of the new year) 🤔
Cooking more
Saving money
Spending more time with my puppy
Singing more (I secretly want to be a backup dancer/ singer)
Being a happier and nicer person
Drive less
Getting more rest

What are some of your resolutions?

Life Realizations

7/24/2017

So two things of no importance...
Item 1, It's Shark Week
Item 2, I just got rid of my cable... #TVaddictfail #Sharkbait #Oohhaha

NOW to the real blog post;
Since my last post, I've been decluttering, cleaning and selling all my useless possessions. (HOORAY)
I love seeing my house open up and seeing things go to people that will use them! After taking some time to myself and looking at what I want to do with my life, I've come to the radical conclusion that I am just not 100% sure yet. I do have dream jobs!
Want to know what they are?
Me too. ;)

I've started taking steps to realizing my dream and making them a reality. Not only do these dreams take place in the music world, but also in my personal life. I have a lot of self progress that I want to accomplish this year. I am now 27 and am not where I thought I would be in my life. In all honesty, I've never really thought about where I would be after college. My career is getting there but all things stem from being happy with yourself. I'm happy but there are still many things left to make sure I'm completely happy with myself and my life.

Eating healthier to ensure my body can handle all the performance and practice that I want to do for the rest of my life is my biggest goal. I hope this will help me lose weight and feel more comfortable in myself. This means a more energetic performance from me.

How many of you have come up with a successful diet? I'm finally cutting gluten out and running at least 4-5 a week. I probably need to cut out carbs but I'll start that soon.
When I run, it is a way to clear my head AND think of new ways to further my career. That being said;

I have some amazing things planned for my Electric Quartet that I will announce very soon! I'm really looking forward to getting back into the classical crossover scene.
I'll leave you with the little gem I recorded years ago! #MondayMemories

Have a happy week!!

Vacation. All I ever wanted

7/1/2017

I think I am still in vacation mode but I think it's me trying to Do Less. While I was on vacation I started reading Do Less by Rachel Jonat. It really gave me a sense of relaxation in my thoughts as well as what I was going to do once I get back home! Or maybe it was the waves crashing on the beach...

EITHER way I was ready to start getting rid of crap I didn't need at home just after the first few chapters. My list consists of Beanie Babies, a couch, dvds and a Blueray Player and more!

That all being said I feel well rested and like I want to move somewhere with beautiful water not too far away. I did a lot of walking/ hiking, eating AMAZING Puerto Rican food, enjoying their beautiful beaches and enjoying San Juan Day and Pride! My colleague and I tried to see a concert while we were there but the time was posted incorrectly. So we just wandered around Old San Juan. If you have never been, you need to go!!

The food was amazing, the beaches were stunning and the people there were so kind and beautiful! I had never been to Puerto Rico and really wasn't sure what to expect but I would go back in a heartbeat!

I love asking people questions and seeing what your responses are! Where are some of the most beautiful place you've visited and why was it so stunning?