the broad topic of today’s TED talk is admiring excellence and there are so
admiring excellence and there are so
admiring excellence and there are so many ways to interpret that word right
many ways to interpret that word right
many ways to interpret that word right brilliance distinction value worth
brilliance distinction value worth
brilliance distinction value worth talent but my question to you is once
talent but my question to you is once
talent but my question to you is once you know why you’re excellent how do you
you know why you’re excellent how do you
you know why you’re excellent how do you become successful in other words our
become successful in other words our
become successful in other words our topic our subtopic is okay you’re
topic our subtopic is okay you’re
topic our subtopic is okay you’re talented now what so I’m going to run
talented now what so I’m going to run
talented now what so I’m going to run you by some of my steps for
you by some of my steps for
you by some of my steps for understanding how to bring your
understanding how to bring your
understanding how to bring your excellence out into the world we start
excellence out into the world we start
excellence out into the world we start up here your ideology and your belief
up here your ideology and your belief
up here your ideology and your belief now I want you to throw away all
now I want you to throw away all
now I want you to throw away all previous notions you have of success and
previous notions you have of success and
previous notions you have of success and understand with me for a second that
understand with me for a second that
understand with me for a second that success as a word is extremely
success as a word is extremely
success as a word is extremely problematic what does it mean to be
problematic what does it mean to be
problematic what does it mean to be successful has anyone ever heard of
successful has anyone ever heard of
successful has anyone ever heard of Icarus he is a character from Greek
Icarus he is a character from Greek
Icarus he is a character from Greek mythology and long story short he flew
mythology and long story short he flew
mythology and long story short he flew too close to the Sun and got burnt out
too close to the Sun and got burnt out
too close to the Sun and got burnt out so the moment you feel like you’ve
so the moment you feel like you’ve
so the moment you feel like you’ve reached your pinnacle your soaring in
reached your pinnacle your soaring in
reached your pinnacle your soaring in the sky leaving everyone beneath you is
the sky leaving everyone beneath you is
the sky leaving everyone beneath you is probably a moment you’ve left out an
probably a moment you’ve left out an
probably a moment you’ve left out an opportunity you’ve left out to better
opportunity you’ve left out to better
opportunity you’ve left out to better yourself success is a process of
yourself success is a process of
yourself success is a process of progress for me I think success is
progress for me I think success is
progress for me I think success is something I’ll achieve probably once I’m
something I’ll achieve probably once I’m
something I’ll achieve probably once I’m on my deathbed I look back and I realize
on my deathbed I look back and I realize
on my deathbed I look back and I realize maybe the Ronna you’ve you’ve done what
maybe the Ronna you’ve you’ve done what
maybe the Ronna you’ve you’ve done what you wanted to do in life maybe life was
you wanted to do in life maybe life was
you wanted to do in life maybe life was in the journey of it maybe success was
in the journey of it maybe success was
in the journey of it maybe success was in the journey of it that brings us here
in the journey of it that brings us here
in the journey of it that brings us here to the heart why do we as artists do
to the heart why do we as artists do
to the heart why do we as artists do what we do why do artists make art what
what we do why do artists make art what
what we do why do artists make art what makes us special and the answer is so
makes us special and the answer is so
makes us special and the answer is so simple it’s almost brilliant it’s love
simple it’s almost brilliant it’s love
simple it’s almost brilliant it’s love my relationship with music is probably
my relationship with music is probably
my relationship with music is probably the purest form of love I can even
the purest form of love I can even
the purest form of love I can even understand music saves me from my demons
understand music saves me from my demons
understand music saves me from my demons it to further that responsibility it
it to further that responsibility it
it to further that responsibility it makes me want to do the same for other
makes me want to do the same for other
makes me want to do the same for other people
people
people so I feel like when I write I’m trying
so I feel like when I write I’m trying
so I feel like when I write I’m trying to help other people I’m trying to
to help other people I’m trying to
to help other people I’m trying to uplift other people as a child I faced a
uplift other people as a child I faced a
uplift other people as a child I faced a lot of family issues which translated
lot of family issues which translated
lot of family issues which translated into social anxiety from school through
into social anxiety from school through
into social anxiety from school through college I felt like a complete misfit
college I felt like a complete misfit
college I felt like a complete misfit i isolated myself outcasted myself
i isolated myself outcasted myself
i isolated myself outcasted myself really drove myself into a corner
really drove myself into a corner
really drove myself into a corner but music gave me a creative voice music
but music gave me a creative voice music
but music gave me a creative voice music taught me discipline music taught me how
taught me discipline music taught me how
taught me discipline music taught me how to respect other people and their time
to respect other people and their time
to respect other people and their time music taught me that I could have
music taught me that I could have
music taught me that I could have friends and a family and some of my
friends and a family and some of my
friends and a family and some of my family is going to be speaking after me
family is going to be speaking after me
family is going to be speaking after me today when I compose I feel like I’m
today when I compose I feel like I’m
today when I compose I feel like I’m attaining a certain level of
attaining a certain level of
attaining a certain level of spirituality sometimes I feel like it’s
spirituality sometimes I feel like it’s
spirituality sometimes I feel like it’s not even me that’s writing that’s not
not even me that’s writing that’s not
not even me that’s writing that’s not it’s not me that’s composing it’s
it’s not me that’s composing it’s
it’s not me that’s composing it’s something that’s external an external
something that’s external an external
something that’s external an external force that writes through me and that
force that writes through me and that
force that writes through me and that force that strong force is something I
force that strong force is something I
force that strong force is something I want you to be able to tap into which is
want you to be able to tap into which is
want you to be able to tap into which is why I can’t stress enough how important
why I can’t stress enough how important
why I can’t stress enough how important it is for you guys to do what you love
it is for you guys to do what you love
it is for you guys to do what you love you must love what you do and do what
you must love what you do and do what
you must love what you do and do what you love and you must love your art and
you love and you must love your art and
you love and you must love your art and art doesn’t have to mean music art can
art doesn’t have to mean music art can
art doesn’t have to mean music art can be engineering art can be medicine art
be engineering art can be medicine art
be engineering art can be medicine art can be cooking art can be cleaning the
can be cooking art can be cleaning the
can be cooking art can be cleaning the philosophy remains the same love is the
philosophy remains the same love is the
philosophy remains the same love is the strongest life force in the universe and
strongest life force in the universe and
strongest life force in the universe and love powers art isn’t that perfect
love powers art isn’t that perfect
love powers art isn’t that perfect isn’t that beautiful this brings me to
isn’t that beautiful this brings me to
isn’t that beautiful this brings me to my next step which is in persevering and
my next step which is in persevering and
my next step which is in persevering and this is a word my father taught me when
this is a word my father taught me when
this is a word my father taught me when I was six or seven years old that’s me
I was six or seven years old that’s me
I was six or seven years old that’s me looking like a complete idiot I was six
looking like a complete idiot I was six
looking like a complete idiot I was six years old and I was performing a song
years old and I was performing a song
years old and I was performing a song called fury release it’s a Western
called fury release it’s a Western
called fury release it’s a Western classical piano piece I performed in
classical piano piece I performed in
classical piano piece I performed in front of thousands of people at Tom Lee
front of thousands of people at Tom Lee
front of thousands of people at Tom Lee Auditorium in Canada my father used to
Auditorium in Canada my father used to
Auditorium in Canada my father used to take me out for walks and tell me there
take me out for walks and tell me there
take me out for walks and tell me there are now if you want the entire world to
are now if you want the entire world to
are now if you want the entire world to know who you are there are no if you
know who you are there are no if you
know who you are there are no if you want the world to know your voice
want the world to know your voice
want the world to know your voice there’s only one way to do it and ask
there’s only one way to do it and ask
there’s only one way to do it and ask them what what
them what what
them what what what do I have to do and he told me you
what do I have to do and he told me you
what do I have to do and he told me you have to persevere what does that even
have to persevere what does that even
have to persevere what does that even mean what what what is perseverance mean
mean what what what is perseverance mean
mean what what what is perseverance mean does it mean hard work is that all that
does it mean hard work is that all that
does it mean hard work is that all that perseverance is he told me stories of
perseverance is he told me stories of
perseverance is he told me stories of girls who slept with violins under their
girls who slept with violins under their
girls who slept with violins under their pillows he told me stories about boys
pillows he told me stories about boys
pillows he told me stories about boys who loved music more than food and then
who loved music more than food and then
who loved music more than food and then I realized that if you want something
I realized that if you want something
I realized that if you want something and if you love something you have to
and if you love something you have to
and if you love something you have to really really push yourself and
really really push yourself and
really really push yourself and challenge yourself for it and I did that
challenge yourself for it and I did that
challenge yourself for it and I did that I’m 22 now it’s been quite a bit within
I’m 22 now it’s been quite a bit within
I’m 22 now it’s been quite a bit within a long time and I know that I have
a long time and I know that I have
a long time and I know that I have pushed myself through some of the most
pushed myself through some of the most
pushed myself through some of the most difficult times in my life probably even
difficult times in my life probably even
difficult times in my life probably even more so when I felt like things were
more so when I felt like things were
more so when I felt like things were chaotic and things were unbearable and I
chaotic and things were unbearable and I
chaotic and things were unbearable and I failed many times and I’ve learnt and
failed many times and I’ve learnt and
failed many times and I’ve learnt and I’ve healed but at the end of it what
I’ve healed but at the end of it what
I’ve healed but at the end of it what I’ve understood and what I’ve learned is
I’ve understood and what I’ve learned is
I’ve understood and what I’ve learned is that you have to keep trying
that you have to keep trying
that you have to keep trying opportunities are not going to present
opportunities are not going to present
opportunities are not going to present themselves to you you have to run after
themselves to you you have to run after
themselves to you you have to run after them you have to want them you have to
them you have to want them you have to
them you have to want them you have to really really really want them you have
really really really want them you have
really really really want them you have to ask for what you want because it’s
to ask for what you want because it’s
to ask for what you want because it’s not it’s it it’s actually quite amazing
not it’s it it’s actually quite amazing
not it’s it it’s actually quite amazing and this is something I’ve learned
and this is something I’ve learned
and this is something I’ve learned throughout the years when you ask for
throughout the years when you ask for
throughout the years when you ask for something it doesn’t matter how big a
something it doesn’t matter how big a
something it doesn’t matter how big a person is or how much he’s achieved or
person is or how much he’s achieved or
person is or how much he’s achieved or who he is in the world if you ask for
who he is in the world if you ask for
who he is in the world if you ask for something even as you even as University
something even as you even as University
something even as you even as University students or a school kid or or a budding
students or a school kid or or a budding
students or a school kid or or a budding musician if you ask for something and
musician if you ask for something and
musician if you ask for something and you really want it and you’re willing to
you really want it and you’re willing to
you really want it and you’re willing to work to get it you will get it you have
work to get it you will get it you have
work to get it you will get it you have to start with that belief you will get
to start with that belief you will get
to start with that belief you will get what you want if you ask for it this
what you want if you ask for it this
what you want if you ask for it this brings me to the fourth step and this is
brings me to the fourth step and this is
brings me to the fourth step and this is probably the most important step in
probably the most important step in
probably the most important step in understanding success and understanding
understanding success and understanding
understanding success and understanding how to get there
how to get there
how to get there and that is originality what does it
and that is originality what does it
and that is originality what does it mean to be you who are you what is your
mean to be you who are you what is your
mean to be you who are you what is your voice what is your story Cobain was
voice what is your story Cobain was
voice what is your story Cobain was depressed the Beatles were druggies
depressed the Beatles were druggies
depressed the Beatles were druggies me that’s me my project is called
me that’s me my project is called
me that’s me my project is called komorebi it’s a Japanese word that means
komorebi it’s a Japanese word that means
komorebi it’s a Japanese word that means sunlight that filters through tree
sunlight that filters through tree
sunlight that filters through tree leaves as a child I used to watch anime
leaves as a child I used to watch anime
leaves as a child I used to watch anime with my brother anime is a type of
with my brother anime is a type of
with my brother anime is a type of Japanese art it’s has anyone seen anime
Japanese art it’s has anyone seen anime
Japanese art it’s has anyone seen anime does anyone watch anime there you go you
does anyone watch anime there you go you
does anyone watch anime there you go you guys are your the nodes in the house I
guys are your the nodes in the house I
guys are your the nodes in the house I used to watch a lot of anime with my
used to watch a lot of anime with my
used to watch a lot of anime with my brother and we used to watch anime
brother and we used to watch anime
brother and we used to watch anime beyond our bedtime before sleeping and I
beyond our bedtime before sleeping and I
beyond our bedtime before sleeping and I was so so blown away by the soundtracks
was so so blown away by the soundtracks
was so so blown away by the soundtracks I was just I would sing it going to
I was just I would sing it going to
I was just I would sing it going to sleep I would wake up in the morning
sleep I would wake up in the morning
sleep I would wake up in the morning humming it I would follow it on my
humming it I would follow it on my
humming it I would follow it on my parents and keep singing it all day long
parents and keep singing it all day long
parents and keep singing it all day long and irritate everyone and then I
and irritate everyone and then I
and irritate everyone and then I realized that you know this is something
realized that you know this is something
realized that you know this is something I might want to get into later and
I might want to get into later and
I might want to get into later and komorebi is a product of that it’s a
komorebi is a product of that it’s a
komorebi is a product of that it’s a product of my childhood it’s a product
product of my childhood it’s a product
product of my childhood it’s a product of things I used to listen to it’s a
of things I used to listen to it’s a
of things I used to listen to it’s a product of everything that shapes me I’m
product of everything that shapes me I’m
product of everything that shapes me I’m weird I’m quirky my music is also weird
weird I’m quirky my music is also weird
weird I’m quirky my music is also weird and quirky it’s electronic minimalistic
and quirky it’s electronic minimalistic
and quirky it’s electronic minimalistic music based on Japanese animation
music based on Japanese animation
music based on Japanese animation because I’m so obsessed with Japan I’m
because I’m so obsessed with Japan I’m
because I’m so obsessed with Japan I’m actually going to share a slight bit of
actually going to share a slight bit of
actually going to share a slight bit of my music with you right now
my music with you right now
my music with you right now it’s a song called Miyazaki’s dream and
it’s a song called Miyazaki’s dream and
it’s a song called Miyazaki’s dream and it’s my interpretation of what does
it’s my interpretation of what does
it’s my interpretation of what does anyone know Miyazaki he’s also a
anyone know Miyazaki he’s also a
anyone know Miyazaki he’s also a Japanese director he writes beautiful
Japanese director he writes beautiful
Japanese director he writes beautiful animated movies one of which is called
animated movies one of which is called
animated movies one of which is called spirited away I think it receives the
spirited away I think it receives the
spirited away I think it receives the most acclaim out of all of his movies he
most acclaim out of all of his movies he
most acclaim out of all of his movies he just retired but this is my
just retired but this is my
just retired but this is my interpretation of what Miyazaki’s dream
interpretation of what Miyazaki’s dream
interpretation of what Miyazaki’s dream would be like
would be like
would be like [Music]
okay great sound system you have guys so
okay great sound system you have guys so that’s my voice and it’s so so important
that’s my voice and it’s so so important
that’s my voice and it’s so so important to know your voice because the minute
to know your voice because the minute
to know your voice because the minute you feel like you need to tune into what
you feel like you need to tune into what
you feel like you need to tune into what the masses are thinking the minute you
the masses are thinking the minute you
the masses are thinking the minute you feel like you have to stick too much to
feel like you have to stick too much to
feel like you have to stick too much to formula the minute you worry too much
formula the minute you worry too much
formula the minute you worry too much about what other people want is a loss
about what other people want is a loss
about what other people want is a loss for you I think the people who have been
for you I think the people who have been
for you I think the people who have been legends and not sensations are people
legends and not sensations are people
legends and not sensations are people who are not afraid to embrace their
who are not afraid to embrace their
who are not afraid to embrace their excellence there are people who are not
excellence there are people who are not
excellence there are people who are not afraid to tell their stories there are
afraid to tell their stories there are
afraid to tell their stories there are people who really really worked on
people who really really worked on
people who really really worked on themselves they work on what they fed
themselves they work on what they fed
themselves they work on what they fed into their brains and spat out to the
into their brains and spat out to the
into their brains and spat out to the world they worked on their voice so my
world they worked on their voice so my
world they worked on their voice so my last my what the thought I want to leave
last my what the thought I want to leave
last my what the thought I want to leave you with today is that if you’re going
you with today is that if you’re going
you with today is that if you’re going to stick to formula great one good job
to stick to formula great one good job
to stick to formula great one good job but if you’re going to be unique then
but if you’re going to be unique then
but if you’re going to be unique then you must be so impeccable that the form
you must be so impeccable that the form
you must be so impeccable that the form adapts itself to you thank you I believe
adapts itself to you thank you I believe
adapts itself to you thank you I believe teaching is a fascinating profession
teaching is a fascinating profession
teaching is a fascinating profession I’ve had so many teachers in school and
I’ve had so many teachers in school and
I’ve had so many teachers in school and college and we had this horrendous joke
college and we had this horrendous joke
college and we had this horrendous joke back in school you know that we this
back in school you know that we this
back in school you know that we this small group of us thought of ourselves
small group of us thought of ourselves
small group of us thought of ourselves as outstanding students to these
as outstanding students to these
as outstanding students to these teachers because we spent most of his
teachers because we spent most of his
teachers because we spent most of his time standing outside class because you
time standing outside class because you
time standing outside class because you were thrown out for either talking too
were thrown out for either talking too
were thrown out for either talking too much or either not paying attention
much or either not paying attention
much or either not paying attention during our classes and I think the
during our classes and I think the
during our classes and I think the primary reason that this happened with
primary reason that this happened with
primary reason that this happened with us is because I never really felt a
us is because I never really felt a
us is because I never really felt a connection with what these teachers are
connection with what these teachers are
connection with what these teachers are trying to convey to me during the
trying to convey to me during the
trying to convey to me during the classes I can however think of maybe a
classes I can however think of maybe a
classes I can however think of maybe a select few teachers and I can count them
select few teachers and I can count them
select few teachers and I can count them on one hand who have truly touched me
on one hand who have truly touched me
on one hand who have truly touched me let me rephrase that sorry who have
let me rephrase that sorry who have
let me rephrase that sorry who have truly inspired me
this list includes my mother who I had a
this list includes my mother who I had a wonderful fortune of studying under when
wonderful fortune of studying under when
wonderful fortune of studying under when I was in college in first year and my
I was in college in first year and my
I was in college in first year and my newzik teacher mr. Manoj merveilleux and
newzik teacher mr. Manoj merveilleux and
newzik teacher mr. Manoj merveilleux and this got me thinking you know why is it
this got me thinking you know why is it
this got me thinking you know why is it that there are only a few people only
that there are only a few people only
that there are only a few people only few people who I can count on one hand
few people who I can count on one hand
few people who I can count on one hand who has taken me on a journey through
who has taken me on a journey through
who has taken me on a journey through the lectures and the teachings who have
the lectures and the teachings who have
the lectures and the teachings who have managed to paint pictures with their
managed to paint pictures with their
managed to paint pictures with their words and who have managed to open my
words and who have managed to open my
words and who have managed to open my eyes to something that I never thought
eyes to something that I never thought
eyes to something that I never thought you know I would be able to think off
you know I would be able to think off
you know I would be able to think off and I realized that the reason that this
and I realized that the reason that this
and I realized that the reason that this happens is because these people have
happens is because these people have
happens is because these people have managed to embody what they do they
managed to embody what they do they
managed to embody what they do they managed to embody their craft they’ve
managed to embody their craft they’ve
managed to embody their craft they’ve managed to take something like teaching
managed to take something like teaching
managed to take something like teaching and in other words make that lecture
and in other words make that lecture
and in other words make that lecture into a form of art I think this truly
into a form of art I think this truly
into a form of art I think this truly inspires me as an artist because I have
inspires me as an artist because I have
inspires me as an artist because I have now come to believe that artistry can
now come to believe that artistry can
now come to believe that artistry can exist in any form of profession in any
exist in any form of profession in any
exist in any form of profession in any professional Avenue and it’s the process
professional Avenue and it’s the process
professional Avenue and it’s the process of unraveling that artist within
of unraveling that artist within
of unraveling that artist within yourself that you truly you know you
yourself that you truly you know you
yourself that you truly you know you truly find your uniqueness and your
truly find your uniqueness and your
truly find your uniqueness and your voice
my father was well he used to love music
my father was well he used to love music and I remember when I was five or six
and I remember when I was five or six
and I remember when I was five or six years old he used to sit me down and
years old he used to sit me down and
years old he used to sit me down and used to play some of his favorite music
used to play some of his favorite music
used to play some of his favorite music and he was in love with a lot of
and he was in love with a lot of
and he was in love with a lot of different kind of music like he used
different kind of music like he used
different kind of music like he used used to listen to afro-cuban music and
used to listen to afro-cuban music and
used to listen to afro-cuban music and Latin music and used to listen to reggae
Latin music and used to listen to reggae
Latin music and used to listen to reggae and Indian classical music and I loved
and Indian classical music and I loved
and Indian classical music and I loved it all I think my I think my connection
it all I think my I think my connection
it all I think my I think my connection with music actually started there that’s
with music actually started there that’s
with music actually started there that’s when I that’s when I actually fell in
when I that’s when I actually fell in
when I that’s when I actually fell in love with many different kinds of music
love with many different kinds of music
love with many different kinds of music and unfortunately my father’s health
and unfortunately my father’s health
and unfortunately my father’s health began deteriorating very soon after that
began deteriorating very soon after that
began deteriorating very soon after that and when I was in India he was in
and when I was in India he was in
and when I was in India he was in England that’s where he was teaching he
England that’s where he was teaching he
England that’s where he was teaching he decided to send me of a very personal
decided to send me of a very personal
decided to send me of a very personal gift he made me a little mixtape in
gift he made me a little mixtape in
gift he made me a little mixtape in those days you could you could you know
those days you could you could you know
those days you could you could you know play CDs and in the same in the same
play CDs and in the same in the same
play CDs and in the same in the same music system you could record on two
music system you could record on two
music system you could record on two cassettes so my father sent me this
cassettes so my father sent me this
cassettes so my father sent me this cassette all the way from England which
cassette all the way from England which
cassette all the way from England which is filled with some of my favorite songs
is filled with some of my favorite songs
is filled with some of my favorite songs and in between each of these songs he
and in between each of these songs he
and in between each of these songs he recorded his own voice explaining to me
recorded his own voice explaining to me
recorded his own voice explaining to me why he had chosen these songs and why it
why he had chosen these songs and why it
why he had chosen these songs and why it is that those songs reminded
is that those songs reminded
is that those songs reminded of me I was obsessed with this cassette
of me I was obsessed with this cassette
of me I was obsessed with this cassette because it not only had my favorite
because it not only had my favorite
because it not only had my favorite music but it reminded me of him and I
music but it reminded me of him and I
music but it reminded me of him and I hadn’t seen him in years so I used to
hadn’t seen him in years so I used to
hadn’t seen him in years so I used to take this and my little Walkman walk
take this and my little Walkman walk
take this and my little Walkman walk around the place you know holding my
around the place you know holding my
around the place you know holding my mom’s hand in the market completely
mom’s hand in the market completely
mom’s hand in the market completely zoned out I almost got hit by a truck
zoned out I almost got hit by a truck
zoned out I almost got hit by a truck once because I was sitting there with my
once because I was sitting there with my
once because I was sitting there with my headphones and you know walking down the
headphones and you know walking down the
headphones and you know walking down the road and didn’t realize what was
road and didn’t realize what was
road and didn’t realize what was happening around me don’t listen to
happening around me don’t listen to
happening around me don’t listen to music guys while walking on the road or
music guys while walking on the road or
music guys while walking on the road or crossing the road never do that that’s
crossing the road never do that that’s
crossing the road never do that that’s when I rode in the field of arts began
when I rode in the field of arts began
when I rode in the field of arts began my mother and my stepfather now are
my mother and my stepfather now are
my mother and my stepfather now are extremely supportive people and I
extremely supportive people and I
extremely supportive people and I remember shortly after this my obsession
remember shortly after this my obsession
remember shortly after this my obsession or my you know complete craze for music
or my you know complete craze for music
or my you know complete craze for music slowly turned into a budding interest I
slowly turned into a budding interest I
slowly turned into a budding interest I was and this this interest kind of
was and this this interest kind of
was and this this interest kind of manifested itself in in rhythm and in
manifested itself in in rhythm and in
manifested itself in in rhythm and in percussion I don’t know why but I was
percussion I don’t know why but I was
percussion I don’t know why but I was totally obsessed with what drums could
totally obsessed with what drums could
totally obsessed with what drums could do to music not only what drums could do
do to music not only what drums could do
do to music not only what drums could do to music but what drums was doing to me
to music but what drums was doing to me
to music but what drums was doing to me and I realized it’s a very primal form
and I realized it’s a very primal form
and I realized it’s a very primal form of expression you know you hear a
of expression you know you hear a
of expression you know you hear a drumbeat and you automatically want to
drumbeat and you automatically want to
drumbeat and you automatically want to move you can’t really help yourself you
move you can’t really help yourself you
move you can’t really help yourself you know what I’m saying so at the end of
know what I’m saying so at the end of
know what I’m saying so at the end of the day my mother was always has always
the day my mother was always has always
the day my mother was always has always been a very supportive very open-minded
been a very supportive very open-minded
been a very supportive very open-minded person so I remember when I was a little
person so I remember when I was a little
person so I remember when I was a little kid she used to take me to a lot of
kid she used to take me to a lot of
kid she used to take me to a lot of Chinese restaurants and this one time I
Chinese restaurants and this one time I
Chinese restaurants and this one time I remember I was sitting there and I
remember I was sitting there and I
remember I was sitting there and I finished my meal and right beside me
finished my meal and right beside me
finished my meal and right beside me beside my plate I saw this these two
beside my plate I saw this these two
beside my plate I saw this these two little chopsticks and so I picked up one
little chopsticks and so I picked up one
little chopsticks and so I picked up one chopstick in one hand and the other one
chopstick in one hand and the other one
chopstick in one hand and the other one on the other hand and for a second I
on the other hand and for a second I
on the other hand and for a second I just had this flash where I saw myself
just had this flash where I saw myself
just had this flash where I saw myself sitting on this massive stage you know
sitting on this massive stage you know
sitting on this massive stage you know absolutely captivated by my audience and
absolutely captivated by my audience and
absolutely captivated by my audience and that was that was it for me you know as
that was that was it for me you know as
that was that was it for me you know as a kid I just decided to do a quick view
a kid I just decided to do a quick view
a kid I just decided to do a quick view of the room I took those chopsticks put
of the room I took those chopsticks put
of the room I took those chopsticks put them into my pocket and bounced I went
them into my pocket and bounced I went
them into my pocket and bounced I went back home is late at night my mom was
back home is late at night my mom was
back home is late at night my mom was asleep and I just arranged a few pots
asleep and I just arranged a few pots
asleep and I just arranged a few pots and pans a little bit of CD covers
and pans a little bit of CD covers
and pans a little bit of CD covers something whatever I could find around
something whatever I could find around
something whatever I could find around me and I started playing some of my
me and I started playing some of my
me and I started playing some of my favorite music and trying to trying to
favorite music and trying to trying to
favorite music and trying to trying to replicate what those what those
replicate what those what those
replicate what those what those drumbeats were and trying to trying to
drumbeats were and trying to trying to
drumbeats were and trying to trying to do what I could to do justice to those
do what I could to do justice to those
do what I could to do justice to those beats and on one very embarrassing
beats and on one very embarrassing
beats and on one very embarrassing morning my momma
morning my momma
morning my momma – Nani no English and being the
– Nani no English and being the
– Nani no English and being the sweetheart that she is she decided to
sweetheart that she is she decided to
sweetheart that she is she decided to play along with this little ritual so
play along with this little ritual so
play along with this little ritual so every time she’d go to Chinese
every time she’d go to Chinese
every time she’d go to Chinese restaurants she would flick a pair of
restaurants she would flick a pair of
restaurants she would flick a pair of chopsticks and she would bring it back
chopsticks and she would bring it back
chopsticks and she would bring it back to me as a souvenir and she’d say here
to me as a souvenir and she’d say here
to me as a souvenir and she’d say here now you can take it with a really weird
now you can take it with a really weird
now you can take it with a really weird family clearly but that stemmed into
family clearly but that stemmed into
family clearly but that stemmed into something which you know which drove me
something which you know which drove me
something which you know which drove me forward drove my interest in music
forward drove my interest in music
forward drove my interest in music forward and my mom started realizing
forward and my mom started realizing
forward and my mom started realizing that and that’s when she realized that
that and that’s when she realized that
that and that’s when she realized that my interest had become more of Italian
my interest had become more of Italian
my interest had become more of Italian she was he was able to she was able to
she was he was able to she was able to
she was he was able to she was able to tell that I had a certain knack for
tell that I had a certain knack for
tell that I had a certain knack for rhythm and that I was I was very
rhythm and that I was I was very
rhythm and that I was I was very interested in actually pursuing
interested in actually pursuing
interested in actually pursuing something like that so my mom bought me
something like that so my mom bought me
something like that so my mom bought me my first drum set and that was it that
my first drum set and that was it that
my first drum set and that was it that was it for me I’ve never looked back
was it for me I’ve never looked back
was it for me I’ve never looked back I’ve been playing obsessively constantly
I’ve been playing obsessively constantly
I’ve been playing obsessively constantly trying to figure out how to make myself
trying to figure out how to make myself
trying to figure out how to make myself do things that other people can’t on the
do things that other people can’t on the
do things that other people can’t on the drums and that’s something that I’ve
drums and that’s something that I’ve
drums and that’s something that I’ve I’ve always been obsessed with trying to
I’ve always been obsessed with trying to
I’ve always been obsessed with trying to make not only drums but music sound a
make not only drums but music sound a
make not only drums but music sound a little different a little unique
little different a little unique
little different a little unique something that other people aren’t able
something that other people aren’t able
something that other people aren’t able to do so I used to you know be obsessed
to do so I used to you know be obsessed
to do so I used to you know be obsessed with trying to hit the drum a certain
with trying to hit the drum a certain
with trying to hit the drum a certain way or trying to you know play with my
way or trying to you know play with my
way or trying to you know play with my hand or do something that makes a sound
hand or do something that makes a sound
hand or do something that makes a sound that’s unique which I haven’t heard in
that’s unique which I haven’t heard in
that’s unique which I haven’t heard in all these you know your your typical
all these you know your your typical
all these you know your your typical rock albums or your typical pop albums
rock albums or your typical pop albums
rock albums or your typical pop albums and you know that was basically a
and you know that was basically a
and you know that was basically a stepping stone to how I got into what I
stepping stone to how I got into what I
stepping stone to how I got into what I do now today it’s essentially what
do now today it’s essentially what
do now today it’s essentially what drives my art what helps me focus on
drives my art what helps me focus on
drives my art what helps me focus on drumming is the fact that I am able to
drumming is the fact that I am able to
drumming is the fact that I am able to produce something that is unique to me
produce something that is unique to me
produce something that is unique to me and that’s why till date I haven’t
and that’s why till date I haven’t
and that’s why till date I haven’t gotten bored of this instrument it’s
gotten bored of this instrument it’s
gotten bored of this instrument it’s something that keeps me going and keeps
something that keeps me going and keeps
something that keeps me going and keeps my heart pumping and what I’ve learned
my heart pumping and what I’ve learned
my heart pumping and what I’ve learned from being an artist is that you you
from being an artist is that you you
from being an artist is that you you essentially need to stand out you
essentially need to stand out you
essentially need to stand out you essentially need to be the best possible
essentially need to be the best possible
essentially need to be the best possible you you can be at that instrument you
you you can be at that instrument you
you you can be at that instrument you know people people actually have a
know people people actually have a
know people people actually have a really really weird misconception when
really really weird misconception when
really really weird misconception when it comes to the artistic and the
it comes to the artistic and the
it comes to the artistic and the creators here
creators here
creators here I don’t know about you guys but a lot of
I don’t know about you guys but a lot of
I don’t know about you guys but a lot of people that I’ve spoken to have to have
people that I’ve spoken to have to have
people that I’ve spoken to have to have this really strange image of artists as
this really strange image of artists as
this really strange image of artists as these you know these really grimy really
these you know these really grimy really
these you know these really grimy really like competitive people who are you know
like competitive people who are you know
like competitive people who are you know right at the bottom over there who
right at the bottom over there who
right at the bottom over there who have no idea where they’re going in life
have no idea where they’re going in life
have no idea where they’re going in life but they’ve kind of chosen to do
but they’ve kind of chosen to do
but they’ve kind of chosen to do something like painting or you know
something like painting or you know
something like painting or you know music and so they’re just a bunch of
music and so they’re just a bunch of
music and so they’re just a bunch of these long-haired guys who don’t know
these long-haired guys who don’t know
these long-haired guys who don’t know where they’re going or clueless girls
where they’re going or clueless girls
where they’re going or clueless girls who don’t know where they’re going it’s
who don’t know where they’re going it’s
who don’t know where they’re going it’s become this weird stereotype and now
become this weird stereotype and now
become this weird stereotype and now I’ve never considered myself part of the
I’ve never considered myself part of the
I’ve never considered myself part of the stereotype or I’ve never seemed to have
stereotype or I’ve never seemed to have
stereotype or I’ve never seemed to have embody the stereotype that’s me in case
embody the stereotype that’s me in case
embody the stereotype that’s me in case you guys have no idea but despite what I
you guys have no idea but despite what I
you guys have no idea but despite what I look like back then this is I think
look like back then this is I think
look like back then this is I think three years ago but despite what I look
three years ago but despite what I look
three years ago but despite what I look like back then there wasn’t a single
like back then there wasn’t a single
like back then there wasn’t a single moment when I questioned what I was
moment when I questioned what I was
moment when I questioned what I was doing when I questioned the fact that I
doing when I questioned the fact that I
doing when I questioned the fact that I chosen this as a profession or when I
chosen this as a profession or when I
chosen this as a profession or when I questioned this when I thought of myself
questioned this when I thought of myself
questioned this when I thought of myself doing this I never I never hesitated
doing this I never I never hesitated
doing this I never I never hesitated even once I have also worked
even once I have also worked
even once I have also worked I played throughout college I started
I played throughout college I started
I played throughout college I started playing semi-professional shows and
playing semi-professional shows and
playing semi-professional shows and professional shows and when I started my
professional shows and when I started my
professional shows and when I started my post graduation it became even more
post graduation it became even more
post graduation it became even more intensive so I was basically dividing my
intensive so I was basically dividing my
intensive so I was basically dividing my time between these two things playing
time between these two things playing
time between these two things playing shows and you know recording at studios
shows and you know recording at studios
shows and you know recording at studios and also working a job and there came a
and also working a job and there came a
and also working a job and there came a time in in those you know that massive
time in in those you know that massive
time in in those you know that massive period of eight months in my job when I
period of eight months in my job when I
period of eight months in my job when I realized that I was I was doing too much
realized that I was I was doing too much
realized that I was I was doing too much and I put one foot into something and
and I put one foot into something and
and I put one foot into something and one foot to the other and I wasn’t able
one foot to the other and I wasn’t able
one foot to the other and I wasn’t able to give my all in one specific place and
to give my all in one specific place and
to give my all in one specific place and that’s when I realized that I had to
that’s when I realized that I had to
that’s when I realized that I had to make a choice and the reason why I chose
make a choice and the reason why I chose
make a choice and the reason why I chose music over what I was doing before that
music over what I was doing before that
music over what I was doing before that was because I realized that the artist
was because I realized that the artist
was because I realized that the artist in me was just not satisfied in that
in me was just not satisfied in that
in me was just not satisfied in that space was just not satisfied with what
space was just not satisfied with what
space was just not satisfied with what that allowed me to do and I realized
that allowed me to do and I realized
that allowed me to do and I realized that the artist in me truly belongs in
that the artist in me truly belongs in
that the artist in me truly belongs in music music is where the artist inside
music music is where the artist inside
music music is where the artist inside me essentially felt comfortable and
me essentially felt comfortable and
me essentially felt comfortable and that’s what brings me to my topic today
that’s what brings me to my topic today
that’s what brings me to my topic today that’s what inspired my topic today
that’s what inspired my topic today
that’s what inspired my topic today which is whatever you do whatever your
which is whatever you do whatever your
which is whatever you do whatever your profession is however much you know you
profession is however much you know you
profession is however much you know you want to pursue something always make
want to pursue something always make
want to pursue something always make sure that that artistic side of you is
sure that that artistic side of you is
sure that that artistic side of you is there because at the end of the day you
there because at the end of the day you
there because at the end of the day you want to be something extraordinary and
want to be something extraordinary and
want to be something extraordinary and what what is that what is essentially
what what is that what is essentially
what what is that what is essentially what is extraordinary mean it means
what is extraordinary mean it means
what is extraordinary mean it means something that is beyond ordinary it
something that is beyond ordinary it
something that is beyond ordinary it means someone who is able to bring
means someone who is able to bring
means someone who is able to bring something new to the table something
something new to the table something
something new to the table something that no one else has ever seen
that no one else has ever seen
that no one else has ever seen you know you need to keep pushing your
you know you need to keep pushing your
you know you need to keep pushing your boundaries and you need to keep
boundaries and you need to keep
boundaries and you need to keep motivating yourself to do that and keep
motivating yourself to do that and keep
motivating yourself to do that and keep pushing and pushing unless it’s illegal
pushing and pushing unless it’s illegal
pushing and pushing unless it’s illegal that’s when you stop pushing but
that’s when you stop pushing but
that’s when you stop pushing but essentially what you need to do is
essentially what you need to do is
essentially what you need to do is understand that regardless of what you
understand that regardless of what you
understand that regardless of what you do you’re always going to have a set of
do you’re always going to have a set of
do you’re always going to have a set of boundaries you guys agree you will
boundaries you guys agree you will
boundaries you guys agree you will always be working under someone you have
always be working under someone you have
always be working under someone you have a boss you’ll have a designation that
a boss you’ll have a designation that
a boss you’ll have a designation that says you know I am XY I said you’ll have
you know even in the music industry you
you know even in the music industry you have record labels that constantly keep
have record labels that constantly keep
have record labels that constantly keep tabs on what you are doing you
tabs on what you are doing you
tabs on what you are doing you constantly have to make music for people
constantly have to make music for people
constantly have to make music for people so you have to be it you have to be
so you have to be it you have to be
so you have to be it you have to be attentive to your audience but at the
attentive to your audience but at the
attentive to your audience but at the end of the day that is exactly what as
end of the day that is exactly what as
end of the day that is exactly what as an artist you have to deal with those
an artist you have to deal with those
an artist you have to deal with those boundaries are things that are in place
boundaries are things that are in place
boundaries are things that are in place now how you manipulate those boundaries
now how you manipulate those boundaries
now how you manipulate those boundaries and how you figure out how to deal with
and how you figure out how to deal with
and how you figure out how to deal with yourself within that to make something
yourself within that to make something
yourself within that to make something new and create something new within
new and create something new within
new and create something new within those boundaries that’s what makes you
those boundaries that’s what makes you
those boundaries that’s what makes you unique people people think of artists as
unique people people think of artists as
unique people people think of artists as like I said before these these highly
like I said before these these highly
like I said before these these highly you know eclectic almost untrained group
you know eclectic almost untrained group
you know eclectic almost untrained group of people this highly competitive space
of people this highly competitive space
of people this highly competitive space like I said but when you think about it
like I said but when you think about it
like I said but when you think about it what sphere in your work or what what
what sphere in your work or what what
what sphere in your work or what what profession is not competitive where do
profession is not competitive where do
profession is not competitive where do you not have people constantly trying to
you not have people constantly trying to
you not have people constantly trying to climb that ladder for success it’s
climb that ladder for success it’s
climb that ladder for success it’s everywhere you cannot separate those two
everywhere you cannot separate those two
everywhere you cannot separate those two things if you want to take up an art or
things if you want to take up an art or
things if you want to take up an art or something that you know a profession
something that you know a profession
something that you know a profession that we don’t consider quote-unquote
that we don’t consider quote-unquote
that we don’t consider quote-unquote mainstream you still have to work hard
mainstream you still have to work hard
mainstream you still have to work hard you still have to go at it with
you still have to go at it with
you still have to go at it with everything you have and you have to you
everything you have and you have to you
everything you have and you have to you have to be passionate about it you have
have to be passionate about it you have
have to be passionate about it you have to plan you have to know exactly where
to plan you have to know exactly where
to plan you have to know exactly where you want to go with it you can’t go into
you want to go with it you can’t go into
you want to go with it you can’t go into it and you know people just go and you
it and you know people just go and you
it and you know people just go and you neighbor comes to your house in their
neighbor comes to your house in their
neighbor comes to your house in their leg up a beta cat the doctor Wow
leg up a beta cat the doctor Wow
leg up a beta cat the doctor Wow engineer amazing lawyer even better
engineer amazing lawyer even better
engineer amazing lawyer even better startup salata oops
startup salata oops
startup salata oops that’s when you start going downhill
that’s when you start going downhill
that’s when you start going downhill musician a arranged marriage – Coolio
musician a arranged marriage – Coolio
musician a arranged marriage – Coolio that’s gone down the tubes it’s not
that’s gone down the tubes it’s not
that’s gone down the tubes it’s not going to happen but why we are all of us
going to happen but why we are all of us
going to happen but why we are all of us every single one of us has put in and I
every single one of us has put in and I
every single one of us has put in and I am talking about professional artists
am talking about professional artists
am talking about professional artists here there might be some of you here I
here there might be some of you here I
here there might be some of you here I am Not sure but all of us put in so much
am Not sure but all of us put in so much
am Not sure but all of us put in so much into what we do it takes years of
into what we do it takes years of
into what we do it takes years of training I have been I’ve been playing
training I have been I’ve been playing
training I have been I’ve been playing drums now I’ve been playing I’ve been a
drums now I’ve been playing I’ve been a
drums now I’ve been playing I’ve been a percussionist a musician for over 10
percussionist a musician for over 10
percussionist a musician for over 10 years now I’ve been playing in the
years now I’ve been playing in the
years now I’ve been playing in the professional circuit for eight years and
professional circuit for eight years and
professional circuit for eight years and I’m still not close to where I want to
I’m still not close to where I want to
I’m still not close to where I want to be and no one is but the fact that I am
be and no one is but the fact that I am
be and no one is but the fact that I am able to achieve small successes every
able to achieve small successes every
able to achieve small successes every day a lot of people have spoken about
day a lot of people have spoken about
day a lot of people have spoken about this today even tirana spoke about this
this today even tirana spoke about this
this today even tirana spoke about this how success is something which you know
how success is something which you know
how success is something which you know you can’t quantify it’s something that
you can’t quantify it’s something that
you can’t quantify it’s something that keeps coming at you in those bits and
keeps coming at you in those bits and
keeps coming at you in those bits and pieces and that’s what I wanted to
pieces and that’s what I wanted to
pieces and that’s what I wanted to that’s what I want to highlight here I
that’s what I want to highlight here I
that’s what I want to highlight here I mean mysic every success that I’ve ever
mean mysic every success that I’ve ever
mean mysic every success that I’ve ever achieved in whatever years I’ve been
achieved in whatever years I’ve been
achieved in whatever years I’ve been playing now has been small things like
playing now has been small things like
playing now has been small things like being able to interact with the crowd
being able to interact with the crowd
being able to interact with the crowd being able to see people move to what I
being able to see people move to what I
being able to see people move to what I am doing that is a success to me and
am doing that is a success to me and
am doing that is a success to me and those successes keep getting whatever
those successes keep getting whatever
those successes keep getting whatever bigger in that’s a subjective thing but
bigger in that’s a subjective thing but
bigger in that’s a subjective thing but at the end of the day if you are able to
at the end of the day if you are able to
at the end of the day if you are able to do something that you love and you are
do something that you love and you are
do something that you love and you are able to convey that love to other people
able to convey that love to other people
able to convey that love to other people I think you I think you’ve achieved a
I think you I think you’ve achieved a
I think you I think you’ve achieved a level of success in whatever you do and
level of success in whatever you do and
level of success in whatever you do and finally basically what I wanted to speak
finally basically what I wanted to speak
finally basically what I wanted to speak about was how in this artistic sphere
about was how in this artistic sphere
about was how in this artistic sphere wherever you are whatever you are doing
wherever you are whatever you are doing
wherever you are whatever you are doing be it you are all students here and at
be it you are all students here and at
be it you are all students here and at the end of the day if you’re not doing
the end of the day if you’re not doing
the end of the day if you’re not doing something you’re passionate about there
something you’re passionate about there
something you’re passionate about there is no way you can unlock that artist
is no way you can unlock that artist
is no way you can unlock that artist within yourself there will always be
within yourself there will always be
within yourself there will always be people putting designations on you
people putting designations on you
people putting designations on you people telling you that your job is X so
people telling you that your job is X so
people telling you that your job is X so you have to do why but that’s that’s
you have to do why but that’s that’s
you have to do why but that’s that’s something that society has forced us to
something that society has forced us to
something that society has forced us to do I’m going to end by telling you that
do I’m going to end by telling you that
do I’m going to end by telling you that you need to not be defined by your work
you need to not be defined by your work
you need to not be defined by your work but you need to define what you do thank
but you need to define what you do thank
but you need to define what you do thank you so much
you so much
you so much [Applause]
”
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