Meet Ariel Avilez | Author & Vocal Instructor, Songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ariel Avilez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ariel, as a parent, what have you done for you children that you feel has had the most significant impact?
Actively going after my dreams has impacted me as a parent. In fact it wasn’t until I found I was pregnant with my first, that I felt the fire beneath me that pushed me to go all in with my dreams. I just kept thinking, how could I end up looking at my child telling them to ‘go for it’ or ‘don’t be afraid, you can do it’ if I was too afraid to really do it myself. I knew I had/have to be the example so that my kids could know it doesn’t matter how scared you are if you love it enough and work hard enough you can accomplish it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
There is a statement I have always used to describe my love for my creativity, I dance, I sing and I write, and typically people ask me which I love most, or what is so special about each one and I answer the same every time. When I sing-you hear my heart, when I dance-you see my heart, and when I write-you’re reading what my heart feels. What sets me apart from others is that I am unapologetic about how I want to express my creativity, I don’t like to just jump on trends for attention, and when I wrote my book-which is based on true events-I didn’t sugar coat the truth no matter how taboo a topic seemed or how uneasy it made me just to write it down. When I create I want people to feel something, or understand something or see something and the only way to do that is to be honest and authentic. I always say an inspirational speaker isn’t goin to be someone that promotes a perfect life, it’s going to be someone that shares a true testimony that is relatable. It isn’t always easy especially being in the entertainment world, I think when I first started out I was just so young I didn’t know any better and I thought success meant I had to be famous, and then in my early 20’s I was just a young adult finding myself and my faith and what I believe in. That’s the biggest one for me is knowing what you believe in and not altering it to fit anyone else’s agenda, and being okay with the type of audience that type of mindset attracts. So to sum it up, standing my ground on how I want to be represented was not easy, but it becomes more natural the more times you choose what’s important to you rather than just creating what someone is saying you should create or acting a certain way someone thinks you should to be seen. I have worked with the wrong people before and I’m forever thankful for those negative encounters because it taught me to learn more, and work harder-and that led me to releasing and writing my own music, self-publishing my first book, and becoming a vocal instructor; all which I thought at some point would be a miracle if ever accomplished. I have learned so much, but if I had to choose one thing it would be to trust your heart, and go for it- and if it doesn’t feel right it probably isn’t right for you and that’s okay. I want people to know that creative people are still out here and we aren’t all ‘clout’ chasers, that art, and passion and depth is still out here and I hope they see that in everything I create.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would definitely have to take them to a few of my favorite eats, The Henry, the setting is perfect for getting dressed up, having yummy cocktails paired with delicious food. Of course I have my favorite small joints like 32 Shea-an outdoor little garden cafe with the best coffee, amazing happy hour and you can literally get full from their bruschetta boards or get a large meal that is just was satisfying. Phoenix has so many local artist shows, events, paint & sips I would look for one during that week along with a farmers market!! Lastly, BlueMartini and Stir, both are located on HighStreet. The Stir is a super adorable coffee lounge that has a hidden speakeasy down the back hall that opens up at 5pm, and Bluemartini has yummy drinks and a live band most nights. And, what the heck I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to do a shopping day at Fashion Square Mall.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I feel so blessed to say that I have many to be thankful for. Ultimately I have to say God first, he really knew what he was doing putting this love for creating on my heart, I’ve quit and tried quitting more times than I can count and something in my heart never allowed me to let go of creating. The next person is my mother, she broke her back to keep me in dance lessons, vocal lessons, workshops, competitions you name it. She has always believed in me and my dreams and have always done everything to keep my head in the game. My family and husband over all has been very supportive, and that is everything to me. Growing up, the traditional mindset was you couldn’t make a career out of doing what you love so having it change completely is just so liberating for not just myself but others. It’s so easy to be around the wrong people especially in this industry so finding those that really just want to see you grow is all you really need in life in general and I feel like god has really helped me keep those that are best for me in my life. And honestly, even the random strangers that take the time to tell me how my book has touched them, or how they have my music on repeat, or the moms that book their children with me for vocal lessons those are big ones for me because they don’t have to take the time to find me, or to book me or to even given me that encouragement and they do and that is as authentic and uplifting as it gets.

Website: Stvdioconcepts.com

Instagram: itsarilexx

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwqFcx2QnaSJYKMsgLbMhGw

Other: Instagram handle for Relationship blog based on the book I wrote @bluemakesmepink TikTok @itsarilexx