Mission

I began my musical career because of genuine community support at The World Stage Performance Gallery, and 5th Street Dicks Coffee House in the South Los Angeles’ Leimert Park area. I learned as much as I could in this nurturing musical community performing with, and documenting many of the local musicians engaged in the study and practice of improvisation and composition, 35 years ago.

     I did not understand at the time that I was using musicianship as part of a process in creating a safe space to heal from the wake of the death of my mother. Unlike many of my peers, I did not pursue a conventional career goal in the Entertainment Industry. 

     I expanded this trajectory approximately 15 years ago by working with the under-served and at-risk communities at large. I have created workshops, events, and volunteered with youth, incarcerated and formerly incarcerated adults, senior citizens, and individuals with autism, in youth camps, juvenile detentions, jails, prisons, and in private and public music programs across Los Angeles. Teaching, and mentoring the past 15 years has been a trans-formative experience facilitated through my music career. 

     Studying music to me is ultimately to be engaged in the act of self-awareness, and reflection. Guitar techniques, improvisation, composition, poetry, voice, and producing small events are skills I developed to nurture that healing experience, and space I sought out so many years ago.

     Before the Pandemic I provided the youth in Highland Park with loaner guitars, and weekly lessons in collaboration with three local artist/community members Rosa Marquez, Philip Grualty, and Brandon Mayor. We disseminated basic knowledge of guitar techniques, styles, genres, and music literacy. The goal, to empower the youth, and create a space for community dialogue.  

Promoting the value of Music as a way to empower ourselves and the world around us, and to achieve the emotional stability we all desire, is a great blessing. Our society's understanding of how music functions, and its profound impact on our lives has barely scratched the surface. Being motivated, and impassioned in extolling this vast treasure is something I am very thankful for.

Short Bio

Short Bio:

   Exceptional guitarist, and vocalist with 35 years experience.  In addition to teaching, and working with other artists, he has produced, and arranged his own original scores of music including producing live shows and documenting the lives of local musicians through film. Emile has studied guitar techniques, improvisation, music theory, composition, poetry and voice.