Meet Camilla Vaitaitis | Pianist, Vocalist, & Composer

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

Hi Camilla, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
As a freelance musician, I have a very unique work life balance. I wear many different hats between playing gigs, teaching, and working for an educational jazz non-profit. I rarely have the same schedule two weeks in a row.

Because my job is also my biggest passion and hobby, sometimes it’s difficult to create any kind of separation, but it also means that I’m almost always doing something I enjoy, even when I’m working. I’ve definitely had to set boundaries with time to allow myself not to get lost in the sea of constantly doing something music related, and I feel like recently I’ve achieved a very good balance.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
One thing I’m incredibly grateful for is the wide variety of music I get to compose and play on a regular basis. I am very proud to have projects that I compose for both in the jazz vein and in the indie rock world.

My jazz quartet recently finished a month-long residency at Nocturne in Denver performing all original jazz compositions by me. My jazz compositions are unique because they combine a variety of influences beyond just jazz and each tune has its own story and environment. This quartet will be recording an album in the coming months.

I am also incredibly excited about my band Specific Ocean, co-led by my best friend, Alec Wenzel. This project has grown and developed so much through personnel changes, Covid setbacks, and general life getting in the way at times. I am so grateful for this band and the music we continue to create despite the challenges that sometimes arise. Finally, I’m extremely excited about the newest band I’m in with my two roommates/best friends called Barbara. With Bridget Hartman on bass, Anna Panella on drums, and myself on guitar, this project challenges us and sparks our creativity in new ways since we are all playing secondary instruments. Barbara’s debut album, “Escape Artist,” will be coming out later in Summer 2022.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned so far in my music career is to pursue the projects that bring me joy, and that it is okay to say no to projects or gigs that just don’t feel like a good fit. Since prioritizing the music I love, I have seen more success because I genuinely love and care about what I’m doing. Also, picking up guitar more seriously recently has sparked a new joy that is reminiscent of what it felt like to fall in love with music as a child.

All I really want to do is make music I love with people I love as much as I can, and I am truly grateful to all of the wonderful musicians and friends in my life who make that possible.

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 make sure we hit the great jazz jam sessions in Denver; the Meadowlark on Mondays, Herb’s on Tuesdays, and the Broadway Roxy on Wednesdays. I love going to jam sessions and hanging with the fellow jazz musicians in Denver. I’d also make sure we visit Thin Man to get drinks or Illegal Pete’s for yummy food and the best margs around perhaps before seeing a show at one of the great local venues like Larimer Lounge, Nocturne, or Dazzle. I would, of course, make sure to get to the mountains too!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would love to shoutout the amazing teachers and mentors who have helped me get to this point in my career. First of all to Eric Gunnison and Dave Hanson, who I had the privilege of studying with at the University of Denver. Their immense knowledge and supportive mentorship will stick with me for the rest of my life.

I would also like to shoutout Chris and Paul Romaine and the Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts. Without this organization, I would not be the musician or the person I am today. I truly can’t say enough about this incredible organization and the impact it has on so many young musicians and the entire Colorado music community.

Website: https://www.camillavaitaitis.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camillavaitaitis

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/camilla-vaitaitis-312a261a7/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/camillavaitaitismusic

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoLj5-EyguHYx2OetFcR59g

Image Credits
Micah Stackhouse Caroline Baker