Meet Maria Tsuruta | Music Publishing Specialist and Artisan

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

Hi Maria, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Every choice I made in my life was based on passion. However, I wouldn’t say all it took was my passion. My passion fueled the diligence and motivation needed to craft a strategic plan to execute my goals. Nothing just works because you like it. You have to make a conscious effort to move in a way that holds your passion accountable. The most important thing to note when thinking of your brand is understanding how true you can be to it. I think a lot of people put out an idea or character that doesn’t always align with the person you are or where you want to go in your life. Honesty, growth, and understanding allows for your real brand to shine through and I think that’s what people want. Authenticity.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Deciding to attend Interlochen Arts Academy changed my life. I always loved singing, dancing, and acting. I wasn’t always sure which alley in the Entertainment world was for me so I did everything. Anything and everything I had an interest in, I did. As a singer-songwriter major, I learned about the challenges writers and musicians face in the industry. I didn’t realize that it could be so convoluted and challenging. I was much younger then but it struck a chord with me. I did a lot of research about the music industry and decided to pursue Music Business for my undergraduate degree. In all of my classes, I found Music Publishing to be the most interesting. It made sense to me because I had a strong feeling about protecting and fighting for musical rights. Especially for the songwriters who often did not have the opportunity to learn about the business and just wanted to create. I became an advocate. This, long story short, is how I got to work at Warner Chappell. If I am being honest, it was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. Coming from Japan and being an immigrant in a country that is so vast and different, posed many challenges. It meant that no matter how hard I worked to get the best internships and grades somehow my student visa got in the way. In an industry so saturated and full of many talented people, my visa set me back from the opportunities I wanted. I knew that the only way I could get to where I wanted to get to was to not only work hard but to work smart. I went back to school to get my Masters at USC in Communication, and I kept my network strong for any opportunities. I got my foot in the door with Warner Chappell through their internship program a few years ago. I remember what I wrote in my statement for WCM. I wrote that no one would work harder and no one would care as much as I did because I had sacrificed so much to get here. I had so much to lose. I couldn’t believe it when I got the internship. My interview for the internship was less than a minute. My life changed from then on. I do have many side business ventures and many side projects. One of them being my pen pal page on IG, @sushibeancrafts, which I started during covid. I wanted to see if I could market my brand and see where I could take sushibeancrafts. I ended up gaining 4000 followers in the first 3 months by photographing envelopes I decorated. Now I do commission pieces on the side occasionally and get to be as creative as I want which I love. But all in all, if my experience taught me anything, it’s that the ability to communicate and tell your story is what gets you where you want to be. I was fortunate enough to confirm that theory during my Masters. I, however, understand more than ever that your voice, beyond any talent or accolade, is what counts. How you articulate your thoughts and ideas, and your ability to connect – is what truly sets you apart. P.S. I am also currently writing a book. Stories matter.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them to the beach. For a long weekend, I would say Crystal Cove. The drive is worth it. The beach is beautiful and there’s a small little beach bar that is super cute. I would also take them to Leo’s Tacos on Venice and S LA Brea. Best Al Pastor’s I’ve had in LA. I would also check out the rooftop bars in LA like EP & LP. Fun vibes, good music and great views.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are many people I could dedicate my shoutout to but my shoutout will have to go to my mom. She always encouraged me to explore my interests and to be open about trying new things. At a young age, my sister and I were told to find something we were passionate about. We were very lucky that our parents encouraged this and I am eternally grateful to my mom who helped me practice my piano, packed my after-school lunches, and told me not to give up when things got hard.

Website: https://www.mariatsuruta.com

Instagram: @sushibeancrafts

Image Credits
Quinn Lujan pka @backwoodq