Meet Shilpa Ravoory | Wedding Violist & Aerospace Engineer

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

Hi Shilpa, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I find myself unique in most ways since I moved to Colorado to pursue my career in engineering (the field in which I work full time). However, I have had a passion for music since I started the piano at age 5, and after studying viola in college and being obsessed with performing, I knew I couldn’t let my passion die just because I’d be working full time. When I moved to Colorado, I didn’t know a single soul – let alone a musician. I knew that I loved playing pop covers; it was something I grew into after finishing music school and not really having a “reason” to play classical music anymore. I figured out how to loop all on my own, and after I started advertising myself to brides on Facebook, I discovered that I could really make this thing a business. I wanted to own my own wedding business and advertise myself as a solo musician through an LLC. It felt empowering to me but also felt like a way to encourage others to pursue their passions regardless of another job. Though it may not seem like it, there are so many small things that go into a small business but it was honestly so much fun figuring out on my own. Though it is a business of one, it is such a joy to be able to call my passion for music something I’ve turned into a part time job.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The biggest thing that sets me apart from other wedding musicians is that I am in fact a violist, not a violinist. I think violists tend to be shunned and feel like they can’t be a solo instrument due to the orchestra parts and all the teasing we deal with, but it truly is such a unique instrument with the best sound! I am also someone who loops, which I don’t think many violinists/violists do these days. I love being able to listen to a song and figure out the beat, the chords, and a lick that stays consistent throughout the whole song and translating it to viola. It feels like I’m doing composition, engineering and playing all at once, which feels very cool. I would 100% not say that it was “easy” to get to where I am today. It takes a lot of confidence and lots of guts to put yourself out there. I mainly built my business through Instagram, and whenever anyone puts themselves out on the internet you’re opening yourself up to face a lot of criticism. I think if you’re an artist that puts their creative self out there, it can be extremely hard to not take the criticism to heart. It’s important to constantly believe in yourself no matter what people say! I’ve learned to stop caring about what other people think and live my life for me. I want people to know that as someone with a full time job, I don’t have the time to devote every minute of every day into this business but I make the time when I can, and I think if you’re passionate about anything in life you’ll make time for it. Something like this might bring you stress, but it should also bring you joy. That’s the most important thing in life!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh man! Colorado has so much to offer. I would 100% take my friends to Sushi Den, Breck Brewery, Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak, and Golden or Evergreen. I’m also a private pilot and would definitely take them up in the sky for a quick tour of the city and mountains! I love hiking and I equally love skiing, so if it was winter I would take them to Copper or Breckenridge for a fun little ski day! I’m also a big brewery gal, so in addition to Breck Brewery as mentioned before, I would take them to Cerveceria and Denver Beer Company. I don’t eat out much so I don’t really have any specific places in mind other than Sushi Den, but I’m sure it would be easy enough to find a fun sports bar or breakfast burrito place nearby!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Everyone that has supported me since childhood! My parents put me in lessons from age 5-18 for both piano and viola, and supported my decision to double major in college. They bought me the instruments and books I needed and encouraged me to join a youth orchestra from a very young age. I would not be here today without my parents love and support for the arts. I also need to shoutout my viola professor from Stetson University, Dr. Jesus Alfonzo, for helping me cultivate a true love of solo performing. Even if I’m not playing classical music, it’s now my favorite thing to do!

Website: https://shilpatheviolist.com

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