Meet Michael Pineda | Student Life & Operations Coordinator and Musician

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

Hi Michael, why did you pursue a creative career?
I’ve always admired the ability to express oneself and interpret humanity in the things that we do on the day-to-day. There are a lot of reasons why I need to be creative in my work, but I have chosen to pursue a more “creative” career primarily because I feel like it is what I genuinely do best. Whether it is literally improvising on my horn, to writing music, to creating spaces for music, to creating experiences for students, to creating sustainable sources of capital, to dreaming and brainstorming the next big idea, etc. The list goes on. I try to think more vocationally because that’s the only way my music and my entrepreneurial-educational endeavors fit in. Currently, I work in the non-profit Higher Education space serving undergraduate students on their personal and professional journeys. I also play as much music as humanly possible and find/create spaces to play in and connect with others. I have big goals and ambitions, but while I am on the journey, I am just creating the best lived experience (one that makes ripples).

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is indeed music, but also impact work. I have a long term aspiration to build a series of educational and social institutions to serve the Honduran community in one way or another, which are my roots. I want to create spaces for people to play, to learn, and to grow. For me, that’s on the horn playing my life away. I want to help others find what that is for them, fuel it, and direct them towards how they can make an impact.

I used to think of it primarily as a music school, but that changed overtime as my perspective widened. I realized that I could do music, but also learn and sharpen my mind to build and create other things. I love working in consulting and advising capacities, working in start-up environments, and creative capital projects. However, my musical brand serves as a vehicle for me to connect with people from all over the world, meet other creatives and artists, and tell my own story too. I’ve worked very hard and spread myself very thin, but because I love what I am doing. That premise defines my art and my work- it is founded in the love and gratitude for life itself. I have a lot of things in the works so that is exciting, but I also am most proud of how I’ve been able to stimulate learning and community so far. I host a jam session every week and it’s amazing to see everyone come out and learn and play. I am booking live music too, so I am also creating more opportunities for musicians to get paid gigs. I work with college aged students in serving and advising them while learning and managing certain operational aspects of my organization, which is something I am super passionate and geeky about. To end my thought here, I am based in love, and I think that shows in my work.

For the long term, I am learning how to build things, connect with people, and make money! That’s an important one…

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.
That’s a phenomenal question.

A week long trip is a solid amount of time. Let’s say I also magically get the week off work too? Chicago is a splendid time!

I would certainly want to create a mixture of experiences and be as frugal as possible. I would take my friend to any number of markets, fests, free events in Millennium Park, and of course, CONCERTS. Since I work in Student Life, I have all the hook up sites to find the coolest things in that season.

We would certainly make a visit to the Jazz Showcase, Andy’s, the Green Mill and of course, Rojo Gusano! (the restaurant that I book for and where I play a weekly show). I would take them to Lilly’s for our late night pocket jam on Friday night. Tuesday’s on the Terrace at the MCA in the summer. World Music Wednesday’s at Old Town.

I would take them to Garfield Park Conservatory and a bike ride down the Lakeshore Trail. A fill of nature in the big city is important. I would also certainly take my friend kayaking on the Chicago River. It is an incredible experience.

Food and drink? We would hit all the international cuisine our stomachs and wallets can handle. Bien Me Sabe for some Venezuelan, Havana or Cafecito for some Cuban. L’ Patron has the best Mexican torta in the Chicago hands down. I love Essence of India in Lincoln Square. Of COURSE Ghareeb Nawaz. Tesfa in Uptown for some Ethiopian? There are many more.

I’ll have to end it here because I could keep going. It would be a flurry of big city vibes, music, art, and delicious food.

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?
This is always a tough question because there are always far too many people to thank! It’s always going to be people for me.

I have had an enormous support network of people in different places who have constantly pushed me towards my true self and could write a novel filled with only thank yous. I sincerely couldn’t do any of it without them. There are some key players.

Thank you to my parents for all they have done for me, and particularly, having taken me to Honduras. Life was crazy for us at the time, but that move and living there allowed me to explore my roots and my identity, which are now the driving force of my work and my music.

Thank you to my sister who feeds my fire and shows me what life holds when one strives to be their most genuine self.

Thank you to my girlfriend who genuinely loves through thick and thin and has only pushed me further up the ladder.

Thank you to my mentors, both musical and non-musical. I have had many individuals who have simply taken the time and been intentional to talk to me. I am saying REALLY talk to me. They know who they are and they have been integral in shaping my heart, my mind, and my impact.

Thank you to my beautiful friends who are all the crazy things you are to me. Wherever y’all are, you ARE my story!

I’d like to take a moment to thank “the music” itself. What I mean is what is more commonly referred to as “jazz music”, but is more broadly Black American Music. Hip-Hop, Soul, R&B, Blues, Gospel, Jazz, Rap, Funk. All of it! I’d like to recognize Black American Music as integral to my soul development. To my healing. To my search for answers! When I am improvising on my horn and transcribing the greats, I am learning all the secrets to life.

Last but not least, thank you to my brother, Erick. He is no longer present but always a part of my story. I feel him more now as a musical force of nature, one could say. 10 years as of yesterday- I am reminded to live to the fullest everyday.

Website: https://michaeljpineda.wixsite.com/home

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeljpineda/

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/michaeljpineda

Image Credits
Frank Jones Jr – $whofrank