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Mothers Who Dream |
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About the Author
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Roma Calatayud -- Mother,
Musician, Composer and DREAMER Composer and musician
Roma Calatayud’s love of music began when she was a child living in
Mexico where the rich Latin sounds of salsa and tangos trained her ear.
She would close her eyes and let the vibrations take her away. She
dreamed of someday recording her own compositions. In November, 1999,
Calatayud’s dream came true. Calatayud admits to
having inborn musical ability. At age ten, she took formal piano lessons
but she still plays mostly by ear. For her, writing music is what she
calls a “natural process.” The process reflects
her passion and her dreams. Like many women, Calatayud, who has lived in
the United States since 1983, has had other paths to follow and other
lives to support while staying committed to her own dream. She didn’t
stray far, graduating from college with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music,
Art and Psychology. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work
and worked for several years in that field. When her children
were 3 and 4, she made the decision to stay home and raise them.
Calatayud used those years wisely, following her own path while
supporting her children. She explains, “While I was dedicated to being
a full time mom, staying at home gave me the wonderful opportunity to
spend a lot of time on writing music and writing songs.” In 1992, Calatayud
gave voice to her dreams and clearly realized that her entire life had
led toward a destiny fulfilled in music. With her children now in
school, she used the time to work toward her dream. “For five years, I
spent a lot of time writing music, learning about song structure and
composition, and taking voice lessons.”
Calatayud didn’t
only study her craft. She planted her feet firmly on the road to a
professional career in music, learning all she could about the business.
She says, “Being a mother and wife, sometimes you are not taken
seriously.” Having a good
sense of the business side of music has given her a balanced,
reality-based view of her dream and has helped her to achieve
it--despite those who doubted. Calatayud remembers
being told, “There is a lot of competition out there, and you don’t
have the time it takes when you have a family.” More recently, she
heard comments about age. “The music industry is looking for talents
in their teens and early twenties, not thirties or forties.” Did Calatayud listen?
No. She brushed away the negativity like everyone who succeeds. (See, Brushing
Away The Negatives.) Calatayud believes her rich life experience has
made her better at what she does. She credits her children, husband,
friends and others for assisting her along the way. Her love for others
is reflected in her music. When others doubted
her, Calatayud didn’t focus on their opinions. Instead, she remembers
all those who support her. To help others keep a positive attitude, she
explains, “Many people believe in you. Believe, and it is like a
circle. Everything is connected by one piece, and another, and another,
until it all comes together.” Calatayud
gives this advice to other mothers--and anyone--following a dream. “If
this is what you love, keep doing it. Persevere. Don’t give up. Know
that you tried your best.” In 1998, Calatayud
and a group of supportive friends founded Palladian Music Co., Inc. “I
also started gathering some wonderful musicians,” she says. “And a
wonderful producer, Chan Poling, to produce my first album.” Calatayud speaks of
her first album, CARNIVAL OF LIFE, as if it is her third
child--something precious that she honors with her pride and passion.
“CARNIVAL OF LIFE features only original material created by me,”
says Calatayud. “Both the music and the lyrics in English and
Spanish.” One song, Danza de Anissa, is the creative byproduct of
Calatayud’s love for her daughter. She says the salsa tune also pays
tribute to the late Frida Kahlo, a well-known Mexican painter. “The experience of
pursuing my dream has been challenging, yes,” says Calatayud. “But
more importantly, has invigorated me and my family. I feel more alive
than ever.” Calatayud’s
achievements are sure to inspire other women. More importantly, her
dreams and goals may hit closer to home. “I hope and feel that my
children can learn that they can follow their own dreams and realize
that it takes hard work and perseverance.” While setting an
example by her actions, Calatayud keeps an optimistic attitude to deal
with the ongoing hardships. “For every two or three positive
things,” she says, “there is something negative.” Sometimes, she
sends out packages and doesn’t receive a response. But other times,
her efforts pay off. No doubt, Calatayud shares with her children the
saying her mother taught her: “Throw your seeds all around you, and
far around you. One day, one of those seeds will flourish.” Now that Calatayud
has achieved her dream of recording her own compositions, is she ready
to sit back and relax? “I still have a lot to learn and develop,”
she says ticking off goals that include licensing her music to other
artists, producers and films through Palladian Music Co., Inc. “A
second goal has been as a performer,” she explains, mentioning a
concert she’s involved with for Hispanic Heritage Month. She also
wants to work with the community to address social issues surrounding
the arts. Calatayud feels her
family life with a loving husband and children forms a solid foundation
from which to launch her dreams. They give her the support she needs to
shoot for the many stars in her future.
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