Meet Jimena Arroyo

We were lucky to catch up with Jimena Arroyo recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jimena, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
Hello, everyone! Thank you so much for having me here! It’s truly an honor to be able to share my story with all of you.

I am from La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina, where I pursue my passion as a singer-songwriter. From a young age, I knew deep down that I wanted to create music that was uniquely my own. While I didn’t come from a particularly musical family, my mom always serenaded me with her songs. Even as a toddler, I found myself crafting my own melodies. I remember how, whenever my mom returned from the greengrocer’s with a bag bursting with fruits and vegetables, I would spontaneously compose little tunes like “the celery danced with the pumpkin and the carrots have gone away.” That was creative me, from a very young age. At the age of 8, I penned my first song in English, my second language, and from that moment on, melodies never stopped flowing.

I’ve always been an introvert, a trait that traces back to my childhood experiences. I endured bullying in school for being labeled a “nerd,” which made me retreat into my own world. In that inner sanctuary, I found solace in writing diaries, stories, and songs. Books became my refuge, transporting me far away from my reality.

At 15, I embarked on my musical journey, joining a rock band, and by 19, I found myself performing in a popular cover band alongside my then-boyfriend, now husband. We toured extensively, performing in bars, restaurants, clubs, and even seaside resorts. It was surreal to realize that I was earning a living doing what I loved most—singing, all that while I pursued a degree in Literature and Translation at university.

The arrival of motherhood marked a shift in priorities, prompting me to step back from touring to spend more time my child. However, my passion for music remained unwavering. During this time, I wrote seven children’s books, published by a renowned publishing house in Buenos Aires.

In recent years, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with immensely talented musicians and producers online, which allowed me to continue creating music while fulfilling my parental responsibilities.

Today, writing songs—both for myself as an artist and for synchronization in TV and film—has become my life’s purpose, nothing gives me more joy and satisfaction.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
As a singer-songwriter and author, my creative pursuits extend beyond crafting my own music and stories. I also do session vocals and toplines, collaborating with other artists and producers to bring their musical visions to life. My primary objective is to have a creative outlet in my life and aid others in expressing themselves authentically.

Given the fact that I am a sworn English-Spanish translator, I offer a unique service of translating songs for artists looking to tap into the Latin music market or Latin artists who want their songs translated into English to reach a wider audience. This involves not only translating lyrics but also providing demo recordings to assist with pronunciation and understanding of syllable placement and stress. It’s immensely gratifying for me to facilitate cross-cultural connections through language and music.

Finally, I’ve been writing music for sync (music tailored for television and film) lately, so I’ve been working with agencies and publishers worldwide to reach that goal.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

In a journey like mine, I’ve found out that three essential qualities are needed: passion for music, perseverance, and patience. First and foremost, passion for music (of course!), as it fuels every step of the journey. It’s the driving force behind creativity. Without passion, the challenges we face along the way can quickly become frustrating and may make us want to quit. Secondly, perseverance is indispensable. The path of a musician and author is often paved with rejection and setbacks. It takes resilience and determination to face those obstacles. We’ve got to keep pushing forward despite the disappointments, and continually strive for improvement. Finally, there’s patience, as it’s easy to become disheartened when results don’t materialize as quickly as we hoped. But success in music and writing is rarely instantaneous; it requires nurturing over time.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
When I find myself overwhelmed, which happens quite frequently given the number of musical projects I’m constantly juggling alongside motherhood and running a small business,I consciously redirect my focus to what truly matters: my children. Witnessing their growth, laughter, and carefree enjoyment of life serves me as a reminder that their love and happiness are the most important thing in my life.

In moments of overwhelm, I remind myself that as long as my children are doing well, everything else can wait. This perspective shift helps alleviate the sense of burden and reminds me that challenges are manageable. Once I’ve quieted my mind, I try to organize my projects and tasks by priority. I find solace in crossing off accomplished tasks and creating lists of even the smallest wins, as they serve as reminders of progress and keep me motivated. As these wins accumulate over time, whether by the end of a semester or year, I feel proud of my ability to achieve and persevere despite the chaos. This is a technique I put into practice a few years ago and it truly helps me when I’m feeling overwhelmed, so I recommend doing it.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Eugenia Talice

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