Meet Ted Falcon

We were lucky to catch up with Ted Falcon recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ted , so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?

Optimism is loving what you do and wanting to enjoy your life doing what you love.

My optimism comes from my childhood spirit of playing games and also from my mother.

To me, music is just a big fun game to play with friends. Playing with sound and rhythm is kinda like kicking a soccer ball to your teammates. A shared life experience.

Performing can be very exhilarating and euphoric at times.
Having confidence, faith in yourself and making things happen are all uplifting, optimistic traits.
I strive for positivity everyday…even in the mundane. Being prepared helps.

My late mother, Carol Falcon, believed in me. She told me when I was a teenager that I could be anything I wanted to be and I believed her.
The confidence she had in me enabled me to free my mind of many inhibitions and fears. I’m optimistic that my own children will lead happy lives and will become self-realized in whatever their ambitions may be.
I’m passing on my Mom’s good spirit to them.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Hello, my name is Ted Falcon.

I am 54 years old and was born in New York and grew up in Allentown, Pennsylvania. I lived in Brazil for nine years and speak decent Portuguese. I have a wife, three kids and two dogs. Music is my passion.

I play violin and mandolin and lead various Brazilian music bands around Los Angeles. I am also a music teacher at the Silverlake Conservatory of Music. I like to write and record my own songs.

Last year I released my 11th album called Tô Chegando – Almost There. Some jazz critics said they liked it!
It was recorded in Brazil and Los Angeles and features fourteen of my original compositions.
Listen to a song:

More about me? Well, I started piano at age five and by age six I switched to the violin, which would become my lifelong friend and partner. I come from a musical family. My father Marvin Falcon was a gifted self-taught guitarist who had a guitar studio at home. I was exposed to music coming through the walls at all times. I first heard Brazilian music and jazz as a kid.

What am I doing now? Forró Night – Forró na Igreja

I host a monthly Brazilian dance event in Los Angeles at the Harmony Room/St. Barnabas Church in Eagle Rock.
Our next performance is October 25th, 2024. We are celebrating one year of Forro night on this evening!
It’s a killing 5 piece band called the Forrozeiros. It’s a very fun forró dance party with dance lessons at 8pm.
The event is on the third Friday of every month.

Here is the info for that:
https://www.harmonyroomeaglerock.org/tickets/p/forr-night-1-year-anniversary-show-ticket

I also lead a community Brazilian orchestra called the LA Choro Club.
We meet on the second Saturday of every month from 11am-2pm at Ernest Debs Park for almost six years.
The next event is November 9th, 2024. It’s free and you are invited to play or just hang out.

Some links if you are interested:

https://www.instagram.com/la_choro_club

Ted Falcon music playlist for you to hear:

Website:
https://tedfalconcom.wordpress.com

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

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

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Important qualities/wisdom

1. Be open to learning at all times.

2. Be fearless when you perform. There’s no take backs in life.

3. Buy the airline ticket. See the world. Everyone should travel alone once.

4. Too much is better than not enough.

5. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Be resilient.

6. Singularity: Focus on one thing at time. Solve, then move on.

7. There is joy in repetition, There is joy in repetition.

8. Enjoy the great outdoors. A walk in the mountains is good for you. Visit often.

9. Eat healthily, not compulsively. Easier said than done.

10. Love hard. Life is for the living.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

I’m going to skip this section

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Aviva Diamond
Jorge Vismara

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