Meet Rob Aguiar

 

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Rob Aguiar a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Rob, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

First and foremost, through reflection within my primary role as an educator. The truth is I had lost sense of purpose within a severely fractured educational system. Out of self-preservation I had to pivot. My students and I started to shine a light on the positive messages that we found within children’s literature and song lyrics, giving those around us a glimpse into shared vulnerabilities and the power of connection. Through our initiatives, I was able to build a strong network of authors and singer-songwriters. Our annual music festivals fostered a strong sense of community. Unfortunately, ever-changing systemic policies within the educational system led to an unexpected but much needed separation of the GLIMPSE brand from my role as an educator. And so, Glimpse Productions was born. But, where did I find my purpose?

I found my purpose through a deep connection to music and its incredible power to bring people together. For me, music has always been more than just sound; it’s an anchor in wavy times and a vessel for vulnerability and truth. Through so many GLIMPSE initiatives and projects, I realized that I was passionate about creating spaces where others could share their stories, talents, and authentic selves.

This understanding inspired me to support local artists, host events like Glimpse Into the Heart of a Singer-Songwriter, and champion projects that celebrate the significance of lyrics and the artists behind them. I’ve discovered that the magic of music isn’t just in the notes but in the connections it fosters—the way it brings people together and helps us see our shared humanity.

My purpose became clear: to shine a light on the beauty of authentic storytelling, nurture the local arts community, and remind people of the power of music to heal, unite, and inspire. It’s not just about what I do; it’s about how I do it—with passion, intention, and an unwavering belief in the transformative power of art.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

Within my role as an educator, all Glimpse initiatives have been rebranded to align with system policies. PROJECT POWER now continues to empower students to believe that they can and should be heard. Each of us has a voice that matters and we all have the choice to level up to make ourselves and the world around us a better place.

Personally, I am following my passion and will be building the Glimpse brand in the community so that when I retire from education in the next 2 or 3 years there will be a foundation in place for bigger projects within the community. The music community within the city of Mississauga is strong and robust and I’m proud to be a small part of it.

Since the fall of 2023, I’ve been conducting an interview series with local artists. I call it GLIMPSE INTO THE HEART OF A SINGER-SONGWRITER. The first season was done on a shoestring budget and distributed with the help of MISSISSAUGA MUSIC and MODERN MISSISSAUGA MEDIA. What was initially to be a six-part series was extended to 10 interviews as there were so many artists lined up to participate. The interviews focused on the vulnerabilities within lyrics, the unique songwriting processes and inspirations, and the fact that often the journey of an artist matters just as much as the music. In celebration of the first season of the interview series, an incredible live music showcase happened in August of 2024. I was able to shine a light upon seven artists and more than 15 musicians. The event exceeded all expectations. It was very well reviewed by attendees, participants, and local sponsors. The city of Mississauga and the Mississauga Arts Council was instrumental in making the event as successful as it was.

Riding that wave, a second season of the interview series started up in November of 2024. With some funding now in place, a video component and song submission from each artist was added to the interview format. I am now able to interview artists not only within the Mississauga Community, but reaching out into the greater Toronto area as well. Since the August 2024 live music event was so successful, there was now interest in putting on a few more smaller scale events in addition to or in lieu of the bigger showcase plant for the summer of 2025.

Our next event is taking place on January 26th. It will be an intimate writers round format featuring six multi-genre artists, most of which have already participated in the interview series.

The plan is to ramp things up ever so slightly and host a star-studded lineup of country artists for another writers round at the end of April. Again, most of the artists will also participate in the interview series along the way.

Our goal for the second season of the interview series is to have a minimum of 10 episodes completed by June. If all goes well, we will put on another mega live event over the summer months, like we did in August of 2024. All of this, of course, is funding dependent.

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?

Persistence, trying new things, and collaboration/feedback have been essential to my journey and will continue to be the foundation of my growth. Persistence keeps me moving forward, even when challenges arise or progress feels slow—it reminds me that every small step matters. Trying new things pushes me beyond my comfort zone, opening doors to creative possibilities I might never have imagined. Collaboration and feedback are equally crucial, as they allow me to learn from others, refine my ideas, and see my work through fresh perspectives. While my journey has just begun, I know these three elements will remain vital as I navigate new opportunities, overcome obstacles, and continue to evolve both personally and creatively.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

When I decided to take the Glimpse brand out into the community on my own after having it tethered to school board policies, it was Demetrius Nath of Mississauga Music and Jay Kana of Modern Mississauga Media who provided me with invaluable mentorship and direction. Having followed the Glimpse journey during the previous 5 years, they believed in my vision and helped me narrow the scope of my grandiose ideas. They directed me to smooth and organic entry points into the arts community, connected me with funding streams, assisted with promotion and marketing and have expertly kept me on track. They are both unapologetic in telling me when an idea needs some more development before running with it and have also been more than willing to kick me in the ass when needed. In addition to these two wonderful human beings, there is an army of local singer-songwriters that have been part of the Glimpse family for the better part of 6 years now. I am indebted to their art. What I do is not only because of them but it is for them.

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