Meet Aaron Soltis

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Aaron Soltis. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Aaron, appreciate you sitting with us today. Maybe we can start with a topic that we care deeply about because it’s something we’ve found really sets folks apart and can make all the difference in whether someone reaches their goals. Self discipline seems to have an outsized impact on how someone’s life plays out and so we’d love to hear about how you developed yours?

While my parents have instilled a sense of discipline and responsibility into me since I was a child, I believe a lot of my self-discipline is born out of necessity. As a composer, there often is a sense of urgency to make a name for one’s self to make enough money to survive. It’s a simple but powerful motivation. I learned quickly just how much work goes into this kind of career and how, at times, I seem to receive very little, which can be a heartbreaking concept to manage. But I love what I do and I want to share my music with the world no matter what, so I continue to create.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am a composer of film, concert, and popular music. I will be graduating in May of 2025 with a Bachelor of Music in Music Composition from Nazareth University, and I plan on pursuing my graduate studies in Film/Media Scoring.

As a composer of contemporary music, I seek to craft a story. Drawing inspiration from Film, TV, and Video games around the globe, my goal as an artist is to fuse popular forms of music with classical music to revitalize the concert music world for a younger audience. I also intend to further the concept that today’s music is polystylistic, multinational, and interconnected as it brings different cultures and people together in ways never before seen.

In January 2024, I was named the winner of the Zicato Music Call for Scores, which resulted in the publication of my piece The Odyssey of a Seafarer. As a result of its publication, it is now being performed by the Dodgen Middle School Chamber Orchestra at the American String Teachers Association Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.

As a performer and collaborator, I strive to create lasting connections between people in a genuine and uplifting way. I believe that everyone’s voice is not just important but essential to the music-making process; this train of thought serves as the driving force behind my interactions with others. I aspire to be the kind of artist capable of creating projects that impact people; the kind of impact that changes something inside the mind and heart and inspires generations to come.

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 the music industry, communication is key. From responding to emails in a timely manner to engaging in polite and respectful conversation, learning how to effectively communicate with your colleagues, mentors, and associates is essential. Of course, communication is essential in every industry, but a lot of work as a composer comes from word-of-mouth. Communication goes hand and hand with kindness and positivity as well. People enjoy working with someone who spreads positivity about their work and the work of others as well.

Maintaining an open mind to new things. Especially as a student, you have a heightened sense of exposure to a variety of new and interesting ideas, projects, and people you may never have come across. It’s important to try new things, even if you aren’t sure you will like them, to gain experience. Harboring the ability to be flexible in the music industry is a must-have and maintaining an open-minded approach will help you grow as both an artist and a collaborator.

Be you. It’s simple, and you will hear it from everyone, but be you. If you are worried that you won’t get a specific job or you won’t make a specific connection because you aren’t a bubbly and talkative person, don’t force yourself to be something you are not. You can try, of course, to do something new if you want to gain experience, but ultimately the best things in your career will come from genuine interactions with people. Knowledge in your craft, communication, and growth can all be achieved through time and dedication, but it doesn’t matter if you aren’t true to yourself as an artist and as a person.

What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?

I believe that being adept at a multitude of different skills can open doors where you never could have imagined. While certain jobs, connections, or experiences can only be achieved through this highly specific concentration, it can often take a long time to bear results and will end up pigeon-holing yourself into a very narrow career. For example, I am an active pianist and accompanist. For the longest time, I was trying to find a way to get commissioned to write a new work, but I wasn’t sure where to start, let alone who I would even ask. When I was offered an accompanying position at a local middle school by a colleague of mine, I was surprised and delighted when I was suddenly offered to write a piece for their chorus. Learning how to play the piano, working with ensembles, and accompanying soloists all paved the way for this opportunity. If I spent my time exclusively writing music, I never would have made this wonderful connection and nor gained the experience that I now have.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://aaronsoltis.wixsite.com/composer
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaronsoltismusic/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@aaronsoltis4472
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-317654823

Image Credits

Paul H. Gaston