Meet Chris Rorrer

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

Hi Chris, so happy to have you with us today and there is so much we want to ask you about. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others developed certain skills or qualities that we are struggling with can be helpful. Along those lines, we’d love to hear from you about how you developed your ability to take risk?
The practice of taking daring, sometimes frightening, chances and walking in faith has enabled me to have a fulfilling career in music. Amidst the chaos of life, the right people and circumstances always seem to find me at the right time. Knowing this happens time and time again gives me peace when things feel uncertain. A friend of mine recently commented that Los Angeles is one of those places where you can “choose your own adventure.” There are limitless opportunities here. After living in the area for almost six years, I have learned to first find and then ground myself in my purpose and value system, and cultivate a community of friends accordingly. These folks support me, and vice-versa, through the frequent challenges and frustrations of being a musician-entrepreneur. They also keep me motivated to tackle the next obstacle required for my growth. Making a living in my particular field requires an open mind to take on projects that may vary incredibly in scope from one another, and the readiness to learn and expand upon a myriad of technical skills and forms of expression in order to help make the art come to life in a genuine, but also efficient, way.

Also, taking stock of my goals every six months or so has helped reveal what kind of risks I should be taking, and also which opportunities that aren’t in alignment with my path anymore that I should be saying “no” to. I have been surprised by how quickly my day-to-day life can change, as I move on from  dead-end work and say “yes” to new and exciting avenues, such as acting! I am currently acting and playing cello in the play The Pilot Who Crashed the Party, written and directed by Hollywood legend, longtime actor Paul Sand. It is quite funny but also riveting, and mysterious. I get to musically underscore all of the action on stage with my violinist as we intertwine ourselves in the plot. You can check grab tickets through the link at the end of this interview!

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am a musician, composer, and most recently, actor focused on bringing unity, healing, and peace through the arts. I have been in the Los Angeles area for a total of over six years, over three “installments,” and I am incredibly grateful for what already seems like a lifetime of discovery, creativity, and connection here.

My portfolio is quite varied, and is something that I am grateful the creative community in Los Angeles has been able to make mighty use of! I am a multi-instrumentalist. My primary instrument is the cello. I earned my Master’s of Music (M.M.) in cello performance at California State University, Long Beach in 2020. I also play guitar, piano, bass, drums, and sing. I perform across the country in symphonies and pit orchestras, theatrical productions, with bands and artists of all styles, and my own pop/rock projects. I also frequently serve in music ministry at a number of churches in the area. My newest pop/rock single Weight of the World (Tamachi) was released on all streaming platforms last month. Look out for the song’s upcoming music video as well!

I also compose and arrange music for countless applications, write songs, and record for film/tv and artists needing strings on their songs. When on stage, I don’t want to waste a second of my audience’s time – I aim to make the most engaging experience possible, directly communicating what is in my heart through my instrument and into sound waves. When in the studio, I love to “wow” my clients by bringing beauty, texture, and depth to their projects. When out in the world, it is a joy to inspire people to cultivate their innate talents – the world needs great artists!

You can check out more about my music, the services I offer, as well as concerts and events I am a part of on my website, linked below!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
For me, building and maintaining quality relationships has been paramount to fulfillment and success in life. Listen to people, show them love and compassion (life is hard!), and cherish the beautiful time you spend with them. Reach out to your family and friends and let them know you love and are thinking about them. There will be plenty of people, especially in a gargantuan, geographically stratified city like Los Angeles, who have no interest in your growth as a human being, or who say one thing and really mean another. Learning to not pay too much heed to these folks, wishing them well, and moving on, has been a valuable lesson for me. On the flip side, be on the lookout for people with amazing hearts who want to get to know you at a deeper level and celebrate your success alongside you!

Next, show yourself grace! It can be very tough out there to live out your purpose and stick to what you know is right. I believe that God loves each and every one of us beyond what we could even imagine, and is always there to support and listen to us. Have an open heart and expectancy for the miracles, mercies, and breakthroughs that will happen in your life, even if right now you are going through an absolute storm.

Lastly, give yourself the opportunity to try a lot of different jobs, classes, and experiences that interest you. Take stock of what you truly like and dislike, and then choose to fill your life with the things you’ve discovered that satisfy your soul. Develop the discipline to take the truly fulfilling passions in your life to the next level. Be of service to others; ask for help when you need it. You will be exponentially rewarded for the time and discipline taken to hone your craft. You will change other people’s lives along the way as they see your true self shine!

Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
I take pride in bringing my clients ease, swift communication and music of the highest quality perfectly fitting for their needs. I contract a number of highly experienced ensembles that specialize in providing music for high-profile weddings and corporate events. We honor requests for any style of music and provide a highly engaging and memorable performance for any audience. We love connecting with companies, wedding/event planners, and couples who have a grand, classy, and unique vision for their guests.

I would also like to reach out to film directors and composers needing a versatile cellist who can improvise and orchestrate on the spot. I have performed live and recorded with countless musicians and I love connecting with artists who need to take their recordings and/or live performance to the next level.

Contact Info:


Image Credits:
Jei Romanes Steve Scarantino

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