We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Evita Armienti a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Evita, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Many of my friends, colleagues, and even famous people I know have musicians in their families. In my family, no one is a musician. Many times, I’ve asked myself how I discovered this passion, why music isn’t just a hobby for me, and where it all began.
I was born on a farm in the south of Italy, and the only music I heard as a child was the singing of the birds. But soon, I asked Santa Claus for a drum set. I was seven years old, and honestly, I don’t know why I was so obsessed with drums.
I’m not saying that our purpose is always what we like as children. At that age, I wanted to be a doctor, an architect, and a painter. I found my purpose by keeping the same curiosity and carefree attitude I had as a child throughout my life.
I studied classical percussion and jazz drums, but also classical guitar, piano, saxophone, and handpan without being afraid to change direction. I started composing music at fourteen without being afraid to fail.
Wins and losses have the same importance: from the first, you learn what you love doing; from the second, you learn what you don’t.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Who am I? That’s the question I ask myself every day. I’m a musician, but I’ve always been fascinated by all forms of art and even by subjects that seem far from music, like math and philosophy.
I’m 22 years old, and I hold a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in jazz drums. I’m currently pursuing a Master of Music in Contemporary Performance at Berklee Valencia. I believe my open mindset comes from both drums and jazz. The drums are like an orchestra, you can shape the sound however you want and give each piece its own melody. Jazz, on the other hand, is all about blending influences, improvising, and experimenting.
I’ve been writing music for eight years. Over time, I’ve composed Italian songs, electronic pieces, jazz standards, classical works, and even a Greek tragedy. Right now, I’m focusing on releasing my music. Until now, apart from a few concerts, I’ve mostly kept it to myself, because for me composing has always been a personal way to explore my emotions and make sense of my experiences. Now, I feel ready to share that journey with others.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, I think the three qualities that have had the greatest impact on my journey are curiosity, courage, and devotion.
Curiosity has always guided me, it’s what pushed me to explore not only different instruments and genres, but also ideas and disciplines far from music. Courage came with the willingness to change direction whenever I felt the need to evolve, whether it was switching instruments, styles, or even countries. And devotion is what keeps everything together the daily commitment to my art, even when results are not immediate.
First, you have to believe in what you do, and the only thing that truly helps you is doing what you love. You can be whoever you feel truly resonates with who you are.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
The most significant mentor in my musical journey has been Israel Varela, He’s not only drummer and composer but also a deeply spiritual person. He didn’t just teach me drumming techniques or musical expression, he taught me a way of seeing and living music. From the very first day we met, he believed in me, even before I completely believed in myself. That kind of trust can truly change your path. His mentorship helped me grow not only as an artist but as a person. He taught me the value of humility, curiosity, and inner strength, lessons that continue to guide me every day, both in music and in life.
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Evita Armienti, me
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