Meet Ivone Reyes

We were lucky to catch up with Ivone Reyes recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ivone, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

How Did You Find Your Purpose?

Hi, my name is Ivone Reyes.
I am originally from Argentina and came to Los Angeles more than 20 years ago.
I always knew what I wanted to do in life. When I was 5 years old, my parents took me to see the musical Annie. That impacted my life forever because I always remember that feeling: I want to do that. I want to sing and dance, and be up on that stage.

When there was a chance at school to act, dance, or sing, I was always there.
My parents wanted me to study first, so I couldn’t pursue that dream until I was 15 years old. My mom recently reminded me that I told them, If you don’t let me study acting, I’ll quit school.
My desire was so strong that, after insisting so much, they finally let me enroll in my first theater class in my city—and since then, I haven’t stopped.

I took a seminar in Buenos Aires taught by Anna Strasberg. That class sparked the curiosity to study abroad—and that’s what I did. I’m always open to opportunities and to listening to that inner call.

The following year, I traveled to Los Angeles and started a new journey. It took me a while to develop the confidence to act and sing in another language. It felt different—it was frustrating at times. Even though I knew and spoke English, expressing your emotions in another language takes time.

I have been an actress for more than 20 years. Acting was my primary focus, and I kept pushing aside singing.
Acting and singing were always hand in hand.
I love both disciplines, but through the years, I felt a deeper and deeper desire I couldn’t neglect.
I’ve been writing songs since my adolescence. I have boxes filled with written notebooks of those songs and ideas waiting to be shown.
I believe my mission is to communicate and inspire others.

When I was growing up and facing my first challenges, I turned to writing to express my feelings—journaling—and realized the way I wrote sounded like songs. When I write, music and melodies emerge.
In my 20s, I discovered I could write songs. I signed up for a guitar class and loved it—being able to create melodies gave sound to my emotions.

When I hold a guitar, it’s like a direct connection to my soul.
I consider myself more of a singer than a guitar player. I use the guitar to compose.

I’ve gone through tribulations and challenges. There were dark times of discouragement throughout the years.
I found my resilience and strength through faith, God and by always seeking ways to improve myself—doing self-improvement seminars, workshops, and reading books.
My desire never ceased. My faith made me stronger. I always believed in myself and what I wanted to do. I don’t live by statistics or follow standards.
If I want to do something, I follow my instincts and listen to that inner voice we all have.
Dreams have no expiration date—for me. I’ve learned to master uncertainty. I don’t fear the unknown.

There was a time of doubt, of asking myself, Why? Should I keep going, trying, learning? Is it worth all these years, away from people I love?
As a child, being bullied, I wanted to prove I was valuable and important. That belief changed, of course, but somehow I carried a fear of being exposed and needing to be accepted.

Being an actress, you face rejection often—auditioning and not being chosen for roles. I developed persistence. I’ve learned not to take it personally. I’ve learned to keep working and learning.
I always ask myself: Why am I doing this? What is my intention?
I constantly remind myself what my father used to say:
“Don’t give up, even when defeated.”

Finally, after all these years, I decided to release my first song, “What Are You Waiting For?”, on July 4th, 2025.
Since I made that decision, all kinds of emotions emerged—some I didn’t even realize I had.

A couple of weeks before releasing the song—after I recorded it—my fears, insecurities, doubts, and anxiety surfaced. My body reacted.
This was something big—something I had wanted for many years.
During that period of stepping into something so important to me, my body responded in strange ways.
One day, I had a rash all over my body that lasted for days. A week later, I had to go to the ER because I had my first panic attack.

This unknown path in the music industry, the repressed fears I unconsciously held, and the fact that I was now presenting myself—not a character—just me, my voice, my feelings—exposed to others… it was vulnerability with no expectations.

I had to step into my fears and just do it. I had to overcome my doubts.

When you find your purpose, it’s more than a desire or need—it’s a must, no matter what.
It’s your DNA—something you can’t quit because it’s part of who you are.

I believe things arrive when you are ready—not just in skills, but in mindset and emotional strength.
That’s what happened to me.
Now I can say: This is me. This is my voice. This is my message. This is what I have to give—without comparing myself to others or waiting for approval.

Through singing and songwriting, I found my voice, my self-expression, my vision, and my purpose.
I like to write songs with messages that make people reflect or feel connected.

What I’ve learned in the process of living my purpose is that doing it—even with doubts, challenges, and fears—has given me freedom.

Now, I’m working on my next songs. I feel confident, empowered, and happy because I’m doing what makes me feel I have a mission and purpose.

I’ve always had the desire to inspire people. I believe we, as artists, have a powerful voice to use wisely and consciously.

One thing I tell my friends is that I consider myself to have a master in uncertainty.
Most of the time, I plan things—but if I need to make changes, I allow myself to flow.
I trust that everything works out for my good.
Everything is perfect. Everything happens for a reason.
So I trust the process—whether I get what I want or not.

I feel empowered and embrace what I have to offer—my uniqueness.
I’ve learned to take risks not to compare myself to anyone and not to have expectations of others.

That quest not only brought me closer to my dreams—it helped me find myself and my purpose.
My song “What Are You Waiting For?” talks about that: stop your fears and live your life.
It is a hymn, a reminder to never give up.
What is stopping you from doing what you truly want?
Life is now.
Overcome your fears and step into your greatness.
You are not alone in your challenges.
Take charge—and go for it.

Ivone Reyes

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I am an independent artist. My style is pop- folk, indie. I’m focused on recording my next song in Spanish, which is my first language. I released my first English song and wanted to restart my singing career with it since the theme of that song inspired me to not wait any longer to pursue what I love. That song originated in English, but I write in both languages.
I continue writing new songs and want to finish my EP. I’m working on a lyric video.
I am excited about sharing the songs and tell stories through music. I allow myself to be a channel, being open and receptive to all the beauty of life, from the inside out and create melodies.
you can listen to My song “what are you waiting for? in all digital platforms such as Spotify, YouTube, amazon, iTunes, pandora. I am also in instagram @ivonereyes and YouTube @ivonereyesmusic

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?

The three qualities that were most impactful on my journey are resilience, persistence and confidence.
You have to keep going, you have to believe in yourself and your gift or talent.
If you have tried many times and feel you are not having the success you want, do not measure success by results. Your success is already doing it. Write that song, book, play or poem and share it with others.
Get rid of all beliefs age doesn’t matter, dreams don’t expire. Step into the unknown and confront your fears. Do what makes your heart sing. That gives you freedom and purpose. Do not compare to what other people are doing, because nobody can’t be you. You are unique, special, powerful; believe in yourself.
Do not ask opinions, trust yourself and creativity. Sometimes, in that initial act of courage to step onto your creative path, someone can tell you something, and you go back into your shell of doubts, insecurities and fears. Do not quit, do it for you and don’t have expectations.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

My parents raised me, guiding me but allowing me to make my own decisions. They could give me their point of view, but in the end I would have to decide. They taught me what was a good path or bad path and that my choices had consequences. I had their support even though when I was younger they had the belief that performing arts, acting or singing were not a career. It took them a while to realize that it was not just a hobby. I constantly remind myself of my father’s mantra:” Don’t give up even when defeated.”
They believed in me.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivonereyes/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@ivonereyesmusic
• Other: Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/artist/7f2wQBEwaqqAHRVewa50pw?si=wKMEwIXmQHKmMUsUPamMjQ

Image Credits

9 pictures by Miriam Bonilla (Miriam B Portraits)

yellow dress picture: Gisela Prishker