Meet Kristie Macogay

We recently connected with Kristie Macogay and have shared our conversation below.

Kristie, 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.

“It’s Elementary, my dear Watson.” Haha just kidding, but I mean literally it all started in Elementary school. It was at my first primary school k-8 when I was a student there. I finally had the opportunity to be part of the after school music programs. I was in the San Diego Children’s Choir, ballet, and musical theatre. But most of all, I decided to become a musician when I got my very own Violin. I had the most wonderful experiences in joining orchestras, branch out to Symphony band, and even marching band taught by the most wonderful mentors I know today in San Diego! (Shout out Dr. Ariana Warren, Tamara Paige, Dana Zimbric and Regina Tolley!) As I grew up, I grew more aware about the education world. As I was volunteering, performing, and teaching around my town, the whole time I thought I had the same privilege of having access to the arts. When I was teaching after school band class, I was shocked when a middle schooler didn’t know the majority of instruments we offered for lessons on, or any other world music we’ve performed for them. And that purpose grew. I wanted to continue full circle of offering music education to all students, and firmly believe that music is a humanitarian right to every person to encourage in being creative and expressing themselves.

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 have been an intrepid violinist and music educator throughout Grossmont, Lemon Grove, South Bay, and San Diego Unified School Districts. Graduating from Monte Vista High School in 2015, I began studying and performing in live music communities in Bluegrass, Jazz, and Indie-folk music throughout San Diego. Simultaneously, I attended Grossmont-Cuyamaca Colleges to acquire their Associates in Music Education. During my studies, I expanded my talents by training in classical music under private teachers including Regina Tolley, and Dr. Ariana Warren.

In their other ventures, I began performing with ensembles such as the “San Diego Philharmonic Orchestra” conducted by Diego Guerra and “Bambula” by Cristian Mejia, founded by mutual friends at San Diego State University. The musical network began to grow when I made contributions and appearances in iconic establishments around San Diego such as Public Square and Humble Heart, along with collaborations with organizations such as the Casa De Oro Alliance. As of October 2022, I currently run the Lestat’s Open Mic every Monday. In honor of Lou Fraiser, the previous host of the Adam Avenue West Venue, to continue a space for any artist to perform.

Today, I continue to make creative projects with my dear bandmates Kendrick Jennings and Andrew Hendrix, fellow multi-instrumentalists and founder of the band “Earth Tones”, releasing music on all streaming platforms and uploading weekly on You tube. Simultaneously, I teach in after school music education programs like Classic 4 Kids’ Ukulele program across the county, and separately provide private instrumental instruction and recording collaborations.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Overall, I believe the important characteristics I have in my lifestyle I’d like to share with others is always being present; I mean to show up to an event, Support another friend’s plan, support and build a community. Doing what you can locally helps build that network and it’s like a symbiotic relationship with others that’s genuine. The second thing would be is always be prepared. You never know what to expect and never know the day can be saved by a mere, let’s say a spare pen, any spare equipment to someone in need. At the end of the day, it just benefits everyone to keep on going through the day. And last but not least, Be kind. I get that the world is cruel and Greed can easily plague. But empathy is important and maintain a sense of humanity. I cannot stress enough that being a bystander or complacent to any situation and then hear a “would’ve, could’ve should’ve.” excuse. Its pointless and it’s just good to always act now and do what is right.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

I would definitely say Rhiannon Giddens, who is a masterful singer, banjo playing and fiddle player. I have always wanted to be interested in her work when it comes to her mission in sharing folk music and the history behind several historical tunes and reminding about the history in America. I would love to continue the campaign with the idea of collaborating together in continuing the education to the public of the importance of music, the soul of music. I would love to tour with her even in performing our music or even create music together along with collaborating with local people of where the music came from, like sharing unsung communities and learning with them as well. That is the definite dream.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bandthehowls.great-site.net/?i=2
• Instagram: @bandthehowls
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@The_Howls
• Other: band camp: https://bandthehowls.bandcamp.com/music

Image Credits

Linda Stewart from CasaDeOroAlliance, Kendrick Jennings from Earth Tones,