Meet Luana Sandoval

 

We were lucky to catch up with Luana Sandoval recently and have shared our conversation below.

Luana, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

In high school, I faced relentless bullying and cyberbullying for being different. My peers targeted me for never having a boyfriend, cruelly assuming I was gay which I was hiding until I turned 30 years old. They found my interests in opera singing and belly dance peculiar. While they were engrossed in discussing their love lives, I was steadfastly focused on my emerging career as a musician and dancer. This emotional and verbal abuse drove me to work even harder, never giving up on myself despite the immense challenges.

The constant torment was traumatic and had a significant impact on my life and my ability to trust people. Yet, it also ignited a determination within me to seek a new beginning. This desire to escape the toxic environment and pursue my dreams led me to leave Germany and start anew in the entertainment industry.

Reflecting on those times, I sometimes see these bullies on social media, still stuck in the same small village. It’s a stark reminder of how far I’ve come. The pain they inflicted taught me invaluable lessons about resilience and self-worth. It instilled in me the importance of never settling for less and the necessity of surrounding myself with like-minded, high-achieving individuals.

I’ve learned to carefully choose who I give my energy to, ensuring that relationships are reciprocal and supportive. This mindset has been crucial in my career, helping me collaborate with others who share my drive and vision. My experience with my former narcissistic co-writer with whom I wrote five songs further reinforced the importance of setting high standards and being wary of those who might exploit or abuse me.

In the entertainment industry, where challenges are plentiful, my resilience has been my greatest asset. It has guided me through difficult times and kept me focused on my goals. Every setback has been a lesson, every challenge an opportunity to grow stronger. Today, I am more mindful and selective about the people I allow into my life, ensuring that my energy is spent on those who truly value and support me.

My resilience, born from the adversities I faced in high school, has been the foundation of my success. It has taught me to persevere, to strive for excellence, and to build a supportive network of high achievers. This journey, though painful, has shaped me into the determined and resilient individual I am today.

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?

Since releasing my first EP “Love” in 2017, produced in collaboration with music producer Mark Roos, I have steadily built my career in the music industry. The song “Sin Ti” is licensed with the music library Soda Box Music founded by Carolyn Baron and it is featured in the movie “Science of Fear”, directed, written and produced by actress Tijuana Layne.

My second record, “Fun House” was a collaboration with KingCharlie Prince from the Dynamic Three, and the song “Leap Day” was produced by myself and earned me a royalty check from American Idol.

In 2023, I took a significant step in my career by founding my own record label, Devana Records, as an LLC. This venture was self-funded using my savings, as I chose not to apply for a business loan. My record label has since released several songs, including “In Time”, “Road Trip,” “Scent From Heaven,” the album “Life of a Dancer” as well as the music videos “Scent From Heaven”, “In Time” and “Road Trip”.

Currently, my primary focus is on recording more music and producing high-quality music videos to submit to film festivals. My music video for the song “In Time” is under consideration at 17 film festivals and has already been selected by the New York Lift-Off film festival. This song has also earned me significant accolades, including first place in dance performance at Rock Churches Crossroads Talent show and second place at Talent America in the songwriting division. Some of the judges were Phil Carroll – NYCDA, Arthur Massei, Terry Camp, Kat Hoccander, Allison Campbell – MMG, Rebecca Lampiasi, Barry Shapiro and Gary B. – One Management.

In addition to the success of “In Time,” I am proud to be nominated for a Josie Music Award for the second time for my music video “Scent From Heaven”. Furthermore I am nominated for two Wavy Awards for my music video “In Time” and in the category live performance right next to award winning singer-songwriter and pianist Tori Amos. These nominations and recognitions affirm the positive reception my work has received and motivate me to continue creating and sharing my art.

As I move forward, I remain dedicated to expanding my catalog of music and enhancing my visual storytelling through music videos. My goal is to reach wider audiences and make a lasting impact in the entertainment industry.

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?

Throughout my journey in the entertainment industry, three key skills have been paramount: the ability to bring a vision from paper to reality, versatility in wearing multiple hats, and the seamless integration of words and music.

1. Vision to Reality:
My background in film production has been instrumental in bringing my ideas to life. The most significant example of this skill was during a workshop in Nashville, where I learned how to become a TV producer. This experience sparked the creation of my talk show “Songs of my Life”, dedicated to songwriters, musicians, and music producers. The show provided a platform for ten talented musicians to showcase their songs and share the stories behind them. It’s still airing on cable TV in Tennessee and New York, which is a testament to the power of turning a vision into reality. This skill allowed me to merge my production expertise with my artistic side, culminating in a project that continues to make an impact.

2. Versatility in Multiple Roles:
In 2015, I produced, directed, and danced the leading part in my dance play, “Life of a Dancer.” This project, which I originally wrote in 2013, mirrored my journey of moving to New York. It required me to wear different hats: performer, director, and musician. I played the violin and collaborated closely with my team to ensure every aspect of the production aligned with my vision. My ability to communicate effectively with sound and light technicians, as well as with my pianist, was crucial. This versatility in handling various roles and coordinating with a team enabled me to bring the dance play to life seamlessly.

3. Integration of Words and Music:
Another significant skill is the ability to translate the music I hear in my head into a tangible demo version. Using Logic Pro, I can produce demo tracks that capture my musical vision. This process involves arranging the demo and collaborating with talented music producers to bring the final track to life. For example, my collaboration with Collin Stanley on “In Time”, “Offline” and “Road Trip” showcases how essential it is to work with producers who understand and enhance my vision. Knowing the strengths of each producer and how they can contribute to the sound of a particular song has been pivotal in achieving the desired outcome.

Based on my experiences, here are some key pieces of advice for emerging artists:

1. Find a Producer Who Understands Your Vision:
Seek out music producers who resonate with your artistic vision and can enhance your sound. Their understanding of your style and voice is crucial in producing tracks that reflect your true artistry.

2. Know Your Style and Lane:
Be clear about your musical style and the lane you want to occupy. This clarity helps listeners connect with your music and makes it easier for them to relate your sound to familiar influences. For instance, my influences include Madonna and Gloria Estefan, which helps people understand and appreciate my music.

3. Visualize Your Music:
Consider how each song can be translated into a music video. Think about the storyline, locations, and aesthetics that will best represent the song. For example, for “Scent From Heaven,” I chose ethereal surroundings at a waterfall in New Jersey to create a fantasy-like atmosphere. For “Road Trip,” I filmed on my iPhone while traveling in Nashville and Memphis, capturing the essence of a country music video. Understanding the visual aspect of your music enhances its overall impact and helps convey your artistic message effectively.

By honing these skills and following this advice, emerging artists can navigate the complexities of the entertainment industry and create work that resonates with their audience.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

In the last 12 months, my biggest improvement and growth have been in the realm of video production and acting, showcasing a significant evolution in my artistic and professional journey.

Working closely with my videographer, David Clein, we produced several music videos, including “Leap Day,” “Goodbye for Now,” “La Soledad,” “Scent From Heaven,” and “In Time.” The production of “In Time” stands out as a milestone. For this project, I not only produced the video but also hired a cast and crew, including dancers for whom I choreographed routines. We held rehearsals in a rented dance studio, and I managed wardrobe and budget considerations, sourcing 80s-themed clothing and accessories. The video was shot in Bushwick at Sleepwalk NYC, well-known for their suitability for music video shoots. The entire process began with a social media post seeking background actors and dancers, which garnered significant interest and allowed me to cast the right people, including my friend and pianist Nataliya Medvedovskaya, who played the key role in the music video.

My growth in acting is another area of remarkable progress. I played the lead role of Dolly aka Lucia Martina, a Venezuelan immigrant, in the play “Lady Liberty,” written and directed by Nicholas Bompart. This role, performed at the Court Square Theater during the Immigrants of New York festival, involved a compelling dialogue with Lady Liberty about issues in America and Venezuela, providing a deep and meaningful performance opportunity. Additionally, I booked the leading role of Karolina in the movie “Roko Moro,” written and directed by Levon Manoukian, whom I met at a film festival in 2022. For this role, I learned a fantasy language called Mohoroki which sounds similar to Bulgarian, showcasing my versatility and dedication.

I also made strides in my musical career, joining Daniel Jordano’s blues band and performing with renowned guitarist and rehearsal studio owner of Libra Studios Stevie Marshall at notable venues such as Rockwood Music Hall and the annual Bikers against Breast Cancer festival. Furthermore I formed my own band and we had our debut performance in June at Brooklyn Music Kitchen performing my original songs. My next goal is to secure higher-paying gigs and find a booking agent to handle the logistics and ensure fair compensation for my band members and myself.

Besides performing, I was invited by Sound Thinking NYC to mentor an emerging artist during a 10-week mentorship program. I taught my mentee the tools of songwriting, music production and the business side of music publishing. We wrote a song together called “Energy Never Lies” which talks about fake friends and how to overcome these toxic dynamics and rise above this experience.

Overall, the past year has been a period of significant improvement and growth, marked by achievements in music video production, acting, and live musical performances. These experiences have not only enhanced my skills but also expanded my professional network, setting the stage for even greater accomplishments in the future.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Joey Sherrock

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Confidence
Stories of Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Learning from one another is what BoldJourney is all about. Below, we’ve shared stories and

Resilience
Ignoring the Naysayers

Almost everything that’s changed the world in a positive way has been an unreasonable idea.

Leadership Development
What were the conditions that allowed you to develop your empathy?

“Empathy is about finding echoes of another person in yourself.” – Mohsin Hamid We believe