Today we’d like to introduce you to Sebastian Gabriel.
Hi Sebastian, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My name is Sebastian Gabriel best known as “Sebagabo” in social media and I am a musician from Venezuela based in Tampa, Florida. My story begins when at the age of five my mother decides to sign me up for violin lessons. Since that day I loved music and never stopped. I started my musical journey when I was 8 years old at the “Regional Youth Orchestra” of my hometown (Maracay, Edo Aragua). Then I was part of a chamber orchestra called “Ensamble de Violines Venezuela” for more than nine years. At the age of 15, I am accepted at the “Simon Bolivar” music conservatory, Caracas, Venezuela where I continued my musical studies.
Despite growing up with a classical music background, popular music has always caught my attention. Since I was young, I always liked to play popular songs with the violin, if something was trending probably I was doing it on the violin. My first experience as a pop musician was at the age of 15 when the idea of creating a band with my schoolmates arose. We had drums, guitar and voice, and of course my violin. I wanted to do something different, so I called two friends from the orchestra who played violin and cello, and that’s how “Mizing One” was born under the vision of “Symphonic Pop”. People started listening to us in the city because we had a different style mixing modern songs with classical tunes and we got to play at the best restaurants in the city, we went to the radio, tv programs and we were even able to travel around the country to do shows. It was a very cool experience to be able to have all this exposure so young and learn how music works as a business as well.
2018 was a very difficult year for me and my family. My mother received death threats due to political differences and for our safety, my parents decide to flee the country and land in the United States. I am very grateful to be here and have met many good people who helped and motivated me to move forward. It was hard but I never lost the faith to pursue my dreams. I was learning English for a year and working as a Bus Boy in a Japanese restaurant. I still remember the day I got promoted to Dishwasher and I was super happy to get $50 per day. Living the processes is the best way to learn because each step you take is an achievement and you value it a lot.
I got my first job related to music in 2019 when Westchase Music School gave me the opportunity to be part of their teacher’s team. Since then I’m a violin and piano teacher and I currently have more than 40 students that I am super proud of.
However, music was not my only option. In 2020, I decided to enroll in the Phlebotomy program in order to start my career in the medical field. I was thinking in my future and I felt that with a degree or something related to health care I was going to have more stability in my life. My plan was to start with this diploma and then enroll in the nursing program. Within months of graduating, I got hired at the main hospital as a Phlebotomist. During the whole year that I worked in the hospital, I never stopped making music and videos. Despite all the uncertainty and thinking about it many times, I realized that my happiness was not there and I decided to leave this job and do my best to succeed with music. I think it was a great decision and now I’m very happy doing what I love!
I have always been a fan of making videos. I’m very passionate about making covers and I always record videos with my friends and even just with my violin. Since 2018 I have been posting videos of my violin versions of different famous songs and have been gaining followers around the world, but this year everything changed when a video on Tiktok went viral and got more than 2 million views. Since then, requests for events, interviews, collaborations and more have not stopped coming. It’s crazy how life can change and I’m super grateful for everything that’s happening in my career right now. I hope my story helps that people who are trying to achieve their dreams!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been a difficult road, but I have always seen the positive side of everything. When I moved to the US, I was able to explore new cultures and being part of it. At first, the main problem was the language and after a year of practicing my speaking, I was able to have a conversation in English. I am very grateful to have met many good people who helped me. Starting from the bottom makes you think differently. I only had my violin when I moved here so my first performances were just with my acoustic violin, then I was able to buy a speaker, then a microphone and little by little I grew until today. There will always be problems in the road but nothing is impossible.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a professional musician and my main instrument is the violin. I play all kinds of music genres from classical, pop, Latin music, hip-hop, house, rock and more. I love to play different styles with the violin and see people’s reactions because usually people associate the violin with classical music, so when I play famous hits people get impressed and it’s great to have that immediate feedback from the audience. Recently I’ve been posting a lot of videos performing Reggaeton with my violin at fancy events and people really like it and always ask for more! I called this “Fancy Reggaeton”. I try to catch all-ages audiences with my music, playing modern music but with a classical style so everyone can enjoy it. Latin music has been raising all these years and people around the world are listening to it so I feel so proud of been part of this culture and keep representing my roots through my music.
I’m proud of being able to do what I love the most that is music. Maybe life was not easy at the beginning, but I am very proud that despite the obstacles today I am achieving my dreams and working hard to fulfill many more. I’m so proud to have a beautiful family who supports me in every step that I do.
I’m really passionate with my art and projects. As a Live Performer, I always try to provide a unique experience on my performances dedicating hours in all the details like customized set-list songs, equipment aesthetic, outfit style, etc. I feel that music goes beyond playing. The way you move, the way you show yourself, everything counts even the little details.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
I think the most important lesson I’ve learned so far is that consistency is the key to success. I never stopped doing what I love and always tried my best with music. God always rewards you if you work hard to achieve your goals.
Contact Info:
- Website: sebagabo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sebagabo/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBG15RDX-yepzTEPpxzV5bw
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4TVKAxOF3thbVhzrudsOE8
