Exploring Life & Business with Charles Duprey Langlois of YUDA COLX

Today we’d like to introduce you to Charles Duprey Langlois.

Hi Charles Duprey, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
When I think back on my formative music instruction, prior to performing Catholic hymns every Sunday morning or rehearsing multicultural music with the Atlanta Young Singers of Callanwolde, I remember listening to my mom act and share stories that cultivated my imagination. Outside of the home, I found other matriarchal mentors encouraging my moral imagination, as well as my pursuit of music and advanced communication. Entering junior high school, I formed bonds with not just music teachers, but grammar and literature teachers, all of whom encouraged me to use my voice through singing, public speaking, and writing. I was discovering a passion for literary arts, which would prepare me to showcase my creativity in high school and throughout my extensive undergraduate education.

High school was a rude awakening. My confidence and my passion for sacred performances had been established through art and ritual music, but I was naive and unbeknownst to the harsh realities of public high school institutions. In spite of the early onset of a mental health condition, I graduated from high school with honors, struggling yet persisting in my commitment to my passions for competitive soccer and singing. My high school music educators continued to provide me with opportunities to sing through a cappella ensembles, barbershop quartets, and advanced chorales. The plain and simple truth is that my struggles with mental health manifested during the five consecutive semesters that followed my admission into the Georgia Institute of Technology. During my time at Georgia Tech, I didn’t know myself well enough or have the mental maturity to recognize my unique creative talents or my distinguished story. I found myself in a state of burnout that would take years for me to recover from. And, in actuality, I wouldn’t have the self-awareness, stability, or strength necessary to contemplate my music education for much longer.

I found myself back at Georgia Tech after years of soul searching in twenty-sixteen. When I caught wind of the establishment of a new music technology program, I submitted a portfolio of vocal performances to the music faculty. As a matriculated student in this inaugural music program at Georgia Tech, I made it my mission to hone skills in musicianship and develop knowledge of the science and theory behind recorded music. I studied the fundamentals of Western harmony and history. I became acquainted with the different components of digital audio workstations. I learned about early pioneers of music technology, like Hildegard Westerkamp, Max Matthews and Pauline Oliveros. I expanded my knowledge of traditional and non-traditional music topics. My time as a student in the music technology program felt like an awakening to the possibilities in the music field. I also rediscovered my passion for vocal performance by singing with the Georgia Tech Glee Club at venues like Yankee Stadium and Spivey Hall. Alas, I wasn’t prepared for the high-level music programming courses or the design-intensive curriculum; however, the courses I worked on at Georgia Tech would lay the groundwork for a fluid transition to a more arts-focused degree program at Georgia State University.

There were a myriad of majors to choose from at the Georgia State School of Music, as opposed to Georgia Tech’s School of Music, with its standalone degree program. In the summer of twenty-nineteen, I made a decision to pursue the Bachelor of Science in Music Management. At Georgia State University, I found the cultural innovation and music economy I had been seeking for years. My first course, History of African American Music, was both inspiring and eye-opening. It was the perfect start to my journey at Georgia State, and it catalyzed a relationship with an African American studies professor for whom I have immense admiration and respect.

After a lifetime of preparation, I was ready to perform at a high level in a program for which I was well-suited. Georgia State allowed me to reconnect with artistic-excellence through instruction in aural skills, composition, counterpoint, history, and vocal performance.

But to be honest some of the most impactful and profound courses were affiliated or tied to entrepreneurship in some way. Be it a class on Entrepreneurship in the Music Industry, Entrepreneurial Thinking, or Startup Incubation & Mentoring, I was fascinated with this new-age method of business practice.

I founded my startup as I was phasing out of Georgia State University in 2022. The support of the Georgia State University Foundation was a testament to the confidence and trust that the Georgia State community had in me as an administrator, manager, leader, and community catalyst / networker.

I’m still connected to Georgia State through the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Institute and Launch GSU.

I’m also extremely proud to be a member of the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s inaugural HYPE Think Tank & Accelerator program for young professionals.

This accelerator is the type of community I envisioned being a part of when I first ventured to Atlanta for my undergraduate studies.

My small music-industry entity prioritizes equity, creative control, marginal success, and longevity in the music business.

I have secured grant funding from the Georgia State University Foundation & the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

I’ve worked really hard & stayed resilient here in the Georgia capitol.

I earned my University System of Georgia degree here. And I chose the entrepreneurial journey here.

I intend to keep the “fire burning” so to speak.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It would be difficult for me to plainly state that the journey so far has been smooth sailing. The voyage would be more appropriately likened to Pi Patel having to navigate the sea after the Japanese freighter sinks in the Mariana Trench, drowning his family.

This year alone has felt like a microcosm of the discomfort and pain that I experienced over the past seven years in Atlanta.

Point being that, more often than not, the journey will be arduous, in-exquisite, and unfulfilling.

The responsibility lies on the ATLien and his support personnel to stay authentic, resilient, and true to themselves.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m an upbeat entrepreneur that derives purpose from my passions for sports, entertainment, and education.

What sets me apart is my commitment and persistence as an athlete, artist, and scholar. I honestly believe that everyone has something they can bring to the table.

Each and every individual on this Earth has unique “assets,” strengths upon which they can expand their personal and professional arsenals.

As an entrepreneur, if I know I’m not the best at finance or operations, I can choose to focus my efforts on human resources, legal aspects, marketing, and note taking until I’ve monopolized my domains.

My dedication to my education is of the utmost importance.

Education is essential and integral to my idiosyncratic talents, entrepreneurial journey, and unfolding story.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
If you want advice, ask for money. If you want money, ask for advice.

Let that sink in for a moment and you will start to understand people a little differently.

It took me too long to start asking the right questions.

If I had any advice for young entrepreneurs in Atlanta starting their entrepreneurial journey, I would tell them to become fixated on asking the right questions.

Eventually, they’ll start asking them at the right time.

Then, they’ll know no bounds.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.yudacolx.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charlieduprey/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlieduprey/