Daily Inspiration: Meet Susan Reyes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Reyes.

Hi Susan , so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up in Kennesaw, Ga and my parents are from Ciudad Mante ,Tamaulipas, Mexico. We often traveled back to Mexico to see family. Growing up as a Mexican-American, I grew up in a culture where music plays a huge part in our lives. I began my music/photography journey early in my childhood. I loved singing, dancing, and begged my parents to enroll me into drum lessons and Baile folklórico dance lessons. Thankfully, they did! I was obsessed with classical music, jazz, Latin, rock, etc. The symphonic strings that are often heard in popular media like video games, anime, movies, etc. always captured my attention, especially in other genres such as Mariachi/jazz.

When I entered middle school, I joined the orchestra program as a violist. however, later on I picked up violin in 8th grade and that became my primary instrument. I also joined the choir program and sang in the Alto section. My passion for the arts grew so large and quickly, I decided early on that my future career would be involving music, even though I had major performance anxiety!

In particular, my two North Cobb high school teachers, Dr. Krupiczewicz and Dr. Foster, really helped the start of my career. Through their instruction, support, and guidance, I was able to accomplish many achievements throughout High School. Some achievements include passing the auditions for all state choir, Georgia Honor’s orchestra, the Atlanta Opera’s High School Opera institute, etc. When I graduated in 2013, I was accepted into Kennesaw State University’s School of Music as a double major in Vocal Performance (Opera) and Music Education with a concentration in Orchestral Studies. In the KSU SOM, I was apart of the KSU Chamber Singers, and KSU Symphony. I studied with Kenn Wagner (Violin), Leah Partrdige (Vocal performance), and Valerie Walters (Vocal performance). Here I fell deep into the classical world and graduated in 2019 with my bachelor’s degree in Music Education. Outside of classical music, I began exploring other avenues in the music/arts. At the Ksu school of music, I met Alejandro Sifuentes, an Oboist who was also a KSU SOM student at the time, and through him, we began a Mariachi band called, “Mariachi Búhos de Oro.

I grew up listening to Mariachis perform every weekend at my family’s restaurant called, “Los Reyes”. My grandfather started the first Mexican restaurant in Marietta, Ga and later expanded to several locations in Georgia. I grew up going to to the Los Reyes that used to be located on Chastain Road in Kennesaw very frequently. I worked there throughout high school and into my early 20s until it was permanently closed. I was surrounded by good food and amazing music. I loved the mariachis and would sometimes perform with them singing and playing violin. So, when Alejandro asked me if I was interested in starting a Mariachi band, I jumped at the opportunity and we quickly found success. We have had many amazing opportunities throughout the years such as being featured on the news several times on Fox 5, Atlanta & Company, and an interview on WABE’s City Lights with Lois Reitzes. We have performed at the GA Aquairum, Six Flags, Nascar, Coca Cola headquarters, Papa John’s headquarters, Atlanta Zoo, etc. We also have performed at Middlebury College in Vermont and I was a guest educator on behalf of Mariachi Búhos de Oro at Kennesaw State University and gave a symposium on the history of Mariachi and its impact in world music. Although I did not finish my degree in Vocal performance, I used all of the knowledge and skill I learned to help me sing Mariachi vocals. The technique in operatic vocals and mariachi vocals have a lot of overlap and the education I received at KSU helped me tremendously.

Around the same time, I joined an alternative rock band called “Sarah and The Safe Word” as their harsh vocalist and violinist. We were later signed to Take This to Heart records and did several tours. I wrote all of the violin lines and later on was the entire string section for the band. I used my multi-genre interests and skills to write quartets to orchestras for our songs. I helped with background vocals and provided the screams. I was in the band for about 7 years and left in 2023.

Later on in college I joined a band called, “City Playgrounds”. I was invited by my friend and mariachi bandmate, Aldo Cardenas, to play violin and do backup vocals. This band also introduced me to many other musicians in the Atlanta area outside of the KSU music world. Joining the KSU Jazz combo and taking Jazz vocal instruction under Kamala Harris really helped me thrive in City playgrounds. This band dances around Jazz, funk, pop, etc.

During college I also began teaching strings privately at Paulding Music Center. This was my first official job as a music educator. Once I graduated from KSU, I started supply teaching and doing Orchestra clinician work for several schools around the metro Atlanta area. I Help students prepare for performances, auditions, etc.

I wear many hats and have a lot of different interests. While I was busy exploring the music world, I also began taking my photography hobby that I developed in high School to the next level and started doing photoshoots. I started the official journey during my time at KSU photographing headshot portraits for my friends and other university music students. I began shooting concerts and shows both at KSU and at venues in/around Atlanta. I then ventured into wedding photography and also picked up videography along the way. My favorite type of photography is concert photography and working with bands/artists. I’ve directed and shot a couple of music videos and have been fortunate enough to have my photography work featured in Kerrang! Magazine and Immersive Atlanta.

I have been very fortunate to have had many experiences throughout my career in the arts. I have performed at Atlanta Symphony hall, Warped Tour, Center Stage, Wolfcreek amphitheater, The Atlanta Botanical gardens, All stages of The Masquerade Atlanta ,etc. and also recorded/sang as a background church singer on a track featured in an episode of the TV show, “Star” staring Queen Latifah in 2017. I also do a lot of session work for other artist in and outside of Atlanta and have often traveled around GA and surrounding states for Photography and Violin work. I am thankful that all of my experiences have helped me thrive in many different genres of music and have gotten to know/work with a variety of amazingly talented artists!

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?
I mentioned performance anxiety and it was something I had to really push through. I choose a career where I am consistently in the spotlight although I am an introvert at heart. I can still recall the intense anxiety and shaking I would experience when I would perform in college. I was determined to fight through the mental struggles to do what I love, which is making music/art. I found a confidence in teaching and began feeling at home on stage. Being in the classical world is not for the weak. You really have to put in the work and have a discipline to be able to make a career in this field. Learning how to balance work, friends, family, hobbies, just life in general was and can still be a huge challenge. Throughout college I was working full time, going to school, and was trying to survive like many. I had some personal hardships I had to overcome as well.

I’ve been told that I do so many things that can take 72 hours in a 24 hour day. However, my passion has always kept the flame lit and I am super grateful for where I am today.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Currently, I am a private string educator, clinician for several schools in the metro-atlanta area, photographer for bands/artists, concerts, weddings, etc., and freelance violinist in the Atlanta area.

My mariachi band, “Mariachi Búhos de Oro”, is celebrating it’s 10th year and recently performed in an episode of TLC’s, “Jay & Pamela”. I performed with the KSU Philharmonic Orchestra on behalf of the mariachi band with our Vihuelist, Alejandro Sifuentes, and performed for Camp Athena at Reinhardt University. We have some exciting festivals in the works for fall seasons and are looking forward to the holiday gig season that is rapidly approaching.

A couple of weeks ago, the band I play violin/do background vocals in, “City Playgrounds” played a show in Atlanta and we are writing new music and doing some shows soon in the future! I also have been doing some shows/recording music with the latin pop artist, “Felicita”. I love working with artists from all genres and have done string work for different bands such as Ghost Moths, Great Wide Nothing, Bummer Hill, Lady Band, Small Time ‘Capone, Felicita, etc.

A track by Shayfer James titled, “Headed Home”, was released earlier this year and it was honor to have my string work on it. I met Shayfer James when my former band, “Sarah and The Safe Word”, toured together in 2023. Shayfer James has become a favorite artist of mine and I am glad I can call him a friend.

My private string studio is at Paulding Music Center and I have around 30 private students. My students are incredibly talented and I am lucky to have had students who have gone on to pursue their own careers in music. I still am an orchestra clinician and work with several schools in the surrounding areas as well!

The most recent development in my music career is the start of my new hardcore punk band called, “Muelas”. I have been wanting to start this kind of project for years and never had the opportunity to make it come to fruition. We released our first demo titled “Glass Smile” on all streaming platforms in April and it has been played on KCSU-FM (Colorado State University), WREK 91.1 (Georgia Tech), and WMRE (Emory University). We headlined our debut show on June 15th at The Altar (Masquerade Atlanta) with Big Yellow, Split Silk, and Tunnels. We have some exciting shows we will be announcing in the near future and will be releasing a new single soon.

I am mainly focused on music, however, I have been getting back to doing photography again and recently shot Cascadent’s Album release show at Drunken Unicorn earlier this year and the MBDNA Invitational

What I am the most proud of is that I have been able to take my love of music into a passionate career that has given me many successes. I love being a teacher and helping students start their music journey whether that is in classical, jazz, rock, latin, etc. I never allowed myself to fit into one box and while my life can be hectic, I don’t take any of it for granted.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
My email and Dm’s are open for those who would to book me for string work, photos, etc. I perform and shoot for a living so that Is the best way I can be supported.

My mariachi band, “Mariachi Búhos de Oro” is for hire for your special events, parties, festivals, etc. We have worked for schools providing an educational experience for their students as well. We are only an email/dm away!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.susanireyes.com
• Instagram: @mariachibuhosdeoro
• Facebook: mariachibuhosdeoro
• Other: Email: susaniraisreyes@gmail.com / Email: mariachibuhosdeoro@gmail.com / IG: @susyireyes.photo

Image Credits
Gabriel Acosta Ig: @songoftheminerals
Noah Johnson Ig: @bloomstrings.co
Isaias Sanchez Valderrama Ig: @visualsofisa
Katie Claire IG: @ktclairephotography
Ashly Nicole IG: @ashlynicolephoto