We had the good fortune of connecting with Victoria Ricalde and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Victoria, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I’m a musician who frequently performs solo gigs, which means I have to pitch myself to venue owners and booking agents in order to get jobs. Every time I do, there’s a risk that the person will say they have no openings, or they’re looking for a different genre, or that I’m welcome to play but the only pay will be tips. There’s an even bigger risk that the person I reach out to by phone or email will simply never respond. Each time this happens—and it happens often—I experience a sting of rejection. That fear of rejection is a huge part of why self-employed folks don’t get their businesses off the ground. It is so hard to overcome the fear of self-promotion because we are afraid we might get viewed as pushy, or annoying, or that we might get flat-out told that we’re not wanted. But I’ve learned from people who have been in the business longer than me to reframe my thinking about that risk. If I believe in what I have to offer, then when I extend that offer to others, I’m giving them the opportunity to receive something good. That’s why I continue to put myself out there, even though it still scares me. And the new paths that have opened up for me as a result have proven to be worth the risk.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I love to perform popular standards from the jazz, pop, and soul repertory, but my true passion is songwriting and composition. At the college I attended, there was no composition degree available, so I ended up majoring in violin performance while taking as many composition electives as I could. Along the way I discovered that I wanted to develop a sound that combined the depth and technical fluency of classical music with the accessibility of pop music. After college I took several years to expose myself to more musical sounds and influences such as Kimbra, Punch Brothers, Gretchen Parlato, Hiatus Kaiyote, and others.

One of the bigger challenges for me has been figuring out how to include my violin in vocal performances. Unfortunately, the violin doesn’t lend itself well for self-accompanying for many reasons—the two biggest being holding posture (under the chin) and difficulty of playing supportive harmonies. Fortunately I learned one way of solving these problems with a looper, which allows me to record multi-layered harmonies with my violin and then sing over them in live settings. I find that people are fascinated by the creation of these loops, just as I was when I first heard it done.

I’m currently working on a full album project entitled A Wilderness of Mirrors, which will tell the story of my faith journey. Since I’m self-producing it on the side while working as a teacher and performer, it is slow-going, but I’m eager to get it out into the world. Please follow my social media accounts for updates on my progress!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I keep a detailed list of things to do in DFW just so I can whip it out and pick out activities based on my friends’ interests. One place I visited recently was The Free Man in Deep Ellum, where I enjoyed crawfish etouffee and the Magnolia cocktail (made with the “crushed dreams of my childhood”) while listening to great music by a local funk outfit, Lady Diamond & the Ruff Rubies. I love Deep Ellum in general—Emporium Pies is also a favorite.

The Library Bar over at the Warwick Melrose on Oak Lawn is truly a classy spot for cocktails and live music. My friend and colleague Erik Barnes plays over there several nights a week and he’s such an entertainer. He’ll play anything from trending pop like Billie Eilish to old school jazz and theatre standards.

The Bishop Cidercade is also a unique spot. I love a hard cider and there’s a flavor for everyone over there, not to mention a huge collection of vintage arcade games.

If I need a day to rest and recharge, I love to visit Spa Castle in Carrollton. They have several types of sauna rooms as well as outdoor and indoor pools, and hot soaking tubs. You can stay all day—and I do. Due to the pandemic I haven’t been back for a long time and my muscles are missing it.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Christian Howes is a multi-faceted performer, educator, and mentor, and his advice on both musicianship and the business side of the industry has proven to be instrumental (pun intended) in my growth as a performer and teacher. I attended several of his Creative Strings Workshops (once of which took place recently in Dallas) and had my mind blown repeatedly by all the informative and inspirational content. I credit those workshops and his Music Biz Mastermind course with teaching me many valuable skills that have made me the confident and business-savvy soloist I am today.

I also have to thank Stephanie and Eduardo Rojas of Rojas School of Music. Based in Grapevine, TX, RSOM offers applied instruction on a wide variety of instruments in addition to group classes and orchestras. Being a music teacher in conjunction with RSOM has helped me not only to understand my craft better but to become a better person. I’m so thankful to them for giving me the opportunity to pass on my knowledge and love of music to the next generation of students.

Website: facebook.com/victoriaricaldemusic

Instagram: @victoria_ricalde

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1jiirhq-ttKb1OXTti-CKA

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.