Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Jaimes.
Hi Stephanie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Born and raised in Miami, specifically in Kendall, I started with piano lessons in the 3rd grade and would do recitals at local nursing homes. A year later when I was in the 4th grade, I heard a student orchestra rehearsing in our school cafeteria. I was blown away, I had never seen an orchestra before. And then I found out it was an afterschool club that I could sign up for! I immediately signed up and I was so excited for this new club I was joining. I was familiar with the violin but had no idea what the other instruments were, so I didn’t know what instrument I should sign up for. The teacher said because I was tall and had long fingers, he suggested that I play the cello. I had no idea what that was but I was committed! I came home that night and told my parents I needed to rent a cello so I could start playing immediately!
And I’ve been playing cello since. I played in my school’s orchestra programs, from Gilbert Porter Elementary, to Hammocks Middle, and Felix Varela Highschool. They had great music programs back in the day but unfortunately they longer exist. I also performed as a student with the Greater Miami Youth Symphony, and got the opportunity to play at Carnegie Hall and do a Tour across Italy with this youth orchestra.
As an adult, I consider myself a “Gun for Hire” people call me and I show up. I do recording sessions, high end events for celebrities, and perform with top artists who tour through Miami (from Shakira, to Andrea Bocelli, Bjork, Rosalia, etc).
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?
I didn’t know that I wanted to pursue music professionally until midway through college. I went to FIU, majoring in music, minoring in women’s studies, as well as taking core classes and really enjoyed all the different arts and science classes I was taking, I even worked at the college radio station working as a dj! I was really enjoying college and all it had to offer. But my first year in music school was rough. I was not prepared for the level of talent and discipline that was at the school. At the time, there were a lot of really talented musicians from all over the world and the level of playing was very high. Let’s just say it was a well needed rude awakening! I took a semester off from music to allow myself time to think about my next steps. Music was always a fun hobby of mine, but now it was time to decide if my hobby would become a serious discipline I would pursue.
Around this time I ended up watching the movie August Rush, where the mom in the story used to be an accomplished cellist and eventually comes back to playing cello again. It sounds silly, but watching that movie while I was in my own personal music crisis, was exactly what I needed. It really pushed me to join the music school the following semester and really give it all I had. I came back and I spent all my free time practicing and really developing my craft. And it got me to where I am today.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a classically trained cellist and I specialize in contemporary playing. I specifically specialize in a rhythmic technique called “chopping” which is a fun way to keep the beat in an ensemble, the equivalent of being the drummer in the band. I’m currently working on specializing arranging/recording/mixing my own music. I just released a track on Spotify called Red Bird Road (check it out!), I’m singing while playing cello, and I recorded and mixed the track by myself. I even edited the music video too!
I was very proud of myself for taking on these new skills and releasing a quality finished product. I’m in the process of releasing my cello rendition of Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild”, coming on July 1st! I think what sets me apart from others is I make really cool, unique, and fun cello arrangements, I’m constantly working on developing my skills and my craft, and always working towards the next thing, the next unexpected out of the box thing that you didn’t even know was possible on cello!
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Playing in my middle school orchestra concert and having my grandmother attend. She lived in Ohio and would fly down to visit, and having her fly down to attend my concert and see me perform was such an honor. Honestly we probably sounded awful, considering we were a small middle school orchestra, which makes it even more special that my grandma sat through it! I have a photo with her from that night and I still cherish it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.themiamicellist.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themiamicellist?igsh=ZGU4djJyOWlydmY%3D&utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@stephaniejaimes?si=RlPtGzc445YnBGal
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/track/3VHcJzwX0vfkkUbJYro1Vd?si=949f5182ba9f4265
