By Madi Taylor
Staff Writer
Talent is in the air of Mira Costa’s halls, as senior Tony Nguyen has been strumming his way to stardom for the past five years.
Nguyen is a singer-songwriter when he takes the stage, and he is now opening doors for many more musicians in the South Bay area to get their creative juices flowing.
Nguyen’s song writing began when he was in 7th grade, and he has been compiling collections of songs ever since. Over Winter Break, Nguyen began recording his Extended Play album, “New Beginnings,” which will be released in late March.
“I focus on ideas and communicating my experiences as a human being into a song,” Nguyen said.
Nguyen is writing and producing his own songs that will debut on the album. Drummer senior Blake Ohanesian is the only other musician on the album. Nguyen plays the guitar, bass and sings on the record.
“Working with Tony has always been one of my favorite things to do,” Ohanesian said. “His dedication and feel for music emanates in the room, and it’s like a language that he and I know. I wouldn’t want to know any other language.”
Nguyen’s album has been influenced by major musical forces, such as Eric Clapton, Miles Davis and John Mayer. Nguyen also applies what he has learned from being in Costa’s jazz band, in which he plays guitar, piano, bass and trumpet and sings. Nguyen has also been a member of Costa’s choir for all four years and is in Costa’s male a capella group, “Mira Costa Muscle.”
“Whether it is feeling love, unrequited love, feeling alone or not belonging, I usually focus on intense feelings like these,” Nguyen said.
Mid-Way Day is also a forum for Nguyen to showcase his abilities and songwriting knowledge. For two years, he has been teaching the class “Songwriting 101.” This year, both of his sessions were filled. Nguyen shared advice on finding inspirations and simply sticking with an idea and running with it to its full extent.
“Tony’s class really helped me hone in on my inspirations,” Junior Jon Sullivan said. “He is passionate about music and it is easy to tell that he wants to inspire people to become as interested.”
Nguyen was inspired by the positive feedback he received from the Mid-Way Day classes. Due to the lack of performing venues for teens in the South Bay, Nguyen is planning to start his own program called “In House Arts.”
This program will be an open microphone night for musicians and poets, held at the Nguyen’s house.
“There will be 20 performers at our first performance,” Nguyen said. “It will be a great night filled with lots of very talented students.”
“In House Arts” will be a monthly event, held on the first Saturday of every month, and the first event is planned to take place on March 1.
“Even though there are mostly poets and musicians for the first event, I hope that the open mic will be able to grow and change and allow for other forms of art to be performed and showcased,” Nguyen said.
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