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

Hi Ariel, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I pursued an artistic career simply because I had no other choice! Since about 9 years old, I knew I was meant to be a performer. I loved to sing and at 12 years old I picked up the electric guitar and learned that I had an incredible gift with it and joined a band. I had started learning famous rock n’ roll guitar solos and began performing in front of audiences both as the singer and the guitarist and the audience would freak out seeing a little girl play those iconic guitar solos! I felt at home on stage and wanted to do whatever it took to perform as a career.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art combines all of my loves, pop music melodies , heavy rock guitar and aerial gymnastics. I was a competitive gymnast as a kid before I started playing music. The second I picked up a guitar after already being the singer in a band, I knew I couldn’t just stand there and play. I LOVED rocking out with over the top stage tricks and one day I did a split on stage during a guitar solo and realized I could combine my love of gymnastics with my pop rock music! Years later I discovered aerial gymnastics where you hang upside down on a hoop hanging from the ceiling and fell in love with that as well. Naturally, being the over the top performer I am, I wanted to see if I could play guitar solos upside down on the hoop as well. Turns out I could and you can see me rocking out upside down while shredding the guitar!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Los Angeles has such incredible places to eat at and explore! Being someone with a lot of dietary restrictions, I love to bring people to restaurants with healthy food options and a nice atmosphere. Connie And Teds in West Hollywood is my absolute favorite! I always get the clear broth clam chowder and soft shell steamers! Their Blondie desert is iconic too. One of the most fun areas to see in LA is the Melrose Fashion area. It’s an incredible experience going to the Cosmo And Donato store. They are stylists to the stars and have the most incredible over the top outfits! They will style you to look like a total ROCKSTAR!

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?
There are so many amazing mentors and supporters who have helped me on my journey of being a performing music artist but the people who I’d love to dedicate my shoutout to are my parents! When I started to get recognition for my guitar playing and singing as a kid, my parents would take me to different shows and bars so I could step in with the bands on stage and perform in front of an audience. I never had any rehearsals, I would just have to be ready to jump on stage and rock out no matter what and it really helped me become the performer I am today!

Website: www.arielbellvalaire.com

Instagram: @arielbellvalaire

Facebook: @arielbellvalaire

Youtube: www.youtube.com/arielbellvalaire

Image Credits
Knoc Ho – The Knocking Bird Creative Jamie Kaufman

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