Meet Braden Pontoli: Musician – Composer – Conductor – Educator

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

Hi Braden, how do you think about risk?
I believe life hits you with mountains and valleys and the option to hike them or not. You can look afar from a safe distance and never take that risk, or you can choose to take the risk of injury, strain, time, and physical exhaustion in climbing up and down these difficult trails. However, if you do, the reward is fulfilling and the view is beautiful. My career path has definitely been full throttle of those mountains and valleys at times, and other times, looking from that distance planning out my next hike. Right now I feel I have been planning out the next big steps I see myself evolve as an Artist, Composer, and Producer.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I would describe my music as beautiful, captivating, and bending too many genres together. You should go check it out for yourself! Along from creating music, I am also a producer mainly working in post production (editing/sound design/scoring) and an educator. Because I have many facets of who I am as a person and an artist, it is hard to always keep all of the plates spinning. I have taken chapters in my life to evolve in music, to study different relationships with music and art, and to harness the best ways possible to teach music and to guide others with music. I want the world to know my story, my unique music, and to want to hear more from what I’m hoping to release soon!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We would start with a guava pastry at Porto’s Bakery in Burbank. From there we would head north to hike off that pastry at Vasquez rocks. Then we would take the scenic rt. 126 out to Santa Barbara to go wine tasting for the weekend…Then drive down highway 1 through Malibu stopping at Point Dume working our way down to Venice Beach. We’d explore downtown LA, the Arts District, and take a tour of MOCA and the Broad. Finally we’d soak in the sun at the Huntington Gardens near Pasadena and get some killer Dim Sum near Alhambra!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to thank the arts community at large. During these trying times, it has been exhilarating seeing my fellow collaborators and artists who have inspired me create meaningful and beautiful work even during a pandemic. You all inspire me and move me to keep going. I would like to thank all of my music teachers and colleagues from Los Angeles College of Music, California Institute of the Arts, Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music, along with all of the brilliant musicians and educators I have worked with in California, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. I would also like to thank my partner, Tommy Lei @mybelonging for always believing in me even when I’m stuck in that valley and who guides me to see the light again.

Website: https://bradenpontolimusic.com

Instagram: @bradenpontolimusic

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/braden-pontoli-3a4b0237/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bradenpontolimusic

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHBtDbjSKOOy0uogQC4YHvg

Other: https://soundcloud.com/braden-joseph-3

Image Credits
Tommy Lei, Gabriela De Leon