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

Hi Cristian, what role has risk played in your life or career?
In my opinion, risks are opportunities and my life has been full of them. I am one of those people who think that in order to grow you have to get out of your comfort zone and take risks. It is the only way to grow. For example, when I decided to change majors and pursue my dream. I transferred from architecture to music and that decision scared me because my scholarship was at stake. I would be criticized and live in uncertainty but the reward was to grow and be happy doing what I really enjoyed. Since then, I’ve been taking as many risks as I can, for example leaving to another country whose language and culture were completely strange to me. I got my bachelor’s degree from my dream school. I recently moved to Los Angeles to pursue other dreams that I have. I’m starting over and completely alone. Living in a city that I’ve never been to before, living by the day and away from family. However, I know that the reward is going to be worth it even if it takes me a while to achieve it. I could have stayed in my comfort zone back home, but my desire to grow, learn and live my dreams was always bigger. As I take more risks it gets easier and easier to do it. One of my goals for 2021 was to get out of my comfort zone as much as I could. This led me to do things that I would have never imagined but helped me to develop so much as a human being. If something that I need to do makes me feel uncomfortable or scared I go for it just because I know that what I’ll get in return is going to be bigger than my fears. Taking risks has led me to live my dream and the best life I could have ever imagined. I am an artist in Los Angeles.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My life has been full of upside downs and tough decisions. I always wanted to be a musician and dreamed of playing everywhere in the world. After high school, I decided to study architecture, but an anxiety crisis led me to come back to music and prepare myself professionally. I never had the necessary means to leave my dear country Ecuador and study at the school of my dreams `Berklee College of Music´ in Boston. However, this led me to prepare myself and try my best to obtain scholarships. I tried several times and by my fourth audition, I was awarded a scholarship to go to Berklee. Additionally, I was awarded the Latin Grammys Foundation scholarship which helped me boost my confidence and believe in myself. Going to Berklee was a challenge. I had anxiety and endless panic attacks. I went to the hospital several times and by that time I couldn’t get proper treatment for my disorder. I was completely alone but I hoped it would be worth it. Berklee opened my eyes and gave me a lot of opportunities. It allowed me to dream bigger. During the pandemic, I dedicated myself to personal growth and improving my skills and talents. I developed my solo project as a singer-songwriter and went for it. My message is of transparency and being humble. I want to show how vulnerable I can be. I don’t like to hide behind masks and pretend that everything is perfect. I want people to know that I am a human being and that despite life’s upside downs, you can achieve your dream and you can always move forward. I try to be very grateful to those who support me and give them a piece of my heart. I have learned a lot in the process, I know that whatever I set my mind to, I can achieve it and that fear and the setbacks of life only help us to grow.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This is a tough one since LA is huge and there are so many things to see.

I would probably start early, grabbing a coffee from my favorite coffee shop Stereoscope on Sunset Blvd, and then head to Hollywood Walk of Fame. It is a must if you’re visiting LA plus you can take nice pictures.

Lunch at Beverly Hills’ nice restaurants. Some I like are Javier’s, Mírame or Crustacean. Or any restaurant by Wolfgang Puck if budget allows it.

Post lunch ride in Mullholand Dr. and a short walk in Rodeo Dr. Pictures included.

In the afternoon, a walk around Santa Monica with some cold drinks. Walk along the pier until sunset. Los Angeles’ sky is something I haven’t seen anywhere else. Simply stunning.

In the evening, we can grab a few drinks in a bar with live music in the Valley. And finish the night eating tacos from a food truck. All of them are good!!

Still missing out on many amazing places!

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?
I want to dedicate this shoutout to my family for their endless support and patience. To my friends who have blindly supported me since day one and to every person who has crossed my path and has helped me grow. Without them, I would not be living my dreams.

Website: elcristianavila.com

Instagram: @elcristianavila

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/cristian-avila-b5ba05219 Cristian Avila

Facebook: @soycristianavila

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-u7E0RWrj4Jf_8i8oUcR5A

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