Meet Micah Wright: Musician

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

Hi Micah, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?

During my 9 years of living and working as a musician in Los Angeles, I often find myself in situations that require difficult decisions. These situations have taught me a lot about myself, and I would say that, artistically, these principles are most important to me:

–Be true to who you are, and be true to your artistic vision. It’s ok to go against the grain. As long as you are genuine with your art and put in the necessary work, there will be an audience for you.

–Be continually learning, and don’t be afraid to try new things. I really enjoy the diverse workload that I have, which would not be possible without this mindset.

–Take care of yourself physically and mentally. I have found that I am much more inspired and motivated when I am taking time to be active and clear my mind. For me hiking and exploring the natural areas around LA has become an almost daily routine.

–Treat everyone with respect and always be professional.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

I am a freelance musician in Los Angeles, working in a variety capacities. I work regularly as a clarinetist, pianist, arranger, composer, educator, audio engineer, and woodwind player. I have degrees from USC (Doctor of Musical Arts), Rice University (Master of Music), and Drake University (Bachelor of Music).

I think that my versatility is what sets me apart as a musician. I try to bring a high level of artistry to everything I do, and have been successful and consistently employed in many areas of music. I really enjoy going from one part of music-making to another, and learning the ins-and-outs of music. I feel that experiencing these different perspectives gives me a more complete understanding of music.

I have had to overcome many challenges during my career. The first of which was the rigor of 10 years of music school. I was a performance major for all of my degrees, which required a lot of discipline in both the practice room and the classroom. The second big challenge was trying to establish a career in Los Angeles as a freelance musician. I would say that has been the most difficult challenge of my career. There were definitely times that were financially. It took a lot of trial and error, creative thinking, and perseverance to get through those times. At the moment, I feel very stable and comfortable with my workload, the people and institutions I work with, and my income. It took several years to get to this point, but the hard work has paid off.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

My favorite thing about Los Angeles is that it has everything. For me, the hikes, natural areas, museums, and food are the biggest perks. You have truly amazing options for food and outdoor activities.

Anytime someone visits me in LA, I take them to get Poke and tacos. My favorite Poke place is Poke Pola in Long Beach, and my favorite taco place is not possible to determine – there are so many good taco trucks!

I am a very avid hiker, and these are some of my most memorable hikes:

-Palos Verdes Bluffs/the entire peninsula
-Mt. Baldy
-Wisdom Tree in Griffith Park

I really enjoy the Natural History Museum, La Brea Tar Pits, and Los Angeles Zoo as well.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have learned so many invaluable lessons from my colleagues and teachers. Observing and working with fellow musicians and educators has taught me more about music and professionalism than I can say. I would also like to thank my parents who have always been very supportive, and gave me a great start in music.

Instagram: @micahwrightmusic

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/micah-wright-musician/

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

Image Credits
Photo Credits: Espen Aas Etienne Gara Hannah Wright Micah Wright