Meet Victor Dutra | Pianist

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

Hi Victor, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Honestly, this is one of the biggest challenges in my life. I haven’t found a perfect balance yet because I juggle a lot: family, being a worship leader, professional musician, friends, and even making time to exercise. Whenever I focus more on one area, I notice another area doesn’t get as much attention, and that can be frustrating.
I’ve learned to approach life in seasons. For example, when I dedicated a period to my piano project, I gave it my full attention. After that, I set aside a week or two purely for family time. Around festive seasons like Christmas, my priorities shift heavily toward church leadership. It’s all about intentionally adjusting focus.
For me and many millennials with families, managing time well is one of the biggest challenges. I believe that finding the right balance is key to happiness. And for me, God is at the center of it all. I ask Him for wisdom to guide my time and my tasks, inviting Him into whatever season I’m in, whether I’m focusing more on music or being a better dad. Ultimately, no matter the season, having God’s presence makes all the difference.

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.
could talk for hours, but in a nutshell: there’s this internal force in me that’s always pushed me to make music. I remember my first professional gig at 15 and just being amazed that I could actually earn money doing what I loved. From that point on, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. It took a lot of hard work, dedication, and patience. Talent alone never gets you there, you have to put in the hours of practice and learn from every experience.
I’ve had the privilege of working in so many different settings, musical theater, churches, samba bands, jazz nights, you name it. Each one added something unique to my toolkit and made me the musician I am today. It wasn’t easy and it still isn’t, but it’s incredibly rewarding.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We’d start with coffee. LA has no shortage of good cafés, but I’d take them to Intelligentsia in Silver Lake.
From there, the week would be about mixing iconic LA experiences with a few hidden treasures. One day we’d head to the coast, sure, everyone knows Santa Monica and Venice, but I’d drive us further up to El Matador Beach in Malibu, cliffs, and some of the most stunning sunsets you’ll ever see.
Food is non-negotiable in LA, so I’d make sure we hit both the classics and the unexpected. Maybe tacos from a food truck in Boyle Heights, Korean BBQ in Koreatown, and a dinner at République, where you can really taste how global this city is.
At night, I’d want them to some live music, The Baked Potato , or a night at the Hotel Café with singer-songwriters sharing their craft.
Honestly, the best moments would be the unplanned ones, like stopping for In-N-Out on the way home.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First I have to give credit to God. He’s the source of my inspiration to create, and the strength I rely on to keep moving forward in this journey. Everything I do starts there.
Second, my wonderful wife. She supports me unconditionally, through long rehearsals, late-night projects, and seasons of intense work. Her encouragement keeps me grounded, and her love makes all of this possible.

Website: https://www.victordutras.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victor_dutras/