It is often questioned whether majoring in music will lead one to a successful career path or not, but what most people don’t realize is that music is relentless. It is a form of speech that is expressed in such a way that cannot be formally spoken.
Former Pierce College student Bryan Barcinas is currently studying music composition at Cal. State Northridge (CSUN). Barcinas grew up watching a lot of Disney movies that inspired him to pursue a career in music with a focus in film. He is a self-taught musician, and can play the guitar and piano.
The love that Barcinas has for music is what allowed him to follow his dreams. During his senior year in high school, he took a composition class with a professor from University of California, Berkeley who assured him of what he wanted to do.
“I’ve always been a fan of Disney movies and video games and I got into composing music at Pierce. I started to take some music classes and that is what got me into majoring in music,” Barcinas said.
While Barcinas was attending Pierce, he took private lessons for composition with professor Neal Desby at the University of Southern California.
During his time at Pierce, Barcinas and a few other friends created a club, League of Musicians, to help others. It was constructed to help any students who are hesitant or unsure about majoring in music, and to tutor those who need help with certain classes. The club had more than 20 members. Barcinas also tutored kids that were mentally impaired.
On Nov. 14 and 16, Barcinas and his friend, Omar Del Real, came to Pierce to give a lecture to more than 200 students on what it takes to be a successful transfer student in majors such as music, theater and more. The students were split into two groups, each with 100 people. The lecture lasted 30-40 minutes. It was his first lecture in which he was described as “great”.
Barcinas wants to give back to the community and inspire people. At the lecture, he gave out his email to those who had any questions regarding music, art, or animation because he has many connections at UCLA, CSUN and USC.
Barcinas’ accomplishments and hard work has opened up a lot of opportunities for him. He worked with USC on animations that premiered in a festival in Korea.
“It was pretty big for me because that was my first premiere of awards,” Barcinas said.
When he first attended CSUN he wanted to reach out. Barcinas sent out emails to USC since they were having a first look festival, which is an animation festival. Barcinas had a website designed that opened many doors for him.
“That opened a lot of gates for me. That website is my vehicle towards finding clients, reaching the world and finding creative people,” Barcinas said.
According to Barcinas, he won a school scholarship for most promising composer. All his hard work has given him the chance to live on his own, and composing music has helped become a more independent student.
Next semester, Barcinas will be starting an internship where he will be working for big production houses in Los Angeles that focus on movies.
“By the age of 30, I hope that I’ve done a television show that’s on all over the world, or perhaps a movie that is out in theaters,” Barcinas said.
Pierce College student Leonardo Garcia said Barcinas organized sectionals to go over the notes with whatever section people need help with.
“He’s a really cool guy and outgoing person. It was definitely a good idea for him to come and give a lecture. I think everyone in there benefited. I’ve been debating on whether I should major in music and him going over his life and personally speaking to him just kind of solidified the fact that I should be pursuing music,” Garcia said.
Instructor of music John Schneider said Barcinas really cares about his future and is a top student.
“Bryan had been self-serving and self-promoting in a wonderful way. He was always involved, helping out other people, and offering to be a tutor. He was one of my best students,” Schneider said.
