Today we’d like to introduce you to Gill Sotu.
Gill, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started in Oxnard, California. I went from performing at high school assemblies and small performances around town as a teenager to growing up and performing in symphony halls and large theaters here in San Diego and other states. In the middle of all that was a four-year enlistment in the Navy, traveling all around the world, two kids and a beautiful wife.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
“Smooth” is relative. I feel I have lived a blessed life but it was not as easy as others.
Grew up in a single parent home. We didn’t have a lot of money growing up but we managed. It is a constant struggle as an artist. A struggle to get better, a struggle to be known, but not dependent on social media to feel relevant. There is a struggle to find your own voice and to reach others in a profound way.
Being a young black African American male and navigating people’s preconceived notions about you. Another huge struggle is the home/life/work/health balance. So the struggles will remain, I believe the key to happiness, especially as an artist is to not do away with the struggles but to change your perspective.
Gill Sotu – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am an artist through and through. I work freelance for many companies. But here is a bird’s eye view.
Artist in Residence – Makers Church:
– Here I create content, DJ, perform spoken word poetry, and curate creative workshops and events.
Teaching Artist – The Old Globe:
– Here I teach intro into playwriting, Globe In The Park (Jr. High & High School Shakespeare Program), and I give performances (song, spoken word).
Commissioned Artist – The Old Globe:
– I am also commissioned to write a full-length play for the Globe, which I am currently working on.
Artist/Producer – San Diego Symphony:
-This year I have been commissioned to write and perform poetry as well as host for the San Diego Symphony (Beat Quest) and help perform, host and co-produced one of their Summer Pops Series this July.
DJ – MYDJ’s.Net
– I am a premiere DJ with MY DJ’s. One of San Diego’s most popular DJ services.
**I also WRITE, PERFORM, DJ, HOST, CURATE, AND PRODUCE shows for various business around Southern California. Too many to name. You can find more info on my website: gillsotu.com.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I have 3, and they have all come within these last 2 years: Performing with the San Diego Symphony, Hosting TEDx, and being commissioned by The Old Globe to write my play. (in no particular order).
Contact Info:
- Website: GILLSOTU.COM
- Email: INFO@GILLSOTU.COM
- Instagram: @GILLSOTU
- Facebook: WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/GILLSOTU
- Twitter: WWW.TWITTER.COM/GILLSOTU
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