Today, we’d like to introduce you to Johnny Mata.
Hi Johnny, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
I was born in San Luis Potosí Rioverde, Mexico, but when I was one year old, my parents immigrated to the United States. I grew up in Encinitas, California. We were a very poor Latino family, but my parents did their best and made sure we always had plenty.
We later moved to San Marcos, CA, around the time my brother and I started thinking about starting a music school. At the time, I was attending ICZ Music Institute and Palomar College. I was learning a lot of things and how to apply them. In 2019, my brother and I finally formed City Light Inc., a nonprofit in North County, San Diego.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There has been so many struggles along the way, mainly financial because my parents were poor I had to work a lot to pay for my own things. For example a lot of kids would just be able to focus on going to school, I couldn’t do that I had to work to help pay the expenses of the house.
On my days off I would help my parents with their house cleaning business because they worked long hours. I loved the business, but sometimes, I would get really tired.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar with what you do, what can you tell them about what you do?
I am mostly known as a pianist and music instructor and am now the CEO of City Light Inc. The thing that I am most proud of is that in the last 10 years, I’ve been able to teach music to hundreds of kids in the San Diego area.
What sets me apart is that my real gift is not playing piano, my real gift is teaching music because it takes a lot of patience, hours and dedication. Teaching is not for the faint of heart. You have to be all in.
How do you define success?
Success to me is a healthy family. Money is a by-product of hard work but doesn’t always define success. A strong family is a great sign of a successful person.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.citylightofficial.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/citylightmusicacademy?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
