Today we’d like to introduce you to Khrysster Prince Ipalari.
Hi Khrysster, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
My passion for music began when I was about six years old. In the Philippines, I had my first cheaply made guitar as I wanted to reenact a song on YouTube at the time. Not taking any lessons, I continued to learn using YouTube tutorials and sat on the computer for hours and hours just to learn that song. As I learned that one song, I felt an incredible amount of joy but soon quit the guitar as my only purpose was to learn that one song.
When I was 10 years old, along with my family, we moved to Hawai’i to finally meet all of my family. I do not know the exact date, but I asked my grandpa for a guitar for my birthday, and my passion was then again ignited as I learned more and more songs in order to play for my family at parties. Then, high school came. I took a class named “music technology” and I instantly fell in love with that class as I learned to record music, create beats, and learn basic music theory. I then saved up enough money to buy my own equipment without any help. Through thorough research, piece by piece, I was able to build a very cheap studio to record my own instruments and started to record music at home as a hobby. Without any lessons, I was able to build up my skills and eventually learn more and more techniques that I incorporate into my music today.
In high school, my main goal was then to achieve high grades in order to give myself an opportunity to actually learn music as the real deal. I then graduated high school as a valedictorian, having the opportunity to go to a college in Washington State named Pacific Lutheran University to pursue music and business. Indeed, it was the best year of learning what I loved to do, learning as much as I can for the opportunity I gave myself. However, the gloomy weather and circumstances made me homesick, so I left Pacific Lutheran University. I then moved to the University of Hawaii and switched my majors from music to civil engineering. As I was in school for civil engineering, it did not give me as much joy, and regretted this decision of moving until today. As a result, I created a TikTok account, where I ended up sharing my music just to keep my passion alive.
When I was at the University of Hawaii, I really wanted to give myself another opportunity to move away from home (Hawai’i). I then worked a full-time job while being in school full-time to raise funds for my music and potentially transfer to another school. One day, an opportunity came by where I was offered to move to Las Vegas, so I applied to the University of Nevada in Las Vegas. At the same time, I was gaining attention on TikTok because of my music. Until this day, I continue to make music to keep my passion alive. Anyways, as I finally earned enough money, I was accepted into UNLV, so I moved away from home. Now that I am at UNLV, I am finishing up my Civil Engineering degree. I then intend to go back to my first love; music school, after graduation. Here I am today, not knowing what the future holds. However, I always think of the regret of letting go of my music scholarships. But everything happens for a reason, I will one-day study music once again while continuing to inspire others through my platforms. That is my goal.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
My music journey has not been a smooth road. This is purely because I feel like I had to do everything myself in terms of music. The only gateway that I had was my first guitar. Being young, money was always a problem as I hated to ask for money for music. Somehow, I was able to create my studio piece by piece. The second challenge was then the learning curve on how to record music and create them with quality.
Another struggle that I had to go through was the regret of letting go of music school. This regret made me very depressed as I let go of the opportunity that I created for myself. Furthermore, buying equipment was always a struggle because quality music equipment was not cheap. I just told myself that this is an investment to myself and that it would be worth it in the long run. As I gain traction on my platforms, it relieves me because that just means that I am inspiring others through my music.
My final struggle currently is to find time for music. Engineering school is a very difficult task, and it takes up most of my time in my day. With homework, quizzes, and exams, I rarely have time for music. I wish there was more time in a day.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a creator on TikTok, and I create music. I usually do live loops and covers and bring nostalgia to my audience as I play the music that they have not heard in a while. I believe that I am not super amazing at what I do and do not shine brighter among others, but I am really grateful for the opportunity to inspire others with my stories and music. The thing I am most proud of is that I at least touched one person’s heart through my music. Also, how far I have come considering the fact that I am self-taught.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
In the next 5-10 years, I hope to become a bigger artist than what I am today. 5-10 years is a really long time from now, but I hope that in those years, I will be singing my songs on stage along with wonderful people. Most importantly, to see the people who listen to my music in front of that stage singing along with me. It would be great to stand in front of all these people who supports my music in a sea of phone lights.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tiktok.com/@ikhrysster
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ikhrysster
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/khrysster
