Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda da Rosa.
Amanda, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
The story worth telling starts about three years ago, when I was pushing 30, making $80k a year in Corporate America, coughing blood, and having regular panic attacks…
I’ve always been the rule follower – I got good grades, I was involved in my local Portuguese community, I got my degree right out of high school, etc. After college, in the wake of the 2008 economic downturn, finding a stable job was tough, so I started tutoring beginners in Portuguese and singing in local cover bands for side money til I figured things out. Even after settling into a career in anti-money laundering, these side jobs remained as passion projects I continued for “fun money.”
I worked in banking for about seven years, assuming the stress of office life was “normal:” doesn’t everyone hate Mondays? and traffic? and long hours? So, I kept working until my body intervened: I was on and off antidepressants, spending thousands of dollars on medical care for symptoms all rooting in my dismay for my lifestyle. I tried everything from job hunting to therapy, but I had no backup plan, and I reach a boiling point where I couldn’t handle it anymore. I quit my corporate job and took two months to recharge my batteries, assuming I could live off my savings and start fresh in the Fall. Thing is, upon returning from my time away, I didn’t have it all figured out, so I just resorted to my post-college plan: I’d keep singing and teaching until I found another job. Alas, here I am, two and a half years later, still singing and teaching outside of the cubicle.
The famous John Lennon lyrics read, “life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans,” and it took me a solid year to realize, I was not singing and teaching to wait for another career, it WAS my career! Being someone who has always functioned by expectation, it was difficult to embrace that I could support myself financially with my passions and that I had the capability to do it on my own. My journey as an entrepreneur is still a work in progress, but I am so grateful that it is my current reality. I have had the opportunity to collaborate with some of San Diego’s finest musicians, creating relationships that have changed me as a person for the better. I can help support local businesses by advertising shows, or using their spaces for my classes. I am able to bring joy to others by sharing what I love most – my culture, helping others, and music. My hope in telling my story is to inspire others to live their truth, despite your “shoulds” and “supposed tos.” No one has it all figured out, but we all deserve to be happy.
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?
No road is smooth. My personal struggles mostly involve my battle with chronic depression and anxiety – would I make enough money? Did my degree go to waste? Am I maximizing my potential? Am I capable of running my own business? Self-doubt, fear, uncertainty, and anxiety are what I’ve traded for a bi-weekly paycheck, and I have no regrets about my choice to leave my steady job.
My advice to young women is to invest time to reflect on what you want – and don’t want. “Everything ain’t for everybody.” I’ve met many people who are happy and safe in their 9-5s. I learned the hard way I am not one of them. Get to know you, what drives you, and what kind of lifestyle you want to lead. For all the logistics in between, educate and apply yourself to make it work. For me, that has been building my lack of confidence and marketing skills. I am learning to disassociate society’s gender roles, love my body and taking a chance with the unknown. I am still learning and still trying to improve because the discomfort in undertaking what intimidates me is so much better than going back to a life that made me miserable.
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I am a trilingual cover band vocalist in San Diego (Spanish, English and Portuguese). I run my own band named Puro Feeling (FB/IG: @purofeelingband) and also sit in with other local cover bands where needed, I have sung everything to Rock (Classic and Contemporary) to rap to Portuguese music (traditional and pop). Most recently, I have been hired mostly for R&B, Top 40 and Latin shows – either party bands or acoustic duos. Musically, I feel what sets me apart is my diversity. My exposure to different types of training and music projects has allowed me to offer variety in genres, and I pride myself on being able to cater to a client or venue’s needs. A band can be formed based on the budget and type of music requested. I also am very proud to be an active member of my local San Diego music community. If I can’t provide you with what you need, I will refer someone who can. It is my mission to uplift others in whichever way I am able to. Even if I don’t get the job, if I am helping the client or a fellow musician, I feel I have done my job.
The same would apply to my tutoring business. My private tutoring is catered to each student’s goals, needs, and learning styles. I try to maximize each person’s experience by being as flexible and customizable as possible. I create all of my learning materials myself, so there are no hidden fees, and I can accommodate a variety of pricing and class location options. My goal in the new year is to create virtual lessons via Skype (or similar) in order to accommodate students located outside the greater San Diego area.
Who have you been inspired by?
Presently, other female vocalists in my community have been a great source of inspiration to me. Young women such as K. Emeline, San Diego Artist of the Year Whitney Shay, and my vocal coach Carissa Schroeder all represent women that I consider trailblazers, dedicated to their purpose, progress, and passion despite doubt and hardship. They appear to be fearless in the pursuit of their own business goals but are humble enough to share their story with you. I admire those who are successful but still approachable, and I admire those who have been relentless in the search for their truth. It reminds me that it is possible to find mine.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.a-darosa.com
- Email: contact@a-darosa.com
- Instagram: @munda619
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/purofeelingband/
- Other: @purofeelingband
Image Credit:
Billy Economou
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