The intent of this Statement is to formally express an interest in attending Full Sail University for the sole purpose of attaining a Masters Degree in Business Entertainment. This investment would allow me to delve deeper into the entertainment world, be able to network, have a better understanding of laws associated with entertainment, teach me the how to’s of the business side, work with new technologies, and accomplish my goal of developing my own production company. The education process is essential to the development of my future business goals and the process in which one run’s a company. I firmly believe that with my experience and the education, I can efficiently accomplish the goal I set forth for myself.
In the my early days as a child I had the experiences of a lifetime as I watched my father perform with the greatest latin orchestras in New York City. He would take me with him to watch his performances and introduce me to some of the legends in the genre. At any given time I would be with the likes of: Tito Puente, Ray Barretto, Eddie Palmieri, Buffatique, and Alfredito. I would tap on the tables as the rhythms would make me want to dance. My mother, on the other hand, worked for a record cover company and handled the accounts of RCA Victor, Sony, Columbia, and PolyGram Records. She would bring home many of the recording artist records so that we could hear them before distribution. I sampled artist such as: The Beatles, Santana, Ella Fitzgerald, Pink Floyd, Theolonious Monk, and The Longines Symphonette Society to name a few. I began mimicking what I heard on the records as a drummer at the age of seven and began my musical journey.
In middle school I would join the stage band and become the drummer. We would win the contest for the best middle school band two years in a row and play for the Mayor of New York City. Outside of school, my brothers and I were already performing in front big crowds for community functions and independent gigs. More of the same continued in high school with the difference that now my father would take me to perform with him on stage. I would play small percussive instruments like maracas and guiro. It was now time to leave home and go to college.
In college, I began working on an education degree to become a teacher. I didn’t want to take a gamble on just trying to perform and not have a steady income. I took classes at the conservatory of music as an independent student while working on my bachelors degree. It was overwhelming sometimes in that I would have to carry too many credits at one time. One semester I carried 22 credits and had to dropout of a class. I was also doing work study and working at a family restaurant. I was the starting shortstop on the baseball team my other love. Needless to say, I hurt myself by doing so many things at one time and it hurt me academically. Later on I would prove to myself that I could do top notch work in my education classes receiving a G.P.A. of 3.87 while working on my Masters Degree in education as I was working full-time as an Athletic Director. The undergraduate college experience would prove to be an asset as we would perform at many different colleges and universities in the midwest. I took independent vocal lessons and became a member of the concert choir. Enjoying the likes of Brahms, Scarlatti, Beethoven, and Mozart, while singing in Latin, German, Spanish, Italian, and French which became an enjoyable and satisfying experience.
I would begin my professional musician career in Los Angeles California working for the best Latin Jazz and Salsa Orchestras. This would lead me to Hollywood where I would begin working as a Sideliner at many of the major studios including: Sony, Burbank Studios, Warner Bros, Paramount, Saban, HBO, and Universal. I would work with artist like: Heather Locklear on “Melrose Place”, Richard Dreyfuss and Eric Roberts on “Lansky”, Vanessa Williams and Chyenne on “Dance with Me”, and many, many, more. I created and recorded the rumba on the movie “Lanky.” It was an incredible ride for a kid from Brooklyn.
At the same time I was teaching classes and working with student athletes at the schools where I would get hired. I now have thirty-two years of experience as a Professional Musician, Bandleader, and Musical Director. I also have thirty years as a School Teacher and Athletic Director. The fun is only beginning!
Since 2012 I have been creating and developing projects under the company name of “Clear Dreams Productions.” This is essentially an extension of my many years of experience in entertainment and education. I am the leader of the Latin Jazz and Jazz group “Proyecto TimbaWáh.” We perform at many Jazz Concert Series in the Westchester and the Northern Hudson Valley area. I am also working on three scripts, two show productions looking at a perspective of the origins of latin music, a behavior modification DVD series for intercity school children, five elementary children’s books, a how to book with a DVD of the fundamentals of latin music, a drummers need to exercise book, eighteen songs for recording purposes, and songs for movies. It is essential that I learn more in the way of technology.
In order to continue to create I must have a better understanding of what is offered to simplify the different aspects of my business. Whether it be networking, communicating via social media, aiding in marketing purposes, strategically and efficiently managing time, and production of top level productions, technology is an important part of doing this course work. My technology experience is with excel, powerpoint, word, Logic Pro, and PA Systems. An understanding of basic camera functions, recording, mixing and final process, podcast, radio station boards, etc. would help in the process. Also, understanding the business aspect as far as management and directing a group of individuals. The laws that are involved in business. Profit and not for profit entities and 501b’s etc. The availabilities of grants, loans, donations, and other types of funding and how to acquire them is a must.
I’m looking forward to the fact that the teachers like to communicate with their students. In many online programs all too many times there’s not much feedback from the teachers. Being a thirty year veteran teacher myself, and one who has been an adjunct professor, I would definitely take advantage of having dialogue with a colleague. It would behoove me to do so to extract as much information as possible from them.
The online experience is a difficult one and one that requires focus and attention to detail. As I explained earlier in my letter, I’ve already proved to myself that I can get this done with a heavy schedule. My work schedule is nowhere as congested as it was in the past. I work as a substitute teacher now and can take days off when I need to. It’s actually the perfect time to take classes. I have no doubt that I can do well in this program.
I am extremely excited on committing to Full Sail University for the purpose of attaining my Masters Degree in Entertainment Business. It allows me to dream of the possibilities of one day accomplishing my goal of owning and developing a state of the art production company. It further gives me the opportunity to continue in the creative process, and see my productions come to fruition. I am looking forward to working hard and using the information I receive to giving my family a better way of life.
Robert Molina's Mastery Journal 