Happy Friday everyone... and HAPPY SUMMER! Ive gotten a few messages in my page inbox inquiring about upcoming performances. Ive got some news to share that can be good or bad depending on how you look at it. I decided to become a professional violinist, recording artist, singer-songwriter and composer after I saw a Yanni concert featuring Karen Briggs in the 90s, and for fifteen years after some struggles at the beginning of the new millennium, I made a career out of doing it for a living, culminating with a four year stint on tour as Karens understudy with Benise. However, nearly losing my father to a heart attack and stroke a year ago today made me examine my life choices. Im lucky to still have him. Dad has always said: Your talents are for sale, but you are not for sale. Anyone who has ever tried to make a living in the music industry knows how hard it can be, and many times I felt I was selling out or selling myself short just so I could get exposure, pay bills, or get my name out. Since opening up in 2012 about being gay to my fans (whereas before I was only out to my friends and family), I knew that the me I was portraying as a performer wasnt the truest version of myself. Once I continued on this emotional and psychological path, I knew that the music I wrote needed to be more honest, but it also meant that I couldnt keep channeling an old version of myself, which began to limit the opportunities I pursued or received as a performer. At least for the time being, I wont be pursuing a career as a performing musician. Im blessed to be friends with a lot of you in real life and those of you already know that I underwent a transition from being a part-time dog walker into full-time work as a dog trainer during the middle of last year. This business venture of mine has become a passion and career that has given me so many rewards beyond just financial compensation and applause, which for a time was enough, but as Ive grown older, Ive begun desiring more out of life. The feeling I get from working with dogs on a daily basis rewarding on a different level from performing onstage. After a show ends, the high is over, and being on tour can be stressful and difficult because its the same show over and over, but after a day of working with animals, I feel fulfilled and ready for the next day and what new challenges it will bring. I feel alive again. Im happier than Ive ever been! In addition, this new chapter has inspired new levels of creativity and honesty that ensure that I will continue to write songs that portray who I really am on the inside, and I know that at some point, Ill share them with you all, but this is goodbye for now, at least from the violin version of Omar. Love you all.
Posted on: Fri, 23 May 2014 14:58:03 +0000
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