Antonio de Haro arrived to Los Angeles a few weeks ago with a suitcase and a guitar. For the next few weeks, Antonio will be taking English classes at ELC. But when he’s not in class, Antonio spends his time writing and composing music. For the past six years, he has been touring the country with Pablo Alboran, a famous Spanish singer. To find out what Antonio’s plans are after ELC, read on!
Almeria, Spain. In the south of Spain. I travel a lot and live in Murcia. In this city I studied music composition. It’s near Almeria. The teacher is so good!
I started playing music when I was four years old, starting with piano. My uncle gave me a Casio piano as a present and I remember taking the piano and it was so easy for me, like it was natural for me. My father played drums and my grandfather played trumpet and accordion. My father played pop music and recorded music in ‘82. I studied piano for ten years in Almeria and composition in Badajoz.
I also studied classical music, and now my job is to play bass for a famous singer in Spain, Pablo Alboran. I’ve played with him for six years and tour with him. I even played with him in LA in November!
I played my first concert with Pablo in 2010 in Malaga in Teatro Echegaray… and whoa!! It gives me goosebumps when I think of it. My first time with him, as soon as he started playing and singing, I knew that someday he would be very famous. And I was right. It was amazing.
I want to study music for film, and I need to speak English to be able to speak with directors and producers. LA is the best city for the movie industry. In my speaking class, I have a Spanish friend whose husband is a producer for film. So, maybe I’ll get lucky. I got lucky before!
Los Angeles is so big. My experience in LA has been different from what I expected. My expectation was that there were many people in the industry. I thought I would study English and compose music, but it has really been a life experience, too. LA is so different from Spain. I miss the food all the time, I miss the lifestyle. Here, everything is early. By 6 PM here it is night, in Spain that is early.
My favorite teachers at ELC are Carmen and Charles. Charles reminds me of my grandfather because I think he’s a good man and has a kind face. And his energy. And Carmen has told me she lived in Madrid for a long time, so I can relate to her.
Have patience, especially during your first week. The first week for me was very difficult.. I felt homesick.
Right now, I am composing music for a short film in Murcia, in the city where I studied. It is a competition. I am hoping to win! I only have two months to compose and I have been working on this in the evenings. But I work hard, so I think it’s possible! After ELC, I’ll go to Panama to tour again.
Speak with people who do not share your native language. Read a book in English and watch movies in English.
