Finding Confidence Through Music

Tiana Arriaga, a sophomore and member of her band 'Hey Hot-Line,' can still clearly recall the rush of stepping off stage after their most recent performance. Even though the show wasn’t perfect, the energy of playing together and hearing the crowd made the moment unforgettable.

Stepping away from the stage lights, she reflected on what the night meant to her.

“I feel amazing and so proud of my band,” she says. “Even though it wasn’t flawless, I’m pleased with what we did, and even taking that initial step is significant. Many people never make it that far.”

For Tiana, performing is about expressing who she is rather than just playing notes. She calls herself "a really authentic, outgoing person" and says that music helps her express that side of herself. 

"I love being myself and doing what I love," she says.

That belief keeps her going, even on bad days.

"I really think I'm meant to make music," she states. "I'm really motivated by it, and even in difficult situations, I keep in mind that music is infinite and abstract. That's primarily what sustains me."

However, there have been difficulties along the way. Tiana acknowledges that one of the most challenging aspects of being an artist is self-doubt. 

"Releasing music is scary, and it's easy to feel like nothing is good enough." 

She's discovered that overcoming that fear is a necessary component of development. 

"You have to overcome that fear to grow, and you have to know that someone out there will love what you do."

Tiana handles her anxiety differently. She talks herself through it, reminding herself why she’s there.

"Everyone says this, but slowing my breathing actually helps," she says, " tell myself this is exactly where I want to be, and once I’m confident, everything else is gonna follow."

Tiana also finds strength in the artists she looks up to. One of her biggest inspirations is Doechii.  

"Lowkey, Doechii inspires me," she says.  "A few years ago, she was struggling financially, but she didn’t let anything stop her, and now she has a Grammy within just a few years of her being a musician," she says. 

Seeing someone overcome that kind of hardship makes Tiana feel like her own goals are possible.