Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabriel Vanaver.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was born in New York. My mother is a dancer and my father, a musician. Together they created a world music and dance company called The Vanaver Caravan (vanavercaravan.org) – collecting, performing, sharing and teaching folk-dance and music from around the world.
Growing up in this environment afforded me a perspective richly steeped in culture. Wherever we would go, my parents would collect new songs and dances to share with the world. Their mission is to spread the importance of culture – to celebrate our differences as a way to unite us.
Stories are inherent in the folk arts. Every song has a story and every dance enacts a tale. From my experience, there isn’t much art that is created “just for fun.” So I grew up connecting to culture through these stories; learning the importance and values that these cultures hold.
As a teenager, I began playing guitar, writing lyrics and performing slam poetry under the name Gah-bé. I would write about my philosophies of life and work through my process of my human experience. I traveled and performed all over the United States, finally making my way to Boulder, CO where I attended Naropa University and obtained a double bachelor’s degree in Music and Traditional Eastern Arts with a concentration in Yoga.
Since I was a child, I loved storybooks. I was inspired by all of them. From Dr. Suess to Chris Van Allsburg, to all the colorful imaginative stories that I could get my hands on. I decided at a young age that I would one day write a storybook of my own.
When hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, I awoke to the fact that there will be many incidents’ throughout our lives that could change our course. And we have to find the inner strength and agency to rise above and ensure our futures.
I began to develop this story about a little fish that is encapsulated by a water spirit in a birdlike bubble of water. The little fish is then shown the life cycle of a hurricane and all that adapts to this change. It is a story of gaining perspective and adapting to the obstacles life throws at us. And so the story of Water Wings was born.
Given my background, I decided to combine my passions for the arts. I figured out a way to spin the story into song that would sing the story to you while the reader turned the pages.
In 2017 I started my company, Water Wings Productions, and got to work on my dream production – Water Wings: a musical storybook experience. I hired my dear friend and marvelous artist, Katherine Breen, and I enlisted an all-star cast of musicians to enact the tale with their own arrangements. These musicians include members of Elephant Revival (Dango Rose, Bridget Law & Darren Garvey), Grammy-nominated blues musician Guy Davis, The Super Saturated Sugar Strings, Xerephine, and The Front Range Strings.
A few years down the road, I ran a successful Kickstarter to produce this dream project of mine. And now, I am proud and ready to share it with the world.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Given the magnitude of this project, there were many hurdles to jump over. Like, how will I convey this unusual format to my audience? This is a unique experience and therefore a unique market. How do I convince someone to try something they have never tried before? How can I get this book in the hands of all those that would enjoy it?
As a multidisciplinary artist, the creative directing part was easy. I had a clear vision, I wrote the music, I drew my vision for the storyboard, and I conveyed my vision to the artists and musicians. All of that was executed smoothly. There was definitely a little inner work I had to do in letting go of my original precise vision and trusting my team. But what they came up with was immensely better than what I ever could have done on my own.
However, starting a business and selling my book has been my biggest challenge. Artists make the worst capitalists (or the best) I haven’t quite hacked that part yet (lol.) And now, through this pandemic, people aren’t shopping at stores anymore so I must solely rely on online marketing.
Many people have come to me saying how this story has deeply affected their lives. And how important of a story it is in today’s world. My challenge is marketing this experience to reach the people that need to hear this story.
Through this whole journey, there has been one constant. And that is my passion and belief that – this story is needed in this world.
Water Wings Productions – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Water Wings Productions is a multimedia company specializing in musical storytelling. We focus on creating quality entertainment that everyone can enjoy. By working with renowned musicians and artists, we strive to entertain not only the kids but the adults as well.
We focus on impactful storytelling that helps prepare the youth for this ever-changing world. We strive to ignite a thirst for critical thinking and creativity in our readers in order to illuminate the possibility of our evolution or adaptation to life in the world today.
Water Wings Productions – Multimedia for a visionary generation.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is walking my own impassioned path.
In my professional realm, I think success is reaching my audience; having a positive impact on the world through my work. I have made an incredibly high-quality book and musical. But if no one knows about it, then what is the point?
In my personal development, success happens on a day to day basis. Sometimes getting through the day is success. Other times it is learning a song or finishing a story or poem.
In relating to the world, success can look like – communicating my needs saliently to everyone around me.
Through all of these forms of successes. There is one constant, and that is the quality of engagement; having the will to engage with the lively energy around me. If this quality is absent, there is no possibility of success. Because isn’t that the point? To live an impassioned life?
Pricing:
- Water Wings Book & Music is $25
- Learn The Music: Learn the Music of Water Wings – Piano, Guitar, Voice $20
- Water Wings Book, Music Book, Music Download bundle is $40
Contact Info:
- Website: waterwingsproductions.com
- Phone: 8454431858
- Email: waterwingsproduction@gmail.com
- Instagram: @waterwingproductions
- Facebook: facebook.com/waterwingsproductions
Image Credit:
Gabriel Vanaver Headshot by Diana Sabreen Photography
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