I’ll try and keep the story to just the important parts.

I was born in the Dominican Republic to Cuban parents; I don’t remember much of my time there but I feel connected to the island and love my home. When I was 5, we moved to Miami, where I grew up my whole childhood until I was 18, when I moved away for college.

My parents were strict about most things. As most parents do, I was expected to bring home great grades and to eventually become a doctor, lawyer, or something my dad considered would bring good income and be useful to society. We didn’t grow up with money and my family’s never been rich: to have De Feria blood running through your veins means that you’re born to fight for something — whether it’s yourself, the people around you, those in need, or the world as a whole. I was always told that if you wanted to be something, then be it — Go do that thing you claim you want to do for the rest of your life and show me why I should believe you’re serious about it because otherwise, I can’t support you.

I was always a bit of an outcast and up until my sophomore year in high school, I was an extremely awkward, lonely, and quiet kid. I remember the first two weeks of high school when I ate by myself behind the courtyard stage because I couldn’t find the balls to put myself out there and make new friends. Over time, I learned to adapt and do away with all of that to become and more well-rounded and confident person…I started to learn that if I let my own fears keep me down, the world would eat my ass up.

When I was 11, my parents gave me a keyboard for Christmas, and that’s where I slowly learned I had not an inclination, but a gift for music. As if I’d known my entire life, I began to play songs on the keyboard entirely by ear and with no training whatsoever, at that point. I didn’t know what keys I was playing or why they sounded how they did, but I knew they matched what I heard in my head and eventually, I was playing anything I wanted to by ear.

I got so excited by the feelings of pure passion and raw energy that I’ve always gotten when I create music, so I had to keep learning. I met an amazing woman names Cristy who trained me classically on the piano, as well as teaching me to read, write, arrange, compose, and produce my own pieces. As I got even older, she helped me learn about the business of music and the game I’d have to commit to if I wanted to do this forever like I preached to her that I would. She was and continues to be such an important part of my life and is someone I consider the best of friends — if you’re reading this Cristy, I love you and the work we continue to do; you’ve turned me into a much smarter man, and a beast of an artist.

Right now, I’m in my bed, just happy to be alive and where I’m at. This is a long journey that’s constantly full of ups and downs, peaks and letdowns, and lessons to be learned. Every day, I feel I’m a better person than I was yesterday and I’ll continue on that path and with this mindset until my skin wrinkles and my nerves begin to fade.

Be grateful for the life you lead, learn from yourself and those around you, and wake up tomorrow a better person — every day.