Meet Ishmael Meza | Musician, Actor, Singer, Producer, Writer, Composer, Music Tutor & Figure Drawing Model

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ishmael Meza and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ishmael, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting my own business is simple; I know what I love doing, so I’m going to do it…and make it so I get paid to do it. I love being an artist, a producer, a musician, a singer, a writer, a tutor, an actor and a figure drawing model. I love to perform music and sing to an audience on stage. There’s no greater feeling than a positive roar of the crowd. I enjoy acting on stage too, but I’ve had much more success acting in front of a camera.

Tutoring music became a business because I found that I enjoy guiding the progress of students. I’ve taught all ages, on location and online, throughout the U.S.A. Developing the musical skills, relative to each student, humbles me as a performing musician and allows me to stay grounded. I’ve helped students land roles in musicals, film and theater. I’ve helped students in their recordings for songs and I’ve help them land representation. The success and progression of my students is the most valuable part of teaching music. My goal in tutoring is to establish a music school.

As a singer and musician, the constant growth of audience and landing big gigs such as the Cruise for the Cause and Taco Fest, allows me to continue treading the path. I’ve been able to bond and create a network with people who would seek to nuture the growth of San Diego talent. I’m not sure I can fully agree to the choosing of music as my path, I was placed there upon my birth. I never really had any thoughts of not treading the music industry.
Being the lead singer for Santana pa Ti, a local Carlos Santana tribute band, I’ve been able to play with and open for big names in the music industry, and that helps root confidence towards establishing original works, which is currently in progress.
When it comes to composing for film, I enjoy setting the emotional tonality and rhythm of the scene. I found that I have an ear for film composition and have been able to attribute some original work into local projects.

As an actor, I’ve always enjoyed touching upon the spectrum of emotional depth. I love to bring out something within myself that I didn’t know I had. I love creating an original character that an audience can gravitate towards.
Through acting and film I’ve established experience as a filmmaker and screenwriter. I love challenging actors and creating stories through their talent. I enjoy writing works that people wouldn’t expect to see. Most of all, establishing bonds and making friends with cast and crew, working with people towards a common creative goal, bringing a story to life, there’s almost nothing that can beat that feeling.

As a figure drawing model, I enjoy helping artists bring a character to life through their media. It’s always interesting to see oneself through the perspective of another.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I don’t believe any kind success that I have earned or pieces of myself that I’ve developed has been an easy journey in any way. I’ve had to work hard at developing my skill set. What was easy for me was choosing to work hard and pursue my goals. I’m not the kind of person that can sit back and relax all day besides my 9-5. I have a need to create, to express through art, to envelop myself into that world, and to understand it thoroughly. Any accolades that have been recieved because of the art that I’ve created is just what’s come with making it happen. There’s definitely a lot more for me to accomplish, and I’m relentless in my pursuit of success through the arts. By the time I turned 11 years old, I made the choice to pursue music. I heard Led Zeppelin for the first time and my career choice changed forever. The choice to pursue acting and filmmaking came after being out of college for a few months, when music wasn’t moving forward for me at that time, but acting in plays was always something I did when I was a kid.

Before I studied voice and singing at Cuyamaca College, I was an “ok” singer. I wasn’t great, not bad, but nothing special. It took me a while to understand that I was not up to par with any professional singer, especially those I wanted to emulate. When it came to choosing an instrument to major, I thought that the drums would be an obvious first choice since I’ve been playing since before I could walk. But I knew in my heart that wasn’t what let me express everything I needed to. I loved to sing, more than anything, and I needed to learn how to sing properly so I can turn my “ok” voice into something beyond that. I was so nervous about choosing the voice as my instrument, and I knew that if I didn’t, that I would never feel fulfilled, and I would end up digging a hole into my heart. So I forced myself to take that initial step, and the rest is history.

As an actor, screen writer, director, casting director, stunt coordinator, producer, sometimes editor, composer, what’s lead me to understand all of these things, is my continued pursuit of knowledge. I enjoy learning how each piece of the puzzle works because understanding each piece creates ones cohesive picture. As filmmakers it’s our obligation to the audience to bring them into the world that’s being portrayed on screen and I find it fascinating to understand how moments on screen become what we view. I always ask questions and study certain aspects to grasp that assignment I’m given or hired for.

My tenacity for gaining knowledge and success through my crafts is how I learned to do so many things on film sets, on live stages, in recording studios, and producing live shows. It’s why I have confidence in my crafts and I’m able to teach multiple instruments and aspects of the acting world.
If I didn’t love being a part of the entertainment industry, being an artist, being a part of the art community, I would’ve chosen a different path.

If I had certain things to be proud of, the most important would be the web of people I’ve connected with over the years. This industry molds relationships by throwing random people together that all have one overall task to complete, and by the time the task is done you’ve learned so much about other people and created bonds. The ability to network is key to growth.
My last 48 Hour Film Project, “Stratagem”, continued to the “Best Of” round, won Best Makeup, was nominated for Best Actor, and was chosen for the San Diego International Film Festival’s “Best of 48’s, 2022”. I’m particularly proud of that film because I wasn’t expecting it to do so well. I knew I had something good, but not something that would turn out so well that film festival producers would be emailing me about wanting my short in their festival.
I’ve played some pretty major shows these past couple of years, including; “Cruise for the Cause, 2022”, “Socal Taco Fest, 2023”, opened for Malo at “Christmas City USA, 2021”, and played “Dia de los Muertos, Old Town, 2017, 2018, and 2022.” I’ve played in venues such as House of Blues and Sycuan Casino. I’ve played many local festivals, car and motorcycle shows, and in many restaurants, bars and breweries in San Diego.
Last year I was in a film called “Why the Nativity”, which is streaming on over 25 different streaming services and was watched by over 64 million people between Thanksgiving and Christmas. That was one of the best sets I’ve been on and I’m really happy with the way it turned out. Plus on top of that, my character’s image ended up on the main poster for the film, on book covers, and on christmas cards.
And now I’m currently producing a series project called “Clarity of a Monster”, which will feature some of San Diego’s biggest names. There’s still some work to be done but the pool of talent gives me some pride knowing whatever is made will be entertaining and worth watching.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
One of my favorite places to have a beer is “Border X” in Logan Heights, they have agua fresca inspired brews that are pretty amazing, my favorite is the Bloody Saison. And they feature full latin bands (which I’ve happened to play) and good shows. “Momentos” in Grossmont Center, they have an authentic taste to their food. I recommend the cheese empenadas and the veggie platter. Their salsas are flavorful and mouthwatering. Every item they make is delicious.
For a solid burger and/or french fry plate, I recommend “Funky Fries” in El Cajon. I enjoy my hot spice, my usuals are the diablo fries with sweet potatoes, onion rings, and the veggie sandwich. They have all sorts of creative french fry plates, they make you want to try them all.
For thai food, there’s a small restaurant in El Cajon called Thai Time I really enjoy.
One half of my two dessert loves; ice cream. I happened by a place in Little Italy called “Pop Pops” one day and I was shocked at how good the ice cream was, especially with the menu of toppings. It’s a good place to visit while in Little Italy.
And speaking of Little Italy, the Crack Shack, the poutine y’all!
In downtown San Diego, there’s a dessert shop called Hey Sugar! Everything there is worth everything you own. Peach cobbler and key lime cake in a jar…I’ll leave it at that.
If you like walking the beach I have two usual places I go; Mission Beach Sunset Cliffs. Mission has a bay area and the walkway from the south end to the edge of P.B., there and back, is a good few hours. Sunset cliffs and the areas around it are always fun to tread.
If you like hiking, I recommend Cowles Mountain.
Old Town is always a fun place to shop.
I’ve visited so many parts of San Diego and I know I still have much more to explore.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Cuyamaca College deserves a Shoutout in my story. I earned two associates degrees in 2012 and 2013. The music classes that were offered there really shaped my musicianship and abilites. Esther Jordan was the most amazing singing teacher. I went from ok to great because she knew how to dig into the voice and mold it to the point that one can potentially sing in the operatic level. Taylor Smith taught many classes and helped me to understand music theory and recording. Pat Setser and Chuck Walker helped me learn the business sides of the music industry.

I’ve been singing with Santana pa Ti since 2016. Playing with this band has allowed me to perform big shows and play with a few bigger names in the music industry. Shoutout to the band for letting me be your front man.

I started acting as an adult in 2014. I auditioned for a school that I saw online called John Robert Powers. Soon after, it became Tower Talent Studio West. The staff there really nurtured their students to succeed, they believed in me. My first official acting teachers are Shewan Edward Howard and Rin Ehlers, to whom I give my credit in developing my acting. Jim Crawford, may he rest in peace, was my modeling teacher and I took in everything he had to give. Megan Tower allows me to teach classes as a music and acting teacher. She runs a fine school, and it really gave me a lot as a student.

I’ve been with Shamon Freitas since 2014, the agents there have found some big gigs for me, the biggest one being a costar in “Why the Nativity?” I’ve been able to expand my expertise and myself as a product having Shamon Freitas as my agency.

I interned for a small production company in L.A., called Dream Dynasty Creations, that allowed me to develop as a film producer, writer and casting director.

Elena de la Vega of EMX Productions has been one of my biggest supporters in music and film and continues to join me on my projects.

The bonds I’ve created throughout years of projects and the trust people have in me always helps me to progress in skill and business. There’s so many cast, crew and bandmates to name, so many credits to give out.
If you’re reading this and you feel that I should name you in this article and haven’t, know that you’re on the list and I appreciate you too.

Website: Ishmaelameza.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ishmael_a_meza/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ishmael-meza-1981a9101/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamishx/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGnRqrlvSrkzhLLFHmscjJQ

Image Credits
1) Santana pa Ti, opening for Malo at Christmas City USA, 2021 2) Urban photoshoot, 2018 3) 48HFP Best of Gala & Awards, 2022 4) BTS: Sitting in the director’s chair on the set of “Stratagem”, 2022 5) Still: “Ephemeral”, Abner meets his future selves, 2021 6) A teacher’s drawings of myself as a figure drawing model, Watts Atelier, 2022 7) Still: “UUNCHOP!”, me as Master Glare 8) Santana pa Ti, playing SoCal Taco Fest, 2023. pic by @sfindleyphotos.