Talented musician leaves Colombia to create in America

Juan Pablo Acosta rankled his parents when he left home to attend Southwestern College. He not only left home, he left his town, his state, his nation, his continent and his hemisphere.

But he never left his dream.

Acosta graduated from high school in his native Colombia and without saying a word to his parents, obtained a U.S. student visa, boarded a jet and flew to el norte. After three generations of lawyers, the idea of a performing artist did not thrill his mom and dad.

“My parents did not agree with me at first,” said Acosta. “But I told them that it was my dream and I did not want to stay in Colombia. They will always be the number one critics and the people that I always want to impress.”

Acosta — J.P. to his friends — said it was his padre’s fault that he became a musician.

“When I was five I fell in love the instant I saw my father play the guitar,” he said. “It was so beautiful that it just felt right.”

Afterward, he said, he could not think of anything else besides mastering that guitar.

“Everyone has a purpose,” said Acosta. “I have the privilege and the gift of being a tool from which music can flow.”

Music is a feeling, he said, an image and a bond that draws people together.

“It is beautiful when music stops being just mine and my song becomes your song,” he said. “Music is just so beautiful.”

Acosta said he came to America because of this country’s broad array of musical styles. Colombia is corrupt, he said, and he sought a more level playing field.

Acosta has worked with Colombian based Intui Sounds Studios owned by Juan Pablo Guzaman, his closest friend. Together they recorded his first single called “Believe and Fly.” Acosta has also collaborated with the Governor of Guam, Eddie Calvo, by creating and singing the music for Calvo’s political campaign.

Acosta was accepted to Berklee College of Music in Boston, one of the planet’s most prestigious music colleges. Soon after receiving the good news, however, Acosta said he realized he could not afford to go.

“It was frustrating because I did not have the money,” he said. “Since I was little, I always wanted to go to Berklee, but I felt good with myself because I made it and not a lot of people can say that.”

Acosta said he was recently accepted on scholarship to the Musician´s Institute in Los Angeles.

One of the many skills Acosta has is beat boxing and it earned him a spot in SWC’s Jazz and Vocal Ensemble conducted by Tracy Burklund.

“He is is an important Jazz and Vocal Emsemble member,” she said. “J.P. is a multi-talented student and he loves music, you can definitely tell.”

Assistant director William “B.J.” Robinson is also an Acosta fan.

“J.P.’s personality matches his beat,” said Robinson. “His energy and creativity make his music stand out. He is definitely unique. J.P. is a dancing kind of guy and I think you hear that in his music.”

Robinson said music is not an easy field.

“You have to have a right formula to make it,” he said. “J.P. is on his way to put it together and find the right formula for him.”