Georgina “Gina” Maldonado had so many musical and performing interests that she couldn’t decide which one to pursue at the expense of the others. So she earned three associate degrees in Cedar Valley College’s Commercial Music program: Performing Musician, Recording Technology and Arranger/Composer/Copyist.
“It was pretty crazy,” she says of her time at Cedar Valley (she earned her three degrees in May 2007). “I took 25 to 27 credits every semester and had to have a special permit to register each time. Working on three associate degrees at once, I was taking vocal lessons, piano, choir, music theory and recording technology.
“I knew I wanted to be involved in music since I can remember. After I graduated from high school, I performed with a Latin band for about eight years, as lead singer of Gina and DZ3. We toured and I was making a living making music, but after a while, I figured I needed a college degree. I thought, ‘I want a backup plan for when I’m old and ugly and can’t be in front of the microphone or camera anymore.’ When I found out about Cedar Valley’s music program, I wanted to go there.
“I thought Cedar Valley’s program was perfect for me. The education there was awesome. The teachers are so professional — they’re all professional musicians and know the industry. And they’re so talented too. The teachers and students have a personal relationship; everybody knows each other and helps each other.”
Today, Gina runs SMPTE Studio in her home; does sound system rentals, engineering and lighting for JAR Audio and Lighting; and performs on- and off-camera work, music for commercials and infomercials as well as video editing for DigiTechnology as a freelancer in both English and Spanish. Her on-camera work has included commercials for Honda and Estee Lauder perfume. Several members of her former band are enrolled in Cedar Valley College’s Commercial Music program.
“My education gave me experience,” she says. “Now I know what I’m talking about in the music industry, and I’m not just a performer. I have knowledge that nobody’s going to take away from me.”
For Gina Maldonado, it all began here.