Alan Llavore | Office of Marketing and Communications | (909) 537-5007 | allavore@csusb.edu
For Gabriel “Gabe” Orozco, a career in music suddenly felt a lot more real when he stepped onto one of the most famous stages in the world.
The Cal State San Bernardino music student made his Hollywood Bowl debut July 10-12 as part of “Music from the Films of Wes Anderson,” marking his first professional singing engagement — and giving the rising senior an up-close look at what it takes to turn years of training into a career.
“Stepping out on such an iconic stage was definitely nerve-racking, to say the least,” Orozco said. “Many legendary performers have stepped out onto that stage before me, and for me to take my first steps towards my career on not just any stage, but the Hollywood Bowl, was definitely a memory I will cherish forever.”
The immersive concert celebrated filmmaker Wes Anderson’s 30-year filmography through live music, film clips and performances by his longtime musical collaborators. Orozco performed as part of a tenor and bass choir assembled by Lesley Leighton, CSUSB professor of music and director of choral activities, after the Los Angeles Philharmonic reached out to her for the performances.
Orozco wasn’t the only Coyote onstage. CSUSB students and alumni Brady Omar, Adam Arroyo, Jorge Sanchez, Rogelio Resendiz and Cristian Alonzo also performed as part of the choir.
For Orozco, however, some of the most valuable lessons happened away from the spotlight. Behind the scenes, the experience gave Orozco his first look at the realities of working on a large-scale professional production.
“There were definitely a few moments that didn't go as planned or as well as I wanted them to for sure,” he said. “However, this was one of those moments where I learned the importance of being flexible and being able to adapt to the unpredictability of things. Looking back, I think those moments were just as valuable, if not more so, to my experience and to my growth as the more positive ones.”
Working alongside professional musicians and artists also gave Orozco the chance to observe people already building the kind of careers he hopes to pursue. He came away with lessons about flexibility, confidence and networking — and a better understanding of what professional musicianship looks like beyond the performance itself.
“Many of these people are actively doing what I want to do in the future so being able to meet and learn from them was a valuable experience,” he said.
When it was time to perform, Orozco said his Hollywood Bowl debut also gave him a chance to see how his years at CSUSB translated to a professional setting.
“Through my training and the opportunities I’ve had to perform at CSUSB, I was able to build my confidence and feel vocally prepared for a performance of that scale,” he said.
He credited Stacey Fraser, acclaimed soprano and professor of music, for helping him develop as a vocalist and Leighton for giving him the opportunity to make his professional debut.
Fraser has watched that development firsthand — both in the rehearsal room and, sometimes, through the language of soccer.
“Gabe is a fantastic student who continues to hone his craft as a singer and actor. He jumps in feet first and is always up for a challenge,” Fraser said. “Gabe is also a talented soccer player, and we make analogies to the game in almost every rehearsal. He’s a singing athlete with great discipline, and I’m so excited for his career in opera and performance!”
Leighton has seen another side of Orozco’s growth during his years in the CSUSB Chamber Singers: his emergence as a leader.
“Gabe has been a leader in the CSUSB Chamber Singers since sophomore year. He leads vocally in the tenor section, but also in his demeanor, his seriousness, his preparedness, and his dedication to singing,” Leighton said. “It is due to all of these things coupled with the progress he has made vocally with his teacher, my colleague, Dr. Stacey Fraser, that made him ready for this professional opportunity with Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl this past July.”
And once Orozco arrived at the Hollywood Bowl, Leighton saw those same qualities carry over to the professional stage.
“And as always, even though it was his first professional gig and he was amidst people with many years more experience, he was able to shine and help vocally lead others in his section for the Wes Anderson concerts,” she said. “I'm looking forward to seeing him have a very bright future in singing!”
Three years ago, Orozco arrived at CSUSB still discovering what he could do as a singer. This summer, he walked onto the Hollywood Bowl stage as a professional.
“Reaching this milestone means so much to me as I have been working hard and training for moments like these throughout my entire time here at CSUSB,” Orozco said. “I came in not knowing much, and seeing my progress over these past three years, leading all the way up to this milestone, it honestly just doesn't feel real.”
And after hearing the cheers of a Hollywood Bowl audience, Orozco is already looking toward what comes next.
“This is a huge step forward for me and for the career I hope to build, and I hope that it is only the beginning of many more opportunities to come,” he said. “I'll continue to work hard and make the most of every opportunity that comes my way.”