Local Girl Pursues Music Career

For local resident Cristina Quinones, music is in her DNA.

The 19-year-old singer grew up in the Alpharetta/Johns Creek area, attending New Prospect Elementary and Webb Bridge Middle School before becoming home schooled so she could have the flexibility to focus on her career more fully.

Quinones is currently pursuing a career in the music industry. But as much of an uphill climb as it is, she wouldn't trade it for anything and even has some advice for other young aspiring artists in the area.

Here's what Quinones told Patch when we caught up with her recently:

Patch: Tell us a little bit how long you've been singing and what got you started?

Cristina: Well, as far back as I can remember, I've been singing. Since I was three years old, my mother has always told me, "you came out singing." I just really loved to imitate songs from Disney movies.

P: How did your background and growing up in the local area inspire this part of you?

C: Coming from a multi-cultural family of musicians, dancers, artists you could say it just brought out what I was best at. Also, growing up in Alpharetta and joining in all the plays in school chorus gave me a wider arena, then watching the kids reactions to my voice inspired me to do more. Let me also say that if it wasn’t for Mrs. Peggy Still-Johnson and her music school giving me the tools to better understand the technical part of singing, I would have not been as good as I am today.

P: Looking back, can you tell us how all of this past history has brought you to the point of pursuing a career in the music industry?

C: Wow! Just thinking about looking back is a lot of history - at least a good 10 years. Even though I am just 19, I've done a lot so far. I knew at the age of 10 that I wanted to get into the music industry. My parents got in contact with a producer and I experienced my first recording studio. I thought it would be so cool.

P: What kinds of work have you been doing to further your career?

C: I'm always working on my vocals and keeping them polished. I write songs on a constant basis and I keep myself updated as to what is in and what is out in the music industry.

P: What are your goals, where do you hope to find yourself in the next five to 10 years?

C: My goal, or dream as I would like to call it, is to stand in front of a crowd of thousands of screaming fans at Madison Square Garden! Best of all, my biggest dream is to be on my favorite show ever "The Ellen Show." I love that woman, she’s my idol. Also have to say, I hope to be an established singing and songwriting artist, with a couple of Grammys under my belt. 

P: Advice for other aspiring artists?

C: If any one of you are serious about pursuing a music career and you're just a kid, understand you will be sacrificing a lot of fun time and have very few true friends. Most of all, be sure to have your parents and family behind you 100 percent. Don’t let others out there tell you otherwise. Your parents will be the ones who will put up their money and their time. This is no joke, it’s a lot of hard work - work that you will appreciate when you see your own creation develop.

To learn more about Quinones or listen to her music, subscribe to her channel on YouTube, like her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter.