Support RJ: an artist trying to get back on his feet again

Hello, I'm R.J.

Nice to meet you.

I am an Artist, specializing in music performance & audio production, born/raised in Los Angeles CA and currently living in Brooklyn NYC.

I am a multi-instrumentalist, audio engineer, writer, illustrator/painter, and music teacher. I have over 20 years of self-taught experience in the arts, and I graduated in 2020 from SAE Institute of Audio Technology (Audio Engineer diploma).

As an audio engineer, I am honored to share/utilize my abilities and talents in audio production to create an enjoyable immersive experience for the audience. As a music teacher, I love being able to share my love of music and pass it along to the next generations through fun and engaging educational environments.

Between 2017-2024 I had a steady job of teaching music to preschool children in schools throughout New York City, employed by an independent music education company. Due to the Department of Health & Education shutting down one of the main schools in which my supervising teacher worked at, which severely affected the business, and in March 2024 I was unfortunately let go from this job.

At the same time, between 2021-2024 I was working a steady job as a sound engineer for a major Christian church in the city, and due to budget cuts to the audio department, and in March 2024 (the same week I lost the kids teaching job), I was unfortunately let go from this line of work as well.

I went from working towards repairing and reestablishing my financial safety net (which is damaged nearly beyond repair due to crippling debt), to it being reduced to shambles in less than a week.

I have been attempting desperately to find better, more stable work with little to no success. I have over 2 decades of experience in various fields, and yet it is nearly impossible to get my foot into the door, let alone through it.

I've been acquiring to preschools throughout the city, but not many are hiring independent teachers due to budget/funding cuts. I have been able to get small odd-jobs in audio (a recording session here, a one-off live sound engineer gig there) these last couple months, but I've been unable to set up something stable and strong enough to hold on to.

I've reached the point where I can't sustain myself financially and afford basic needs without aid.

So after some self reflection, and discussion with family/friends, I've decided to start this GoFundMe to ask for help.

At the very least to help me get through the next couple months.

My key priority goal is to find part-time/full-time work by either the end of this month (May 2025) or within the next month (June), and get me back to financial stability. My next goal is to continue building my independent music and art material via social media. I have a YouTube channel and would like to focus on creating content of my music and art, but I've been unable to pursue this due to having to focus entirely on getting myself out of financial hardship.

I have so much I want to create and share with everyone, but I can't achieve this under this unrelenting weight of financial hardship.

I appreciate all/any help, and I hope you have a nice day.