Meet Jc Torrealba | Music Producer / Audio Engineer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jc Torrealba and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi JC, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
That’s a deep question, and as a musician and producer, you probably feel the ups and downs more than most. The answer depends on a few things:

Passion vs. Obligation – Do you still love making music, or does it feel like a chore? If you still feel the spark, it might be worth pushing through the struggles.

Progress & Growth – Are you seeing any signs of improvement, even small ones? Sometimes success is slow, but steady progress means you’re moving in the right direction.

External Validation vs. Internal Drive – Are you making music for others or for yourself? If you love what you create, don’t let outside noise dictate your path.

Financial & Mental Well-being – If making music is draining you financially or mentally to the point where it affects your quality of life, a break or pivot might be necessary.

Alternative Approaches – Maybe instead of giving up, you just need to switch things up—try a new genre, collaborate with different artists, or explore different roles in the industry (like sync licensing, ghost production, or teaching).

At the end of the day, there’s no shame in adjusting your path, but if music is in your DNA, you’ll likely find a way to keep going, even if it looks different than you first imagined.

What’s your take on it? Have you ever felt like giving up?

Another way to look at it is: Detach from the outcome and focus on the process.

Instead of asking, “Should I keep going or give up?”, shift the mindset to “How can I make this sustainable and fulfilling?”

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Since I was young, I dreamed of being an artist, performing concerts with my own music. At 16, I moved to Alexandria, Virginia, to finish high school while also studying classical piano with Rosa Kerg Mang. Later, I attended Berklee College of Music in Boston.

After that, I returned to Venezuela, full of dreams, only to see life gradually challenge them. But I was always determined that music was the most important thing in my life. The goals I had set for myself didn’t always come to fruition, but new opportunities appeared. Instead of having my own band, I became a musician for many bands. Instead of performing concerts as a solo artist, I toured as a musician for many artists. This experience helped me grow as a musician and gave me valuable industry knowledge.

I became involved in many recording sessions until one day, my father gave me a big opportunity—he asked me to produce an album for him. That led to me producing the last 12 albums of his career, which helped me build a reputation and led me to a career I had never considered: music production.

In 1996, I moved back to the United States, settling in Miami, where I worked as a pianist for several years, mostly playing jazz standards. One day, I got the opportunity to compose music for Sony Entertainment, which led to several years of working with them. From there, my career took another turn, and I started composing for Discovery Channel, HBO, Animal Planet, People & Arts, AXN, and NBC, among others.

This experience not only strengthened my musical skills but also deepened my knowledge of audio engineering. That eventually led me to my current role—working for NBC/Telemundo as a Senior Audio Engineer for over nine years. Today, I continue to work in both fields as a music producer and an audio engineer.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Honestly, I’d probably be the worst person for a tour because I don’t have a very active social life. I don’t like being in crowded places unless I’m enjoying a concert. I do love restaurants, especially steak and Italian food. If you’re ever in the Fort Lauderdale area on a weekend, there’s a good chance you’ll find me out enjoying a meal.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’m one of those who believe that no one makes it on their own. There are always people who help us in different ways along our journey. I’ve been lucky to have influential people in my career, starting with my father, Juan Vicente Torrealba. Besides being a well-known Songwriter/Composer Hap Player musician in Venezuela and Latin America, he was also my first music teacher, introducing me to the Venezuelan harp at the age of five.

As time went on, I had other important mentors, like my piano teacher Gerry Weil. Attending Berklee College of Music was a crucial step in my career. And, of course, my biggest support and the most important person in my life has been my wife Thais, who has always given me her unconditional support. believing in my talent

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