MARIO LOPEZ: Everything always seems to work out

Company and Title: Billings Symphony, Executive Director 

Hometown: Born in Caracas, Venezuela – Raised in West Palm Beach, Florida 

Education and/or Background: Bachelor’s degree in music performance from Lynn University and master’s studies in music performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. 

If you couldn’t do this, what would you do instead? I would be involved with an organization assisting children or families in need. I have been on the giving end many times and have witnessed the impact it has on people in dire situations. It does not take much to share a portion of your blessings with families that have nothing. 

What other passions/callings are part of your life? I have a passion for consulting and coaching. Everyone needs a champion and a mentor to guide them through different stages in their profession. I have been fortunate to have had multiple mentors make an impact in my life, so I have taken it upon myself to be a beacon of light for people seeking advice and guidance. 

What is the worst advice you’ve received and why? Time heals. This statement is passive as it is frequently interpreted as “Wait, you will eventually feel better.” Healing requires understanding the source, figuring out what remedy is required, and being consistent addressing the source to make certain it heals properly. If nothing is done to the wound, time will only make an infection grow.

What advice would you give a teenager about success? Do not compare yourself to others. Everyone has a different end goal with unique obstacles. What success looks like for one person may be very different than what it looks like for you. Success can also be measured in many ways. The most important question you need to ask is, “Are my current plans and strategies getting me closer to reaching my goals?”

What’s your guilty pleasure? Nutella!

What is one professional accomplishment you still want to achieve? I would love to be a consultant at some point in my career. I believe in the importance of having access to the performing arts. With my passion and experience as a musician and administrator, I can provide strategies that will identify gaps, provide solutions, and keep the arts relevant.

How do you measure your own success? Being my hardest critic, acknowledging success has not always been easy. I used to have more of an “all-or-nothing” type of mindset, realizing that opportunities to feel proud or accomplished occurred very little. I understood that micro goals, even to the smallest degree, play an important role in staying motivated to continue the pursuit of the overall goal. Celebrating and acknowledging micro goals have allowed me to measure my road to success.

What failure have you learned the most from? In 2012, I went through a very hard time in my life due to an injury that ended my career as a performing musician. At the time, this translated as the biggest failure of my life; losing the ability to do what I love. I endured the next few years soul searching. I understood the importance of finding a route that would provide a sense of purpose while matching my skill set. I now know that this “failure” was the biggest opportunity of my life. I took full advantage of the situation by conducting multiple self-reflections which helped me uncover strengths I was not aware I possessed. In 2012, I never imagined myself as an Executive Director of a symphony orchestra. This “failure” gave me the opportunity to grow. I am grateful I never gave up.

What is the hardest part of your job? Making tough decisions while dealing with the pressures of leadership and unpredictability. No two days are the same. Leading an organization to success requires non-stop efforts, enjoying the victories while staying alert for the unexpected.

What was the last show you binge-watched? I am consistently binge watching "The Office." In my opinion, it is the most re-watchable show ever.

What is your favorite book? "Oh, the Places You’ll Go!" by Dr. Seuss. This book is pure gold. It is brilliantly written for all ages. Oh, the Places You’ll Go! has the power to provide self-reflection. The most amazing thing about this book is that you can receive different reflections during different seasons of your life, making it invaluable and useful for a lifetime.

What is the most rewarding/important aspect of your occupation? I am honored to be in a position where I can establish a vision, implement change, create opportunities, and enrich my community. I enjoy making connections and partnering with like-minded organizations and individuals. When people work together, the results are extraordinary.

Who is your greatest mentor/inspiration? I have had many great influences in my life, from family and friends to professors and colleagues. The three people that come to mind are Harry Spyker (middle school band teacher), Carolyn Destito (high school private teacher), and Randy Gardner (graduate horn professor). These mentors played a pivotal role in my musical career. They were all instrumental in providing tools needed to get me to the next stage of my career. Although they are very different people who provided specific skills, they all taught me skills above and beyond music. I was equipped with skills on how to be a successful individual.

Do you have a motto that you live by? Everything happens for a reason. I believe that you will receive what is meant for you to receive at the time you are meant to receive it. Sometimes we do not understand why life takes us along different paths, but everything always seems to work out.

What advice would you give to anyone wanting to start a new business or excel in a business or field? Do not let your goals and ambition blind you from reality. Be realistic, do your research, set attainable goals, and be consistent.

How do you view failure and success? Success is not linear. Failure is not planned. However, failure is what sometimes happens on the way to success. Failure is our biggest indicator of a wrong decision, allowing us to adjust our trajectory to success.

What do you do for fun/relax/hobby? I enjoy traveling, going on road trips, and spending time with friends and family. I am also a foodie and a little bit of a coffee snob.

What’s the greatest gift you ever received? Why? My family. I am a proud husband and father. No matter what happens, the most consistent thing in my life is my family. Everything I do is for the betterment of my wife and daughter, my greatest gifts.