Wagner: Where Are They Now? An interview with Tom Cintula

Wagner College, SOUL Joel’s Alma matter, has been instrumental in launching his career in entertainment and hiring Soul Joel Productions for entertainment for various student and alumni events. What better way to give back to his Alma mater than to periodically spotlight fellow Wagner College Alumni on The Comedy Point’s website. This week The Comedy Point is proud to present Tom Cintula! Check out Tom’s Band: Tom Cintula and The Buffalo 24 can be found on ReverbNation.com!

The band’s next shows in the New York area will be at in Staten Island at Adobe Blues Dec 17 @ 11pm and in Manhattan Wicked Willys Dec 28th @ 10 pm!

How did your experience at Wagner College help you with your career?

Tom:

With my current profession as a music educator and songwriter, Wagner College taught me most importantly to be a life long learner in all I pursue. My time at Wagner gave me the confidence to try new things musically that helped shape my musical path.

Do you still keep in touch with other Wagner Alumni?

Tom:

I do still work and hang with many of my friends from Wagner College. Most of the musicians I play with or have played with, I met at Wagner or through networking with Wagner friends and faculty. I am always looking to meet and play with new musicians.

What advice would you give others that are trying to break into your field?

Tom:

I always knew that I was going to be involved with music professionally and I never lost sight of that. Keep focused on what you want to do and make it happen.

When did you know that you wanted to be in the music business?

Tom:

Growing up I remember my parents constantly playing music and singing to me. Little by little the seeds were sown and one day I saw a re-run of the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show, right then it clicked. As I got a bit older I heard my uncle and his friends playing guitar and singing songs at family parties. They were very cool and patient enough to let me join in! From then on it was all about music.

What is the one thing that helped you most throughout your life?

Tom:

I am lucky enough to have had a very supportive family and they always encouraged my love of music. Through that I discovered all the things that music has to offer, comfort, joy, sadness, anger, anticipation, catharsis, etc. Music is and covers the spectrum of human emotions, so it is always there for us.

What were your biggest challenges earlier on and throughout your career?

Tom:

From an education standpoint I was very shy and nervous playing in front of people, especially my peers in music class at Wagner. But like all things, practice makes perfect and the environment at Wagner College gave me plenty of performance opportunities to become more comfortable playing in public. Now whether it is accompanying a performance with my music classes or playing a gig in the city I am able to deal with performance anxiety and make it disappear. The other thing I have to constantly battle is being my own worst critic. Over analyzing your projects will keep them from growing to full potential. So I try to keep a steady work flow and not second-guess myself as often. Go with your gut and be true to your work.

Are you happy doing what you’re doing?

Tom:

I am in a great place right now, musically speaking. Being a professional music educator is exciting and gives me ample time to continue pursuing my other lifelong passion of songwriting. Both things keep me active in music and my goal is to incorporate music into every part of my life, so it’s a great balance.