Ari Joshua Exclusive Interview – Empowering Music, Enriching Lives

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Ari Joshua was recently interviewed by TheCelebrity.Online Magazine and below is the Q&A session we had with Ari.

Ari Joshua As Cover Story Interview – March 2026 Magazine Edition

How do you introduce yourself?

Today we share an exclusive interview with Ari Joshua, guitarist, composer, educator, and entrepreneur with roots spread across the United States and overseas. He is the founder and CEO of The Music Factory Music School and Music Factory Records. For nearly twenty years his mission has been to develop systems to navigate the music industry in ways that support both his own art and the art of others, and to help people of all ages grow through music by connecting students with passionate teachers who are also active performing and recording artists.

Childhood to Adulthood Transition?

Music, in the form of playing an instrument, entered my life around the age of 7. My folks wouldn’t get me a guitar, but they bought an old piano. I took lessons, but I wanted to play my own music and rebelled against formal instruction. I stopped playing music until about age 12, all the while building a massive tape and record collection. At age twelve I got a guitar out of the back of a magazine called The Terminator, and quickly music became the center of everything I loved. It became an escape. It was therapeutic. My best friends all played music, and concerts replaced sports events. I was fortunate to attend Roosevelt High School in Seattle, where the jazz program pushed me to take music seriously. That led to scholarships to Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers and later studies at The New School in New York City. Those years were transformative and put me in close proximity to incredible musicians who helped shape my path. Both my classmates and teachers were world class. Right out of college I formed a few bands, each one I was certain was destined for greatness. The music industry changed a lot during that time period, and as I became an adult giving back and finding balance became more and more important.

Struggle – What hardships have you gone through in life?

Any long journey in the arts comes with obstacles. Most artists choose the path for reasons they spend a lifetime unpacking. Starting and sustaining a business for over a decade has meant navigating thousands of challenges. The pandemic was a major one, but we were able to keep about ninety percent of our lessons going by moving online quickly. That moment showed how resilient our teachers, staff, and community really are. My folks got divorced when I was young, and I was never really the same after that. It hurt me and my family tremendously, and it’s no mystery that music filled a lot of holes in my heart while also giving me access to joy and stability. I think that is part of why I am so passionate about kids and teens, and really everyone, learning a bit of music. It really saves lives. It makes life better.

What Makes You Unique?

I live in multiple worlds. I’m a working musician releasing records and collaborating with artists, while also running a music school and building a family. That combination allows me to experience the richness of life. Each mode feeds the other ones. When I was younger I really went after my dreams. I was full throttle. I practiced day and night. I used to listen to all the motivational talks by masterful people out there. I have been doing this for about 30 years now, maybe more. There are so many ups and downs in these worlds. I’ve had wonderful highs, and I keep learning from the lows and getting back up. I feel like I have a lot to offer both as a business owner and as an artist and coach. I want to help people and make people’s lives better in any way I can. When I really get to play music, that is what I truly do. But I also learned there are a lot of complexities and dynamics at play in this world. I guess you can say when the world gives you oranges you make orange juice, and when you get lemons you make lemonade.

What do people usually not know about you?

People see the recordings and collaborations but don’t realize how much time I have dedicated to practicing, developing the craft, and to education and mentorship. Teaching and building community through music has always been just as important to me as performing. My big secret is that I wish I was in more bands and had more active collaborations. Working with others in a collaborative spirit is my jam. I love it. If you want to discover things about me that people don’t know, listen to my catalog. You will hear rock, jazz, hip hop, and experimental sounds. When I listen and close my eyes I can feel and hear it. My soul is in there.

What Sets You Apart From the Rest?

For the school, The Music Factory was built around the idea that teachers should be active artists. Our faculty are professional musicians who perform and record. Students are learning directly from people who are living the craft. For the label, the connecting element is the truth. I want to make music that is an expression of truth.

What are your upcoming major events?

Last year was all about touring and putting out music. This year has been more focused on The Music Factory’s programs. We are opening new horizons through online lessons so students who cannot travel to our Seattle location can still work with our faculty.

Food Preferences and Physical Attributes?

I tend to keep things simple. Music itself is a lifestyle, and creativity requires taking care of both mind and body, but I also like to get some greasy fast food from time to time. I have a 6 year old in my life who loves that stuff, so sometimes I’ll indulge. I used to frequent the tennis courts and the gym, but it has been a slower year.

Love Life and Family?

Family and close relationships are incredibly important to me. Building a strong community at the school has always felt like an extension of that idea. The teachers, staff, and students have become a kind of extended family over the years. I am engaged and have a 6 year old in my life. In many ways the family experience is incredibly powerful and transformative. I feel very lucky to have love in my life. My extended family is spread across the globe and I wish we could all be closer. I really miss my family who live far away. The family that lives near me are amazingly supportive.

What expert advice would you like to give?

Follow curiosity. Follow your heart. Learn to trust your intuition and stay persistent. The arts require patience and discipline, but the reward is a lifetime of creative discovery. Whether you are learning an instrument or building a business, progress happens through consistent small steps over time. Focus on what you can offer those around you. Be prepared to sacrifice a bit, whether that means sacrificing time, reinvesting resources, or working through difficult periods to build something meaningful. I offer one-on-one coaching and mentorships. I can help with a lot, but I can’t answer everything in one shot. I need specific information in order to give useful advice.