Musician and artist, Erik Estrada, is currently a senior at Canyon High School. Erik has attended Canyon for all four years of high school and has been active in Canyon’s Marching Band as a low brass co-section leader, wind ensemble, and jazz. As low brass co-section leader, Estrada assists in preparing players for the marching band’s show, such as learning music and drill.
Estrada explained that being in band brought out his intrinsic motivation and taught him how to be disciplined and determined, especially when he joined Canyon’s Winter Drumline, which was entirely new.
“I owe it to my friend Joel Abundez and my teacher Mr. De La Vega, who cultivated my growth socially and musically. Being the senior section leader, my friend Joel was surreal.”
Mr. De La Vega has been Estrada’s teacher for almost four years and says, “He’s better because he put in the effort and work. He’s a dedicated person. He’s awesome.”
As Estrada is approaching the end of senior year, he advises future senior students to “value every week, month, and year no matter how bad. There will always be a lesson to learn.”
After high school, Estrada’s plans are to attend College of the Canyons and study graphic and multimedia designs in order to further connect with the art scene. “I am very fortunate to be right around the corner from CalArts and Burbank, which host a variety of art avenues,” Estrada stated.
Outside of school, Estrada is a devoted artist, doing traditional and digital art. He began drawing when he was 4 years old and would draw characters from the video games his brother would play like “Angry Birds” and “Plants vs. Zombies.”
“Being able to draw whatever you want is a freeing thing that everyone should try out, no matter what level you’re at.”
Estrada’s biggest inspirations are artists Jamie Hewlett, Robert Valley, and Michael Lau. Hewlett is the artist for the band Gorillaz, and Estrada says, “His attention to detail is impeccable.” Estrada grabs Valley’s silhouette style, and his use of gradients and sharp edges in clothes and skin.
Estrada’s biggest inspiration is Michael Lau because of his mixed media style. He says Lau “traverses well stylized art to physically sculpted works of art in his figurine lines.”
Estrada advises aspiring artists to study different styles of art to create their own: “Make it so your teachers can tell it’s your paper without even having your name written down.”
Support Erik by following his art account @urbanvails on Instagram!
