CABARRUS COUNTY, N.C. — The gift of music is something Gabriel Bello feels blessed to have.
What You Need To Know
The Arts and Science Council recently awarded nearly $200,000 to over 120 artists from across the region for 2022
Gabriel Bello was one of the recipients that plans to use his money to build a recording studio in Cabarrus County
Bello’s plan is to launch his studio and provide it free of charge to ministries, schools and up and coming artists in the county
“I’ve been singing for as long as I’ve been alive just about,” he said. “Flute since I was 11, saxophone since I was 13, so I’m a few years away from playing saxophone 30 years, which sometimes I’m like, 'I should be way better.'”
It’s hard to believe that doubt, however, once you hear him play.
Bello’s journey through music has been quite the ride, starting with a cancer diagnosis at age 19.
“I was actually in college for music when I was diagnosed, so I actually had to drop out of college to start treatment,” he said.
After surviving Stage 2 Hodgkins disease, Bello went on to work in ministry. He then jumped into the music industry where he put out an album that went number one on the jazz Billboard charts.
“My first album that went number one on Billboard was recorded mostly in a bedroom,” he said.
With decades of musical experience, Bello now has plans to build his own music studio out in Cabarrus County.
“I don’t know of any legit recording studios in Concord,” he said. “There’s about three or four legit studios that people know about in Charlotte.”
He began putting his designs on paper back in 2020, and soon, the Arts and Science Council awarded Bello over $5,000 to lay concrete for his studio.”
“It’s because of that grant that I’m able to even get to this point,” he said.
Then in December 2021, he was awarded another $3,000 from the ASC that will help with framing materials.
“This is a unique project, and it’s not kind of a one-and-done,” he said. “This is something that will be continuing and pouring into our community.”
Bello’s plan is to launch his studios and provide it free of charge to ministries, schools and up-and-coming artists in the county.
“I’m trying to do this as a ministry and a service to the community,” he said.
Bello is excited to share his gift of music with others right here in his community.
Bello is hoping to have his studio finished and ready for use by this spring.
You can view the complete list of ASC grant recipients by clicking here.