Today we’d like to introduce you to Colangelo Tolbert II.
Colangelo, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I first started my musical journey in Dallas when I started to learn how to play the saxophone in middle school. As a child, I’ve always been an innovator & always viewed the world from a creative point of view and joining band at the time was the perfect challenge to apply myself to. I often isolated myself from the social norms of my peers to focus on the infinite possibilities in music. By the time I reached high school, I attended David W. Carter & stayed invested in band & JROTC. Between my 4 years there, those two programs helped reinforce my upbringings to become a productive young man. By my senior year of high school, I was within the top 10% of the graduating class, I earned the positions of Drum Major of the marching band, Battalion Commander of the JROTC Unit, and learned how to play the Oboe and Bassoon in addition to the saxophone. After graduating High School, I applied to Prairie View A&M University and auditioned to the university’s musical ensembles including The Marching Storm, Jazz ensembles, Symphonic band, & Orchestra earning several scholarships that paid for my education during my college career. I’ve played and performed on behalf of the university all around the country by playing several instruments, leading The Marching Storm as a prolific Category 5 Drum Major, and performing exceptionally well academically. I’ve joined both Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America to uplift fellow musicians & Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. to uplift and become a role model for the children in my community. I’ve graduated from PVAMU in December of 2021 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music & a minor in Communications. Since graduation, I’ve launched two companies: Tipsence Fragrances & Tip Tolbert Music. I’ve also launched my Tip Tolbert Music Scholarship fund where I reward hard-working musicians in high school with scholarship money to purchase anything they would need to help advance their musical career. Currently, I am a teacher in Houston ISD working with the special needs children & music clinician to students here in Houston.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My ongoing journey has been everything but smooth. There have been times when I’ve lacked motivation, lost friends and confidence. There have been times when I didn’t think my efforts were working. Often times I believed I lost purpose and fell into a slight depression. The things that kept me afloat were my belief in God and several poems like Mother to Son by Langston Hughes, If by Rudyard Kipling, & Invictus by William Ernest Henley.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a musician and entrepreneur. Outside from teaching, I play saxophone at several venues and special events and I sell premium fragrances like incense sticks, travel sprays and body rollers. I’m most proud of the versatility and quality of my work whether I’m performing or selling fragrances. What sets me apart from others is my adaptability no matter the environment I will thrive.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I define success as a collection of accomplishments that leaves a lasting impression. If my accomplishments helps inspire the future to do their best, that makes my success worthwhile.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://linktr.ee/Coltolthe2
Image Credits:
Desmun Dangerfield M. CD
