An Interview With Stanley Bronstein
I’ve always believed in stepping outside the box. Growing up as a Black male in a low-income neighborhood, I faced a lot of stereotypes. I didn’t want to be an athlete or a rapper. I wanted to do something different, and playing the violin gave me that. It allowed me to stand out and show that you can do anything, no matter what you look like. Being a Black violinist has inspired others who look like me to take a chance on paths where we aren’t often seen. Even though stepping out can bring negativity, if you stay true to yourself and block out the noise, nothing can stop you.
As a part of our series about stars who are making an important social impact, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dominique Hammons.
Dominique Hammons is a dynamic Contemporary and Jazz Violinist whose musical talent is often described as a divine masterpiece. With his violin in hand, he weaves melodies that resonate deeply, leaving audiences moved and captivated by the sweetness of his music. Known for his electrifying musical covers, along with original music, his versatility allows him to blend a wide range of genres, from classical and jazz to pop, gospel, hip hop, and R&B.
Thank you so much for joining us on this interview series. Can you share with us the backstory that led you to this career path?
I started playing the violin in the fourth grade at 8 years old. The school I went to at the time offered electives like dance, theater, band, and orchestra. I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to pick, but I knew I wanted something that would challenge me. I was raised by my grandparents my entire life, and they always supported me. My grandmother suggested I try the violin. At first, I was skeptical because I worried my peers would make fun of me for playing what some people called a “girl’s instrument.” But I trusted my grandmother and decided to give it a shot.
In the beginning, it was tough because it was such a different world for me. I loved playing sports as a kid, so I never thought I would end up playing a musical instrument as a career. The violin is one of the hardest instruments to learn. There were many times when I wanted to quit, but my grandmother kept encouraging me and investing in me because she knew God had blessed me with this gift. Without my grandparents, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
My mom had me at a very young age by my dad, who was significantly older than her. Some would say I was an accident child because it wasn’t planned for me to be born, but God had other plans. My dad was never in my life. In my 31 years, I’ve only met him twice. My mother has struggled with being on the streets, in and out of jail, and with sobriety. But I never let any of that define who God wanted me to be. My grandparents took me in, raised me, and wanted the best for me no matter what I faced growing up.
My grandmother placing me on the violin changed my life. Without her, I probably would have ended up on the streets, in jail, or dead. As I kept playing through my childhood, I got really good, really fast. Being classically trained helped me learn many techniques that took my playing to another level. The violin also became a way for me to express who I am. I’ve always considered myself an introvert, so the violin became my voice.
I continued playing throughout high school and eventually graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a music degree. During high school and college, I started taking things even further. I learned how to play other genres outside of classical like jazz, hip hop, R&B, and pop. Playing different genres on the violin opened many doors because it wasn’t something you saw often at the time. I also discovered that I could play by ear, which was another sign from God that I was meant to do this. That’s when I knew my passion was in popular music.
After college, I became a full-time musician, performing at venues and private events around the world. I’m grateful that my grandparents never gave up on me and that I didn’t give up on myself. There’s still so much more I want to accomplish, and I believe this is the platform where I can continue to share the gift God gave me.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
One of the biggest mistakes I made when I was starting out was leaving all my equipment in my car while I went to eat at a restaurant. It was only about 25 minutes, but when I came back, everything was gone. My violin, speakers, mixer, and other equipment I used for shows were stolen. It wasn’t funny at the time. I was heartbroken, especially when I was told I probably wouldn’t get anything back. I started a GoFundMe and was able to raise enough to buy a new violin and some of the other equipment. Ever since then, I’ve been much more careful about where I leave my equipment.
What would you advise a young person who wants to emulate your success?
I would tell a young person to invest in themselves. Create your own lane. If there’s something you want, don’t wait for somebody else to make it happen. Find ways to go after it and keep building. I got tired of waiting for people to open doors for me. Sometimes you have to walk up and open the door yourself. Also, find ways to stand out. Step outside the box and give people something they’ve never seen. Be yourself and stay true to who you are. Nobody will believe in you more than you believe in yourself. If you believe, invest, and stay consistent, you can do anything.
Is there a person that made a profound impact on your life? Can you share a story?
My grandmother made the biggest impact on my life. Being raised by my grandparents was part of God’s plan. Without my grandmother, I wouldn’t be where I am today. She planted the seed when I was a kid, and seeing that seed grow has been nothing but God’s grace. She put me on the violin at 8 years old. Throughout my journey, she encouraged me, invested in me, and showed me what it takes to succeed. As a kid, I didn’t always understand why I had to practice every day. I wanted to do what other kids were doing, but she made sure I stayed consistent. While I was focused on what I wanted at that moment, she was focused on my future. I’ll always be grateful for her.
How are you using your success to bring goodness to the world? Can you share with us the meaningful or exciting causes you’re working on right now?
I believe my purpose is to bring people together through music. Music is a universal language that connects people from all backgrounds. God blessed me with this gift to give people an escape and bring them together. It’s a blessing to see how my music touches lives. I get messages every day from people saying my music saved their life or inspired them to chase their dreams. Everything happens for a reason, and I know God placed me here for this. I don’t take it for granted. I’ll keep sharing my music and inspiring others to be their best.
Can you share with us a story behind why you chose to take up this particular cause?
I’ve always believed in stepping outside the box. Growing up as a Black male in a low-income neighborhood, I faced a lot of stereotypes. I didn’t want to be an athlete or a rapper. I wanted to do something different, and playing the violin gave me that. It allowed me to stand out and show that you can do anything, no matter what you look like. Being a Black violinist has inspired others who look like me to take a chance on paths where we aren’t often seen. Even though stepping out can bring negativity, if you stay true to yourself and block out the noise, nothing can stop you.
Can you share with us a story about a person who was impacted by your cause?
I don’t think it’s just one person because I feel like I impact many people every day. I get messages from people all over. Some say they listen to my music during chemotherapy. Others tell me they play my music to help their newborn fall asleep. People find comfort in my music, and it makes me happy knowing I’m making a difference in their lives.
Are there three things or are there things that individuals, society, or the government can do to support you in this effort?
One big way to support me and the arts is to increase funding, especially in schools. Over time, many schools have cut arts programs because of budgets. Some people don’t think arts are necessary, but I believe they’re very important. I’ve always tried to advocate for kids to have the same chances I had. Music helps students not only artistically but academically too. We need more attention on this so kids have opportunities to develop their talents.
Why do you think music in particular has the power to create social change and create a positive impact on humanity?
Music has always been powerful when it comes to social change and helping people. During slavery, music helped slaves communicate and plan escapes. Later, during the civil rights movement, music gave people hope and brought them together. Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come” is a perfect example. Throughout history, you see how music has shaped the world. That shows just how powerful music is in creating change and helping humanity.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started”?
1 . Create your own business
2 . Invest in your craft
3 . Focus on your weaknesses
4 . Get a mentor
5 . Plan on having multiple streams of income
You’re a person of enormous influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
I would start free events and concerts for the community. I want more people to experience live music and use that to bring communities together. We don’t have enough events highlighting the arts anymore, and I think we need to bring that back. It would bring people together and create unity through music and the arts.
Can you please give us your favorite life lesson quote? And can you explain how that was relevant in your life?
I don’t have a quote, but I have a scripture from the Bible that I’ve always carried with me. Proverbs 18:16 says, “A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.” That means your gift or talent can open doors and bring you into places you never imagined. My grandmother always recited that verse to me when I was growing up. It gave me confidence to know that God blessed me with this gift, and He’ll always put me in the right place to share it.
We are blessed that some very prominent names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them.
There are a lot of people I’d love to sit down with, but if I had to pick one, it would be Jay-Z. He came from nothing and built an empire not just in music but in business too. My goal is to have multiple streams of income, not just music. Jay-Z is a businessman, and I want to become not only a musician but a businessman too.
Thank you so much for these amazing insights. This was so inspiring, and we wish you continued success!
About the Interviewer: Stanley Bronstein is an attorney, CPA, and author of more than 20 books. However, he doesn’t consider any of those his greatest achievement. His most significant accomplishment was permanently losing 225 pounds and developing the personal growth system that made it possible — The Way of Excellence. As a catalyst for change, he has dedicated his life to helping others maximize their potential, transform their lives, and achieve optimal health. To learn more, you can download a free PDF copy of his latest book, The Way of Excellence Journal, at https://TheWayOfExcellence.com.
Music Stars Making a Social Impact: Why & How Dominique Hammons Is Helping To Change Our World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.