Sunday, January 29, 2023
  • Advertise
  • Submit Story Idea
  • Submit Event
  • Calendar
Arlington Today Magazine
  • Home
  • Categories
    • Arlington News
    • People
    • Community
    • Commentary
    • Business and Education
    • Featured
    • Wellness
    • Scene
    • Design and Interiors
    • Uncategorized
  • Digital Editions
  • Join the Newsletter
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Categories
    • Arlington News
    • People
    • Community
    • Commentary
    • Business and Education
    • Featured
    • Wellness
    • Scene
    • Design and Interiors
    • Uncategorized
  • Digital Editions
  • Join the Newsletter
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Arlington Today Magazine

He always has a song in his heart

Esteban Blanco is living the American Dream in Arlington

Karen Gavis by Karen Gavis
April 8, 2020
in People
0 0
0
He always has a song in his heart

Costa Rica native Esteban Blanco found a home – and a prosperous life – in Arlington. (Photo: Karen Gavis)

0
SHARES
413
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Wade Family Funeral Home Oct 2020

Esteban Blanco looked over the lush, green treetops of his home in Costa Rica from the window of an airplane. The 19-year-old was headed to America and chasing his dreams. Eventually, they would bring him to Arlington.

Costa Rica native Esteban Blanco found a home – and a prosperous life – in Arlington. (Photo: Karen Gavis)

Now 41, Blanco is a board member of Metro YMCA and a member of Young Men for Arlington, as well as the Downtown Arlington Rotary Club. He also runs Blanco IT, an information technology consulting firm.

Related posts

December 3, 2022

November 2, 2022

“My official title is chief geek officer,” he says of the business which focuses on customer service and honesty.

“We are very cognizant when billing of not charging customers for anything they don’t use,” he says, adding that he’s also proud of the fact that the company doesn’t charge customers “a penny more” than what a part actually costs. A few contractors are used, when needed, but Blanco says he does much of the work himself, getting under desks, climbing ladders, bringing drills … “doing what it takes.”

Blanco learned his work ethic from his father, Oscar. However, his love for singing came from hearing his mother, Maria Isabel, sing soprano while he was growing up. Since childhood, Blanco dreamed of traveling the world and singing before large crowds.

He cut his teeth in Costa Rican dive bars. Then in 1996, while at a convention of Catholic musicians in Orlando, someone heard his impressive vocals and asked him to audition for Celebrant Singers. He did and later received a letter of acceptance saying that he needed to be in Los Angeles by a certain date.

Blanco’s dream seemed to be within grasp until he learned that each musician had to raise $3,500 to cover half of their tour expenses. He recalls telling a Celebrant representative that it was impossible before hanging up the phone.

“I went back to my room,” he says, ”and I was pretty bummed.”

Shortly afterward, Blanco’s grandmother called saying she had a ticket to LA and asked if he could use it. Blanco declined his grandmother’s offer, but then 30 minutes later, Jon  Stemkoski, the founder of Celebrant Singers, called and ended up offering to pay for Blanco’s entire tour if he could get to L.A.

”I hang up with him,” Blanco says. “And I call grandma.”

After moving to L.A. in 1997, Blanco traveled the world, performing in 24 countries and 49 states.  He recalls rehearsing 14 hours a day and reading music at night in bed with a flashlight to make sure he had his part down perfectly. While on tour with other Celebrants, a violist named Heather caught Blanco’s eye. He asked her out. She said yes, and they fell in love and were married in 2000.

After leaving the road, Heather got a teaching job with Irving ISD, and Blanco went to work as a special education aide – until the school’s superintendent learned he was computer savvy — which launched his computer tech career.

Soon after they began working at Irving ISD, the two began searching for an apartment and found themselves in Arlington.

“I saw the big sign on [State Highway] 360 that said, ‘Arlington,’ and I felt like I was entering home,” says Blanco, who hasn’t stopped dreaming. “One of my dreams is to be able to sing [the National Anthem] at the Rangers Stadium.”

Although Blanco says he isn’t “hyper-religious,” he does credit God for opening doors.

“The dream of that little boy was to sing in massive venues around the world,” he says. “And it happened.”

 

Related Posts

  • First Cars Are Always Favorites

    Arnold Petsche has been a fan of the 1937 Willys Model 37 Coupe for as…

  • Her song

    Some people have a song in their hearts. Velma Bogart recently discovered that she has…

  • UTA Helped Actor Lou Diamond Phillips Pursue His Dream

    https://youtu.be/Qrux8G861b8 UTA, City of Arlington Helped Actor Lou Diamond Phillips Pursue His Dream Celebrated actor,…

Tags: AprilEsteban Blanco
Donna J. Smiedt

Follow Us

  • But first   coffee    The Arlington Dunkin    located at 5801 Office Park Dr  today announced it will help keep the community running with a happy hour celebration offer throughout the remainder of August  Every day beginning now through Monday  August 31  guests can power through the rest of the month and receive a FREE  Medium Hot or Iced Coffee with any purchase from 2-6 PM   On behalf of local Arlington Dunkin    franchisee  Hiren Patel  Dunkin    is proud to keep Arlington running throughout the month of August
  • Nothing soothes the soul like a trip to the Majestic Smoky Mountains  Read all about the Greene family   s    COVID-cation    and travel safety in the link in our bio
  • Read the latest message from UTA   s interim president  Teik C  Lim  by clicking the link in our bio
  • The City of Arlington announces Unity Council  Read all about this positive way for the city in the link in our bio
  • Here   s to the All Stars  Click the link in our bio to find the complete list of Arlington Today   s 2020 All Star businesses in over 160 categories
  • Put DFW Restaurant week on YOUR calendar  Support your favorite Arlington and local DFW restaurants this August 31-September 6 during restaurant week    For more info and participating restaurants  click the link in our bio
  • This Arlington radio station is making movie magic   Read all about Crystal Vasquez and her upcoming documentary about local radio station     The Ticket     by clicking the link in our bio
  • With the school year starting soon  it   s important to know what   s going on  Read all about AISD and MISD   s back to school plans in the link in our bio
  • August is for the All Stars        Click the link in our bio to read our latest edition of Arlington Today and check out your local All  Star businesses
  • 12 Mighty Orphans: There’s a fascinating ‘story behind the story’ regarding this fine film

    12 Mighty Orphans: There’s a fascinating ‘story behind the story’ regarding this fine film

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • March Scene

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • The Visionary Who Didn’t Give Up

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Boot-scootin’ Boogie

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • In case of emergency: Mansfield Fire Department introduces the ‘Vial of Life’ initiative to keep residents on the ready

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
Arlington Today Magazine

Arlington Texas Area News and Events Magazine

Follow us on social media:

Recent News

  • (no title)
  • (no title)
  • (no title)

Category

  • Arlington News
  • Business and Education
  • Commentary
  • Community
  • Design and Interiors
  • Featured
  • People
  • Scene
  • Sports
  • Uncategorized
  • Wellness

Recent News

January 18, 2023

January 18, 2023
  • Advertise
  • Submit Story Idea
  • Submit Event
  • Calendar

© 2022 Arlington Today - Designed by Advent Trinity Marketing Agency Web Design

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Categories
    • Arlington News
    • Community
    • People
    • Commentary
    • Business and Education
    • Featured
    • Wellness
    • Scene
    • Design and Interiors
  • Digital Editions
  • Join the Newsletter
  • Contact Us

© 2022 Arlington Today - Designed by Advent Trinity Marketing Agency Web Design

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add Arlington Today Magazine to your Homescreen!

Add