Conversations with Judy De Angelis

Today we’d like to introduce you to Judy De Angelis.

Judy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Music has been a constant part of my life for as long as I can remember. As a child, I would rummage through my dad’s record collection and was rarely seen without a pair of headphones. No one in my family was a musician, so finding my path into music wasn’t easy.
I pleaded with my parents to let me attend a public school with an orchestra program because I was determined to learn an instrument. At first, I wanted to play the violin. I still remember the day our teacher introduced the orchestra instruments and asked each student which one they wanted to play. Nearly everyone answered, “violin.” Frustrated, he exclaimed, “I can’t have an orchestra of all violins!” When it was my turn, I chose the viola. I was drawn to its deeper, richer sound. It felt unique, a reflection of my own identity.
In my early years, I was extremely shy, and performing felt intimidating. I was far more comfortable blending into an orchestra than standing center stage. I earned a scholarship for private viola lessons, but I was eventually dismissed because I was also learning guitar, which, in my teacher’s eyes, made me seem unfocused rather than multitalented. Looking back, I realize I lacked the supportive mentorship that many young musicians need. My environment was very negative, and I found it difficult to grow.
At the same time, I became obsessed with alternative rock, particularly The Smashing Pumpkins. Their creative range, emotional depth, and dynamic songwriting inspired me to think beyond traditional boundaries. They encouraged me to stay true to myself and pursue my vision of creating music with a full band.
Over the years, I made several attempts to form a band, but the timing and connections never seemed quite right. While continuing my musical journey, I also explored the visual arts, including oil painting and glassblowing. My work with molten glass inspired the name of the band, Glass Aeros. The nature of glass is transformative. It can be hot or cold, smooth or sharp, then melted down and shaped into something completely new. I saw this as a metaphor for life and emotion. Like glass, we are constantly reshaped by our experiences and the atmosphere around us. The word Aeros signifies the air and environment that influence who we become as we move through trials and challenges. Together, Glass Aeros represents the idea that growth comes through transformation, and that even life’s sharpest moments can become something beautiful.
During the pandemic, I finally had the opportunity to slow down and reflect. That period became a turning point in my life. I returned to music with renewed focus, teaching myself guitar more seriously and learning home recording techniques. The result was my debut EP, Sunset Revelations, released on February 26, 2021.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The greatest challenge in my career has been finding the right musicians to collaborate with. From the beginning, my vision was larger than a traditional singer-songwriter project. I envisioned a full band motivated to bring my compositions to life.
I believe in the “Michelangelo Effect,” the idea that the people in your support system help reveal your best self, much like Michelangelo carving a masterpiece from a block of marble. Finding those people took time.
In early 2024, I finally connected with the musicians who would become my bandmates in Glass Aeros. Jessica Jane joined on bass and cello, bringing a strong orchestral foundation and a deep understanding of music theory as she pursues her master’s degree. Drummer Tom Nagle added another essential element. His background in marching band, combined with his punk rock experience, created the perfect balance for the complex rhythms and tempo changes in our music. His versatility is a perfect match for the rhythmic force that drives the band.
Our live performances have become a unique blend of alternative rock and orchestral influences. I switch between viola and guitar while Jessica alternates between bass and cello. Together, we bring instruments rarely seen on rock stages into a modern alternative music setting.
Beyond writing and performing music, I also create the visual artwork and music videos that accompany our releases. I am currently completing a series of oil paintings for our first full-length album, Scars to Stars.
Earlier this year, we completed recording our debut album with Jacob Kirkwood at Superior Sound Studios. Jacob also produced our single, Misfit Toy Box, so we were excited to collaborate with him on our first full-length album. We are now preparing for our album release celebration on October 17, 2026, at Brother’s Lounge.

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?
Glass Aeros is the full realization of my vision for music as both a sonic and visual experience. We are a band that brings together alternative rock, orchestral textures, and visual storytelling into a unified artistic experience. The project blends alternative rock with orchestral elements, creating a sound that moves between intensity and atmosphere. I write and perform on both guitar and viola, often switching between the two within live sets. This duality reflects the core of the band itself, where classical instrumentation and rock energy exist in the same space. The project was formed from a long-standing vision to create music that feels immersive, where sound is not separate from image, emotion, or narrative, but part of a larger world.
Our debut full-length album, Scars to Stars, is the clearest expression of this vision so far. The album explores transformation as a central theme, moving through experiences of fracture, reflection, and rebirth. It is written as a collection of songs connected into an emotional arc, where each piece reflects a different stage of that journey.
Alongside the music, visual art plays an essential role in shaping the identity of Glass Aeros. I create oil paintings, visual concepts, and accompanying media that extend the world of each release beyond sound alone. With Scars to Stars, the goal has been to build a cohesive experience where the listener can engage with both the emotional and visual landscape of the work.
At its core, Glass Aeros is about transformation, not only in theme, but in process. The collaboration between musicians, the blending of instruments, and the integration of visual art all reflect the same idea, that growth often happens through contrast, and that something new can emerge from what has been broken, reshaped, and reimagined.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
As I began performing live, I found support through local open mic communities. One of the most important has been Manic Monday Open Mic, hosted by Meg Stepka of Moon Echo Garden.
Meg has created a welcoming environment that encourages newcomers to step onto the stage and develop their confidence. Although the event has moved locations over the years, it is now held at Headquarters Bar and Grill in Cleveland, Ohio and has become a home for many local musicians looking to grow their craft and connect with others.
I have also drawn inspiration from Jenna Fournier, known for her project Kid Tigrrr. She has successfully integrated her visual art and music into a cohesive creative identity, something I deeply admire. I was especially grateful for her feedback on early mixes of our album, which helped guide us through the recording process.
I have also received tremendous support from my voice teacher, Kimberly Lauritsen. Through her mentorship, I have gained a deeper understanding of what it means to be a vocalist, built confidence in my performances, and explored the emotional meaning behind my songs so I can better communicate them to an audience.
The support of mentors, collaborators, and creative communities in Cleveland has been essential in shaping my journey, helping me transform an idea that began in childhood into the immersive audio-visual work I am creating today, and continuing to grow into.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.glassaeros.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/glassaeros
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlassAeros
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF47zlBa1DuHvLKBLK6dwJw
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6Pyx9qeEAILoQ8c2ccFe9E