Living the Dream with Realtor/Rocker Janelle Alcantara

You might say Realtor Janelle Alcantara is living a double life. By day, she’s a multi-million-dollar producer for Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International. But come night, the superstar agent marches to the beat of a different drummer — literally.  

Four years ago, Alcantara decided to fulfill a bucket list fantasy: playing the drums. More precisely, playing hardcore, rock ‘n’ roll drums. We’re talking Metallica, Motörhead, Foo Fighters, Motley Crue.

“I’ve always been infatuated with drummers. They’re the backbone of the band,” she said.

Her aha moment came in 2016. Alcantara was holding an open house on Shady Bend Drive in the private school corridor. A couple walked through with their daughter.

“Clearly the woman was a mom, but she had purple and blue hair, and her daughter was totally goth. But they were the kindest, nicest people — so fun, so happy,” she said.

They invited Alcantara to join them at a party down the street. She accepted. Serendipitously, the party-throwers owned the Dallas School of Rock.

“Everyone there was just so laid back. I was like, these are my people; these are the people I should be hanging out with.”

Alcantara pitched her own daughter Sierra, then age 8, to sign up for music lessons.

“After three or four years, she finally said, ‘Mom, you realize it’s you who wants to join the School of Rock, not me.’”  

It was just the push she needed. “I was terrible at the beginning. I thought you had to be born with musical talent. But the big eyeopener is, it can be taught.”

Twice-a-week lessons paid off. Alcantara is now playing clubs with her School of Rock band mates. In addition to hard rock, their repertoire also includes other genres of music.

“When we played southern rock, we had a huge crowd — my friends and people in our demographic. Another of our sets featured bands that played Sunset Strip in the ’80s.”  

Alcantara likens drumming to playing a sport.

“It’s very physically demanding. Playing the drums involves your entire body. It takes complete focus and coordination.”

It’s also therapeutic. “There’s something comforting about the repetition; about knowing this is where the song starts, that this beat is going to continue all the way through. But then, in the middle of all that, you get to break away and do a fill.”

Rock idols include the late Taylor Hawkins and Metallica’s Lars Ulrich.

“I got to sit maybe six feet away from Lars playing drums. I could see the focus in his eyes. I’ve never witnessed anything like that, ever,” Alcantara admitted.

Still, she’s not ready to quit her day job. The common denominator between rock and real estate? Passion.

“You’re not going to be successful in real estate unless you’re dedicated. But the flexibility gives you time to pursue your dreams.”  

To catch a performance, follow the School of Rock.