We recently spoke with a senior at Crockett High School. He performed with Crockett’s guitar ensemble at the 2019 Guitars Under the Stars, our annual education gala, and was also one of the three speakers for the event. He even has a special connection with the featured artist for the gala, Berta Rojas. We wanted to share his story with you.
Rey Rodriguez began playing guitar seven years ago as part of a pilot program at Bedichek Middle School. The first musician in his family, he quickly learned that with music, the more he gave, the more rewarding it became.
“If I respect people and show them I can work hard, they’ll present me with different opportunities, and allow me to grow as a musician.”
Rey has always appreciated the welcoming environment of his guitar class, and finds the lessons in teamwork especially valuable.
“At Crockett High, my ensemble is like a second family, my family away from home. I can tell them anything, we’re all close. The ensemble setting teaches me to work with others, and to have the discipline to work on things for the group.”
One particular experience early in his high school career had a transformative effect on his future.
In January of his freshman year, Berta Rojas came to Crockett High to give a masterclass.
“She came in and I was thinking, OK, she plays guitar, that’s not new – lots of people can play the guitar. But when she started playing, I learned that I’ve been listening to guitar wrong my whole life.”
Rey broke into a wide smile at the memory.
“Berta was very inspiring. I’d never seen such an amazing musician, and she was very kind and motivating, and really wanted to help us learn. I learned from Berta that you don’t always have to be robotic when you play, that you can express the music and still play beautifully.”
“Up until then, I had no idea music could be so expressive. I realized that’s what I wanted to do: be a solo musician.”
Asked if he was excited to talk to Berta at the gala, Rey demurred.
“I was starry-eyed over a celebrity; I doubt she remembers me.”
In the spring of 2019, Rey received a full-ride music scholarship to study guitar at University of Texas – Austin. He is especially grateful he stuck with music because of opportunities like this Saturday night, when he performed with the Crockett High School Guitar Ensemble right before Berta Rojas took the stage at Guitars Under the Stars.
“Guitar is my life, and without ACG, I don’t think I’d be as happy doing what I’m doing, and I wouldn’t be the person I am today. ACG has allowed me to achieve new heights as a musician that I would’ve never been able to reach on my own.”
