One of our favorite things about music is the time it creates for togetherness. Listening and playing together gives us experiences we share as if we’re one, over time that can turn into relationships, friendships, trust, and treasured memories.
At ACG, we believe in the transformative power of music. We have witnessed firsthand how music can transcend boundaries, touch hearts, and make a positive impact in people’s lives. Click here to learn more about supporting ACG.
This week, we had the opportunity to connect with an inspiring young man, Xavier Eric Briones.
Eric is a high school senior, he’s an ACG Javier Niño scholarship recipient who was just accepted into all four music schools where he applied, and he already has so much to teach us all!
We met Eric in our AISD public school programs but prior to this, he was already dabbling in teaching himself how to play the guitar, and a multitude of other instruments. He grew up in a low-income household and had to learn some difficult lessons early on in his youth. He shares,
“Guitar came to me as a mere coincidence through school. As time went on I took it seriously 2 years ago. What really brought me to it, was the love for music and how much I could express myself with it. Playing as if I was performing felt amazing, and the strive to get better kept me going. Although, I had no teacher so I was self taught and I ended up just giving up on guitar as a dream goal until I met my guitar director, Ms.Meredith, who helped me develop the goal to continue it as a career. Although I come from a really low income household, I worked hard to get to where I am now.
I grew up as a “delinquent,” and overall a “bad kid.” I didn’t have much guidance in life for a long time. From doing things I shouldn’t have done as a kid to getting in a position where I have a legal record, I overcame a lot of stuff in life. I was able to keep going, because of the desire to help my family one day.
I always had a lot of people tell me I would do horrible in life, and I love to prove people wrong. I grew up homeless. I was born on the street, from house hopping to house hopping. I’m grateful to God and my mother for working so hard to get to where we are today. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be able to get to this point in my life. As a juvenile delinquent, no matter where you are in life, and what your status is. You can do right in the world, as long as you put your mind to it and DO IT. Don’t just say it.. DO IT. It’s all in the mind, and the drive to do great things.”
Eric has a deep compassion for community and people who don’t have the privilege of financial freedom, mentorship, or opportunities. He has a passion for bringing people together, bringing people up, and inspiring them to push through adversity the way he did. He shared a beautiful sentiment,
“The guitar provides great opportunities to help students who really love music no matter the circumstances. I want to use this instrument to make an impact on the world and eventually help people who face struggles through music therapy. Because no matter what you have going on, you can still make it far in the world with the right guidance, and I believe, I can provide that guidance and support. I want the world to know, I won’t see them as a regular person I have to work with, but as family and someone you can talk to, for guidance.
I learned early on that I love to help people but when I realized I could do it with music, it inspired me. My goal is to make an impact. My future with guitar and plans in life is very simple, to make an impact on the world and upcoming generations of people. I don’t care about being the best guitarist, or musician. Simply to be the best leader I can be and an inspiration to others in the world.”
Eric is already doing amazing things within our community. Just this year, he began working with several students from our Juvenile Justice Long Term Engagement program. In fact, he performed with them in their very first public performance just earlier this week! Their ensemble is called the VITA Quartet. Eric shares more about this work,
“I saw VITA or also known as JJE Education Group, because I came across an email from the subscription ACG Email Website, with something about Juvenile Justice Education Guitar Group, being highlighted. With having a criminal background myself, it sparked my interest because I want to make an impact with people in my community that I relate to and who may not see what the future can bring.
So I joined VITA/JJE, as a mentor, to give the kids guidance, and hope to show them that there are options out there to do good in the world and make it far. Of course I also teach them the basics of guitar.
The concert earlier this week went great. And when the South Austin Guitar Ensemble played after us, two of the students I sat next to loved to see how great musicians can be and it was wonderful seeing the students so focused and nervous at the concert because it shows how much they care about it. These kids seriously love music, and it was awesome to see them super into it.”
Looking forward, Eric plans on attending the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida in the Fall to study Music Therapy and potentially double major in Music Education.
“I don’t plan to retire from this path until I’m unable to walk. The feelings that drive all of this are love and passion.”
We’re so grateful to connect with such talented people in our community and continue to create beautiful music and experiences with them. And we look forward to sharing more stories like these with you!
Over the past decade, we have been privileged to create and sustain Texas’ first and only daily, for-credit performing arts course for young people incarcerated in the Juvenile Justice system. Learn more about ACG Education and our Juvenile Justice programs here.