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From Student to Maestro: The Journey of Moises Llanes
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When classical music plays in a baby's nursery, does it really make a difference? For Moises Llanes, those early moments with Beethoven and Brahms symphonies resonating through his crib shaped a lifelong passion that would transform orchestral education in the Rio Grande Valley.
This captivating conversation reveals how a businessman father with an eighth-grade education made a pivotal decision to expose his children to classical music and piano lessons, creating the foundation for Moises's remarkable 37-year teaching career. "I just feel at home listening and playing classical music," Llanes shares, reflecting on those formative experiences that gave him both purpose and direction from an astonishingly young age.
Llanes takes us through his journey from student violinist to celebrated educator, highlighting a watershed moment when, as a high school student, he recognized a critical gap in orchestral education - the lack of music literacy. This insight became the cornerstone of his teaching philosophy, creating generations of independent musicians who could truly understand music rather than merely memorize finger positions. "You don't have to figure it out, you just have to read it," became his mantra, empowering students to explore music confidently on their own.
The conversation delves into Llanes's collegiate years, cultural identity challenges, and the resilience that carried him through financial hardships when his father's business collapsed. Despite briefly retiring in 2022, his passion for music education drew him back to the classroom at Lorenzo de Zavala Middle School, where he continues making an impact. His parting wisdom for aspiring educators resonates powerfully: "If you're not going to do it 110%, especially teaching, don't do it at all."
Subscribe now to hear more inspiring stories from the musical community of the Rio Grande Valley, where passion, perseverance, and cultural heritage create a unique symphony of experiences.
Chapters
1. From Student to Maestro: The Journey of Moises Llanes (00:00:00)
2. Meet Moises Llanes (00:00:19)
3. Early Musical Influences (00:05:17)
4. Musical Education Journey (00:12:24)
5. Family Background and Values (00:20:43)
6. College Years and Career Path (00:30:15)
7. Teaching Philosophy and Success (00:39:13)
8. Career Challenges and Life Lessons (00:47:30)
18 episodes
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