WORCESTER — Berklee College of Music is a premier global music institution, but thanks to the foundation built through the Burncoat Music Magnet program and Worcester Public Schools (WPS), Jupiter Montalvo ’22 never felt out of place.
Montalvo graduated from Berklee on May 9, and will now bring technical prowess as a vocalist and instrumentalist to their future career as a music teacher. The early experiences in Worcester’s robust arts programs proved to be a central cog in Montalvo’s journey.
“I started at Worcester Arts Magnet School for elementary school,” Montalvo said. “Every week I was doing dance, theater, music, and art. That was always a big thing that WPS gave me was an arts education.”
Montalvo continued down the music magnet path through Burncoat Middle School and Burncoat High School, participating in chorus, orchestra, and jazz ensemble. They also had early teaching opportunities through Worcester UNITES, an after-school program where WPS high schoolers coach and play alongside younger students in ensemble and band performances.
“Worcester UNITES built my love not only for playing music and being a musician, but for being a music educator as well,” Montalvo said.
Montalvo’s earliest influence was former elementary music teacher Mrs. Chrysanthe Manuel. Although Mrs. Manuel has since retired, the two remain in touch today.
“(Mrs. Manuel) taught me how to sing, taught me violin, taught me everything I know,” Montalvo said. “She’s still such an important person in my life.”
Montalvo noted that accessibility was one of the most significant aspects of their time in the WPS music and arts programs. Arts and music opportunities that are often costly in other districts - a reality Montalvo discovered while student teaching in college - were available at no charge in WPS.
“I got private (music) lessons at Burncoat that were free,” Montalvo said. “If I had to pay for it, I would have been in such a different spot then I am.”
The access to music education gave Montalvo a strong foundation in performance and music theory that prepared them for Berklee. Instead of learning how to read sheet music in those early days of college, Montalvo dove into new experiences, including jazz violin and performing with rock bands as an electric violinist.
“(WPS) gave me ensemble skills, it gave me the opportunity to grow my own personal style of singing and playing, and it gave me theory skills,” Montalvo said. “It set me up in a good spot once I started college.”
That long-term foundation has ultimately translated into a profound sense of musical independence and confidence while performing and teaching.
“I still have old videos of me playing 'The Star Spangled Banner' in fifth grade on violin and seeing the freedom I have now, like the feeling of ‘I can do pretty much whatever I want on this instrument and vocally,’” Montalvo said.
As they look toward the future, Montalvo plans to teach in Spain and Taiwan and has applied to the Peace Corps. Eventually, they hope to return to a public district like the one where they started.
