How did you get involved with ZUMIX?
My first involvement was just coming to some ZUMIX events, probably about 10 years ago. I remember going to summer concerts in Piers Park, and I played piano for a live yoga event at the Firehouse. And I came to the inaugural ZUMIX Radio block party. When I first moved to Haynes Street, Nick Grondin and Laura Macias, who were both ZUMIX instructors then, lived right across the street. I’d be playing my guitar on my stoop, and I’d see Nick heading to work at ZUMIX with his guitar.
How did you learn about Walk for Music?
I’m pretty sure I saw one of the first Walks for Music after it moved to East Boston. I saw it in passing, and I thought it was cool. I was tapping into the neighborhood, trying to see what things were available here.
The Walk reminded me of a ritual I saw on a trip to Nicaragua. On Sundays, the local school bands march through the streets as part of their practice. It’s a wave of music and energy coming down from the mountainside. That energy – being in the streets together, playing music–is such a cool community ritual. Even though they do it regularly, the parents and neighbors still show up on the street to watch. The community still appreciates it.
What led you to ZUMIX summer concerts?
After learning about ZUMIX, I would always check the job postings here, and then promptly disqualify myself, because I’m not a music teacher with a degree. But I always appreciated and admired what has been happening here.
I started helping with summer concerts a few years ago. I had helped organize our block party on Haynes Street, and we hired a Z-Tech student, Jesse Ramos, one year to run our sound. I was asked to help organize other ZUMIX events, and I’ve just been saying yes since then – happily!
Tell us about your involvement with Walk for Music.
I’ve tried to help with Walk for Music as all staff members do: trying to raise money, trying to connect people I know who are aware of ZUMIX but haven’t been donors before. I’ve been part of the committee, and I’ve helped with promotion in the neighborhood.
On the day of the Walk, I’m really focused on helping with the summer concert in Piers Park. So I’ve never done the actual walk, but the energy is awesome. I get to see the beginning at the Firehouse and the end, when everybody marches into Piers Park.
Do you have a favorite Walk for Music memory?
The energy coming into Piers Park at the end with A Trike Called Funk is really cool. It can be super hot, but there’s some serious enthusiasm. If you’re in the park, you can see the whole ZUMIX crew coming in the distance. One year, we had a group dance session going on before the concert kicked off – that was really cool to see.
What’s special about Walk for Music?
I think the literal, physical nature of it – bringing our students and our community outside of the building – really showcases what we do. It introduces ZUMIX to people who might not know about us. There’s something different about moving throughout the neighborhood together. The actual, physical show of a group with a good cause and a common goal is really powerful.
The peer-to-peer fundraising is also great. It’s not just about asking a few big donors for a lot of money. Anyone can participate, and anyone can raise money. We get to do a sales pitch for this thing we love. It’s like selling Girl Scout cookies, but way cooler. It epitomizes part of our mission – empowering young people. It’s not only adults advocating for youth. It’s the youth advocating in their own words, in their own way, providing an example of why people should care about supporting us.
We also know we can’t always depend on school systems to provide the experience ZUMIX offers. Music is a therapeutic, healing thing for people, whether they play music or not. Even if schools do have funding for a music class, we provide a lot more than just music classes, and I think the proof is in the pudding over the last 34 years.
Why do you Walk for Music?
Because I believe that what we do matters. Music matters.
Brian Burke is the events coordinator at ZUMIX and a local artist and musician. Donate to his Walk for Music page here!