Nick and Sebastian chat with all-star professor Oscar Diaz about building a strong community, his legendary BBQ skills, and facing challenges head-on. They also discuss creating a supportive learning environment, the power of cooking in bringing people together, and the affordability of instruments for students. Oscar shares advice, talks about overcoming adversity, and reflects on the challenges and rewards of being a teacher.
Food plays a significant role in connecting people, building relationships, and creating memorable experiences.
Oscar Diaz is dedicated to creating a supportive and nurturing studio environment for his students, fostering a sense of community and collaboration.
Food, like music, is an international language that brings people together, and Oscar Diaz uses it to show love and care for others.
Financial assistance and affordable options for purchasing musical instruments are crucial in supporting talented students and ensuring their access to quality education.
Deep dives
The Importance of Food and Camaraderie
Food, for Oscar Diaz, is not just about the taste and flavor, it is about bringing people together and fostering camaraderie. Growing up, he experienced the power of food to unite family and friends, with barbecues and music playing a central role. For him, cooking is a therapeutic activity and an expression of care. He uses food as a way to show love and to create a sense of community, whether it's with his studio or his own family. Whether it's grilling, smoking meat, or trying new cuisines, food plays a significant role in connecting people, building relationships, and creating memorable experiences.
The Personal and Artistic Journey of Oscar Diaz
Oscar Diaz's path to becoming a trombone professor was not an easy one. He initially wanted to be a band director, and his love for teaching led him to pursue a degree in music education. However, through his experiences in college and working as a band director, he discovered his passion for performance and decided to pursue a career as a trombone professor. Oscar's journey involved studying with influential teachers and immersing himself in various musical genres. He actively seeks opportunities to grow as a musician and educator, constantly reflecting on his teaching methods and striving to provide the best education for his students.
Creating a Supportive Studio Environment
Oscar Diaz is dedicated to creating a supportive and nurturing studio environment for his students. He emphasizes the importance of camaraderie, communication, and mutual respect among his students. He encourages them to support and learn from each other, fostering a sense of community and collaboration. Oscar also considers the individual needs and aspirations of his students, helping them navigate challenges and providing guidance for their musical journeys. By instilling a strong work ethic and holding students accountable, he prepares them not only for musical success, but also for the demands of their future careers. Through his dedication, passion, and care, Oscar cultivates a studio atmosphere that inspires growth, learning, and a love for music.
The Role of Food in Connecting People
Food plays a significant role in connecting people, creating a sense of community, and fostering relationships. Oscar Diaz believes that food, like music, is an international language that brings people together. He enjoys cooking and barbecuing, seeing it as a therapeutic activity. He uses food to show love and care for others, whether it's his studio or his own family. By sharing meals and experiences, he builds connections and creates memorable moments. Oscar believes that food is a powerful tool to create camaraderie and build lasting relationships.
Importance of helping students afford instruments
The podcast episode discusses the financial challenges that students face when purchasing musical instruments. It highlights the struggle of talented students who cannot afford expensive instruments such as tenor saxophones or basses. The speaker emphasizes the importance of helping these students by finding affordable options or providing financial assistance. They share examples of dealers offering instruments in payments with no interest and how this has helped students and their parents. The episode underscores the need to support students financially to mitigate the stress and financial barriers they face in pursuing their musical education.
Overcoming vocal dystonia and seeking help
The podcast episode explores the speaker's personal experience with vocal dystonia, a condition that affects the ability to produce certain sounds while playing a musical instrument. They share how their brain gradually started shutting down some functions, forcing them to retrain their breathing and muscle coordination. The speaker explains their initial frustration and feelings of anger towards this development. However, they eventually realized the need to seek outside help, accepting that they couldn't overcome it by themselves. They emphasize the importance of finding the right mindset to allow and accept assistance and express gratitude towards their teacher who provided guidance and support during this challenging time.
Teaching a natural approach to playing an instrument
The podcast episode delves into the speaker's teaching philosophy and their focus on a natural approach to playing musical instruments, specifically the trombone. They emphasize the significance of understanding the science and physics behind playing an instrument. The speaker explains the importance of students listening to various genres and performers, highlighting the need for a well-rounded musical education. They also stress teaching students how to create a natural air column and prioritizing sound production rather than solely focusing on embouchure techniques. The episode emphasizes instilling a deeper understanding of the instrument's mechanics to help students achieve better tone and longevity in their playing.
Nick and Sebastian hang out with all-star professor Oscar Diaz of Texas A&M Kingsville and talk about how he's built such an incredible program centered around community, his legendary BBQ exploits and continuing to face one of his greatest challenges head on.
Learn more about the Trombone Retreat and upcoming festival here: linktr.ee/tromboneretreat Hosted by Sebastian Vera - @js.vera (insta) and Nick Schwartz - @basstrombone444 (insta)
Produced and edited by Sebastian Vera
Music: Firehorse: Mvt 1 - Trot by Steven Verhelst performed live by Brian Santero, Sebastian Vera and Nick Schwartz
Learn more about the Trombone Retreat and upcoming festival here: linktr.ee/tromboneretreat Hosted by Sebastian Vera - @js.vera (insta) and Nick Schwartz - @basstrombone444 (insta)
Produced and edited by Sebastian Vera
Music: Firehorse: Mvt 1 - Trot by Steven Verhelst performed live by Brian Santero, Sebastian Vera and Nick Schwartz
