At a young age, Val Abrego always loved music and dreamed of being a rock star, but they were incredibly shy and not sure they could overcome that. They began as a piano student at CMC, then joined the tuition-free Children’s Chorus, and eventually focused on private voice lessons, for which they earned a merit scholarship. Throughout their time at CMC, they had multiple opportunities to perform and take risks in a supportive environment, building up considerable confidence.
“CMC’s teachers have love when they teach and are passionate about helping students learn and progress.”
Over the course of their journey, Val discovered that songs provided a way for them to communicate even when it felt like a great risk to do so. Their studies at CMC and earning a merit scholarship helped them develop confidence in themself and in their creativity. With the support of their voice teacher, Martha Rodriguez-Salazar, Val explored a wide range of genres—R&B, opera, traditional Mexican music, pop, and more—a breadth of study unique to CMC.
In high school, Val began writing and producing their own music – drawing on the breadth of their studies to find their unique voice. Having a strong base in piano and voice, and the discipline that they developed to earn their merit scholarship, gave Val the confidence to experiment with new sounds and find new ways to express themself through music.
“CMC made me feel at home and gave me the confidence to take risks.”
Some of Val’s most cherished memories are from the annual Field Day Performathon, where so many of CMC’s students and community come together for a day of performing and celebration. Val especially loved seeing all the different experience levels, the variety of performances, and everyone’s special skills come to life. Each year, Field Day reminded them of how much CMC offers to everybody, not just a select few.
Val is now a first-year student at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, studying music production. They know that whether they end up performing, composing, recording, producing, or teaching, music will always be the center of their life. CMC’s sliding-scale tuition, tuition-free programs, and merit scholarships started Val on this incredible musical journey and make it possible for so many other students to do the same. Val hopes to give back to CMC in the future.
Val’s time at CMC allowed them to take risks, set ambitious goals, and develop confidence in themself – skills that will serve them throughout their life, no matter where it takes them.