Hello everyone! I am the newest addition to the Digital and Education team at WFSU Public Media! My name is Camilo Perez, and I grew up in Miami, Florida.
Because of music, I have been extremely fortunate to travel and end up in incredible places with incredible people. At Miami-Dade College, I received my associate in arts degree and from there, I went to FIU and completed my bachelor of music in jazz studies. Along the way, I joined the U.S. Army National Guard’s 13th Army Band as a Saxophonist, where I have been working since 2011. As a band member, I’ve traveled all over the U.S., the Caribbean, and Europe, providing disaster relief, community engagement, concerts, and masterclasses.
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Camilo and entusiastic middle school children at a school in St.Kitts.
My Inspiration
Throughout my life, I have always been surrounded by educators. With my mom being an educator herself, the U.S. Army’s focus on self-development, and the support of many friends in music and music education, WFSU feels like home. Thinking back, PBS has always been a part of my childhood. My mom loved Arthur, so she always had that on after school.
Subconsciously, the great music of PBS shows and my parents inspired me to go into music. With catchy themes from Arthur, Sesame Street, Dragon Tales, and The Magic School Bus, I could not help singing and bopping my head!
My mom played piano when she was younger and my dad the guitar. There was always music playing in the house. Music from Frank Sinatra to Mark Anthony, Led Zeppelin, and Billy Joel! I’ll never forget the segment where Wynton Marsalis played music with the Sesame Street monsters. I think that was a turning point for me.
In the Army and music, working together and building teams is a must to be successful! At WFSU, many leaders inspire me to work harder and better as a better educator, musician, and human being. They make people feel heard, valued, and welcomed. As I finish my master’s in arts administration at Florida State Unviersity, I can happily say that WFSU has dramatically impacted my life.