Alexa’s Journey from Student to Teacher
Senderos had the supreme pleasure of interviewing previous student and current scholarship recipient and teacher, Alexa Orellana about her reflection on what the music program has meant in her life.
When Alexa talks about her first days in the FUNDIT Music Program at Escuela David LaMotte, she does not start with the music. She starts with the people.
“What I remember most is the connection I made with incredible people,” she says. “From the beginning, I met wonderful people who shared the same love for music, and to this day I still have the privilege of calling them friends.”
That sense of belonging did not happen overnight. Learning music was harder than she expected.
“The most difficult part was understanding that music is a process and that I wasn’t going to see results instantly,” she says. “I’m someone who can be very hard on myself. Learning to be patient was part of my formation.”
Over time, something shifted. She began to see progress in her rehearsals. She felt the encouragement of her teachers. Performances became moments of connection instead of anxiety.
“I started to feel a true sense of belonging when I saw improvement in my practice and felt supported by my teachers,” she says. “Being able to share music with others and receive it back was something very special.”
Then came the scholarship. Alexa was one of two students selected to receive the program’s first-ever scholarship to pursue music at the university level.
“In practical terms, the scholarship allowed me to continue my musical studies without finances being a limitation,” Alexa explains. “On a personal level, it gave me confidence and the security of knowing that someone believed in me and in the path I was building.”
She still remembers how she felt when she received the news.
“It was a mix of surprise, gratitude, and so much excitement. It was one of those moments that marks a before and after.”
Because of that support, Alexa was able to keep studying, growing, and preparing for something she had not fully imagined at the beginning. She began teaching in the same program where she once sat as a student.
“When I realized how much my teachers had influenced my life, I thought that I also wanted to be that person who accompanies, motivates, and inspires others in their process.”
The first time she stood in front of her own students, she felt both excitement and responsibility.
“I felt a great responsibility, but also enormous joy knowing that I could share such an important part of my life and have a positive influence on them.”
Teaching has deepened her understanding of the program’s impact.
“I’ve been surprised to realize that I also learn from my students, especially the children. Each one sees the world differently. Their ideas help me grow as a teacher.”
When she looks at her students, she recognizes something familiar.
“I see dreams, nerves, curiosity, and a strong desire to learn. And sometimes I see a bit of frustration. That reminds me a lot of myself when I was starting.”
Music has shaped how she sees her future.
“Music gave me purpose,” she says. “It helped me understand that my future is connected to art, to teaching, and to continuing to grow so I can inspire others.”
When asked what she would say to those who support the program, her answer is heartfelt and direct.
“Many times we are not aware of the impact we have on other people’s lives,” she says. “What you do is not just a small contribution. You are changing lives completely.”
Alexa speaks from experience and puts into words what we at Senderos get to see all the time. Your donated violin or financial support gives Alexa and all the other kids in the music program an opportunity, a pathway (sendero) forward.
Today, Alexa is one of the clearest examples of what the music school makes possible. She once sat in those rehearsals, unsure and learning. Now she is the one encouraging steady practice, calming nerves before performances, and reminding her students that they belong. When you invest in a student, the impact does not end with one life. It carries forward, note by note, into the hands of others.
