Mr. Andy Tamara
(FreshStart Education Coordinator)
“I’ve always wanted to become a lawyer.”
Wait, what? Haha. Let me explain.
Back in 2004, I was sitting in the office of one of the counselors at UC Davis awaiting my quarterly meeting to plan my 4th and final year as a Philosophy major. I was getting ready to take the LSAT (law school admission test) and on track to becoming a lawyer.
After a couple minutes, the counselor asked me what should have been an easy question to answer:
“Why do you want to become a lawyer?”
I hesitated and thought about my response.
In the past, I had always given a standard and almost robotic answer to this question, but this was different. I wanted to answer honestly and could not come up with a response.
“I don’t know.” I sheepishly answered.
Wait, what? Haha. Let me explain.
Back in 2004, I was sitting in the office of one of the counselors at UC Davis awaiting my quarterly meeting to plan my 4th and final year as a Philosophy major. I was getting ready to take the LSAT (law school admission test) and on track to becoming a lawyer.
After a couple minutes, the counselor asked me what should have been an easy question to answer:
“Why do you want to become a lawyer?”
I hesitated and thought about my response.
In the past, I had always given a standard and almost robotic answer to this question, but this was different. I wanted to answer honestly and could not come up with a response.
“I don’t know.” I sheepishly answered.
We then went on to discuss other interests of mine and I shared how I loved playing the piano since the age of 10. He told me my demeanor changed when I was speaking about the piano and music and encouraged me to study music.
Long story short (too late, I know) I came back to Orange County, and resumed my music education culminating in a BA in Music from Cal State Fullerton. There were so many times in which I thought it was too late for me to study music, but I was blessed to have mentors and teachers along the way who encouraged and guided me throughout my years of study.
A couple years after my graduation, I was able to catch up with one of my old professors and after expressing my gratitude towards him he said something I’ll never forget:
“I did help you and now I want you to go and help someone else.”
I believe that every student has a unique way of learning and that it is a teacher’s responsibility to help instill a life-long passion for music. I love teaching and I am truly blessed I can do it for a living!
Long story short (too late, I know) I came back to Orange County, and resumed my music education culminating in a BA in Music from Cal State Fullerton. There were so many times in which I thought it was too late for me to study music, but I was blessed to have mentors and teachers along the way who encouraged and guided me throughout my years of study.
A couple years after my graduation, I was able to catch up with one of my old professors and after expressing my gratitude towards him he said something I’ll never forget:
“I did help you and now I want you to go and help someone else.”
I believe that every student has a unique way of learning and that it is a teacher’s responsibility to help instill a life-long passion for music. I love teaching and I am truly blessed I can do it for a living!
My training!
I received a BA degree in Music Education from Cal State Fullerton. I've been teaching piano, guitar, drums and voice for over 12 years. I've been privileged with opportunities to help expand music curriculum and oversee projects with the goal of providing the best music education experience.
I'm so happy to be able to join the FreshStart team and help implement and coordinate future programs and events with them.
I'm so happy to be able to join the FreshStart team and help implement and coordinate future programs and events with them.
Outside of work
I love reading about astrophysics, cosmology, philosophy, and other nerdy topics.
My favorite composer is Mozart. I also love playing the Blues and improvising (or jamming) with other musicians!
My favorite food is Peruvian food (I am Peruvian).
Who doesn’t love Peruvian food though?
I am fascinated with language learning and am fully bilingual in Spanish and speak conversational Italian, French and German.
Next up, Mandarin!
My favorite composer is Mozart. I also love playing the Blues and improvising (or jamming) with other musicians!
My favorite food is Peruvian food (I am Peruvian).
Who doesn’t love Peruvian food though?
I am fascinated with language learning and am fully bilingual in Spanish and speak conversational Italian, French and German.
Next up, Mandarin!
