Josh Cavazos

Photo courtesy of: JoshHuskin.com

Josh as a MACSA Student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When did you start at MACSA?

I started taking lessons from Ken Thompson as a high school freshman, as he was highly recommended by several musician friends of our family. I have the best memories of my time as a student at MACSA! In addition to teaching me the traditional classical repertoire, Ken recognized my ear for improvisation and my great interest in Composition. He really brought these things out in me and encouraged me to compose, create CDs of original material, and even hosted a CD release concert at MACSA. I am forever grateful for his training, support, and encouragement along the way in my studies and career.

 

After you left MACSA, where did you go?  And how did you make your way back?

After graduating high school, I attended Texas State University for Piano Performance, where I studied with Dr. Tim Woolsey. After graduating from TX State, I came back and taught for two years at MACSA before teaching public school and pursuing a graduate degree in Composition.

Josh and his Grandmother

Who inspires you and why?

I am inspired by my family, and in particular, by my grandmother, Olivia Cavazos. She has been through much in her lifetime, including
beating cancer twice. She lives life with great perspective and a thankful heart, while placing her faith and family first. She is actually one of the main reasons I began composing, as I began writing my earliest music in response to her undergoing her first cancer treatment.

 

Some people will often ask, “What’s your 5-year plan?” … But what’s your plan for 2020? And where do you see yourself in 2030?

I believe composing and orchestrating commercial music has been a unique theme in my life from my early high school days until now with
the release of my new website. My plan for 2020 is to continue to share my custom production music services, with the goal of writing and orchestrating for TV/film, companies, and churches. In 2030, I hope to be scoring music to movies.

 

You seem to juggle many things, what’s something people might not realize about you?

One of the longest standing traditions in my family growing up is pizza and movies on Friday nights. Even to this day, after a busy work
week, my wife and I will usually seek out a great pizza place for takeout! We have a four year old and a one year old though, so our movie selection has been replaced by various episodes of Sesame Street!

 

Anything else you want people to know?

Thank you very much to Ken Thompson and the Musical Arts Center of San Antonio for their support and encouragement to me over the years! I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to do this interview, invitation to share a little more about myself, and the chance to share my new website. If you would like to learn more about my custom production music services, as well as hear seven new instrumental pieces in different genres, please visit my new website at www.joshcavazos.com