Graduation Speech, Doctor in Musical Arts Wagner Mauricio Pástor
Commencement Graduation Speech University of Kentucky
by Wagner Pástor
Introduction
“Che bella cosa” ….
The interview at the U.S. embassy in Ecuador unexpectedly included a performance for the immigration officer. That is how this story of a melodic dream in a new land began for me.
Today, we graduate as WILDCATS of UK who fought against adversity and as WILDCATS, we WON!
Today, we, the big dreamers, have the power to achieve the goals we strive for. We celebrate the result of our discipline, perseverance, and determination.
Discipline
First, I believe that love has an incredibly strong force, like the waterfalls that feed the Amazon River of the land I come from. It has enough power to motivate us to work diligently and guide us on the path to reaching our goals. However, this path has challenges that make us doubt ourselves and sometimes even make us think about giving up.
The love of my parents guided my steps since I was a child in the small town of Carapungo, in northern Quito, Ecuador. They taught me the discipline of waking up at five a.m. every day, showering, dressing in clean clothes, and walking to the bus station, with a warm piece of bread in my right hand and hot cocoa in my left hand. They used to tell my siblings and me that staying in bed does not open doors or get you to school on time. There were so many people at the bus station that we had to wait for hours, or we had to climb into the vehicle through the windows. We did the same morning routine for 20 years.
When I came to the U.S., freezing snow in Idaho and stormy rain in North Carolina during long walks to school made my feet cold and wet but built up my endurance. The low temperatures seemed warm due to my excitement to learn, and tears of joy used to caress my cheeks in class because I was finally studying music in the United States.
Perseverance
Second, leaving the comfort of home was scary but my passion to learn about the human voice and its artistic possibilities encouraged me to move to a new land to grow as a person and as an artist.
Once, I flew from Idaho to North Carolina on a freezing cold January morning. My friend, Nate, drove while I shivered with fever, my eyes watered, and my throat and whole body ached. Nate said it seemed I was always in a rush and asked if it was worth it to travel across the country while sick in order to sing. I replied that, as an immigrant, I couldn’t wait for opportunities to knock on my door. I needed to make the sacrifice of being away from my loved ones worth it.
I arrived in North Carolina feeling weak, but when I opened my mouth, my breath turned into a source of hope and melodies as I sang from the depths of my soul. With each breath, I forgot the sickness and remembered the wise advice from my professors and my family members.
Determination
Third, it was this guidance from my family that nurtured my determination, especially that from my grandmother. One was a widow, the other was divorced from a hotheaded husband. Nelly and Bachita washed clothes in the city’s river and cooked in a jail for young men to provide education and put food on the table for their children.
My grandmothers used to tell me that, in any field of study, one has to be the best and never give up. They said that the hardest part is taking the first step and wearing a generous smile, but facing challenges with a positive attitude makes them easier to overcome. They affirmed that education is a powerful tool leading to freedom and smiles, open hearts. When I told them I wanted to become a musician, they said, “If this is your dream, make sure to be the best, walk proudly in yourself, share your joyful voice with the world, and provide food for your family.” What is meant to be will be, as long as you work with determination.
Giving up was never an option. Walking in a stormy rain or freezing snow, singing impromptu at the U.S. embassy, taking a foreign language test four times, or flying sick to perform were experiences that shaped my adventure of learning. I know that my grandmothers are dancing and singing joyful tunes with the angels because they see that I followed their guidance. Thanks to them and my parents, I am here. I hope you will also remember the people and experiences that led you here, to graduation day.
Conclusion
Finally, I want to remind you that discipline, perseverance, and determination are meaningful to reaching goals. I came into this world with financial limitations, but guidance and my voice brought me here. I am the product of a loving family and mentors that came into my life along the way. They showed me that we need to live with transparency to know where we stand, grounded on the earth and with our minds on a planet for all.
During my years at UK, I have made new friends, and I found my life partner, Andrea. Here, I won battles against my fear of being far from family and speaking a new language, but I lost battles against muffins and ice cream. I gained not only new friends and new knowledge, but also some new pounds.
We live in an evolving world, which is why we need to keep working with a positive but real attitude. Let’s make our big and small dreams come true because they are key to a happy society. Let’s speak up against injustice, and let’s fill the environment with melodies of wisdom and love. Let’s keep learning from each other and encouraging each other.
Remember that a single finger can turn on a light switch, but two hands can build homes. To all of my fellows graduating today, let us live with a song in our hearts. With strong and sweet sounds, let us sing it with our souls as if it were our last breath.
Congratulations, UK class of 2023!
Wagner Pástor
DMA - Voice Performance
UKY - 2023
