PAC Student Media

By Andrew Morin 
Pulse Staff Reporter

Palo Alto’s own Alex Montalvo was one of 48 musicians selected out of 1,400 entries who traveled to New York to perform as a soloist at Carnegie Hall on Feb 4, 2018.

The 5-day trip was full of emotions, ranging from “nerve-racking to calming,” said Montalvo about his once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The Honors Performance Series is a group of people devoted to music and giving talented young adults a chance to showcase their musical prowess. The HPS recognized Montalvo for his work, as well as displaying it for the public eye and industry professionals.

Many of the performers chosen have been involved in music since they were toddlers. As for Montalvo, who is 21, he felt behind them in terms of experience, being most involved right after high school.

“It’s not about how long you’ve been doing it, but about the quality of time it is being done,” said Montalvo, who had the utmost confidence in his musical abilities. He starred in Palo Alto College’s staging of “West Side Story” last spring.

If the trip didn’t solidify that enough, then what added fuel to the positive fire was when Dr. Eph Ehly, one of the conductors at Carnegie Hall, spoke to the artists, explaining that they had been chosen based on nothing more than their musical level.

Montalvo has a strong foundation in music, and his abilities rival those who have been involved in the craft their whole life. That type of passion and dedication is credited to his countless hours of practice and the support system that sees the potential he possesses.

Edlyn De Oliveira, a Palo Alto professor with passion for music and performance, recognizes this potential, not only in Alex’s voice but in his motivation to achieve the most life offers.

“As an instructor, our job is so much more than teaching music. We’re teaching these students to achieve excellence, be disciplined and to do their very best at anything they try,” said De Oliveira.

Montalvo’s close ties with his college and his love for the South Side community have humbled him enough to want to give back one day when he has fulfilled his career goals and gained the experience he seeks.

“[Music] is cemented in me as for what I want to do for the rest of my life,” said Montalvo. “In said future, I would love to come back to San Antonio and start some type of musical program.”

San Antonio’s performing art scene is ever growing, and with the success of driven young adults such as Montalvo, the future is bright.