For John Castillo, the pandemic doesn't stop the music

Like most people these days, Westwood resident John Castillo misses favorite pastimes like going to baseball games and eating at restaurants. Fortunately, the pandemic hasn’t stopped him from pursuing one of his favorite activities: making music.

Castillo studies singing at New England Conservatory’s School of Continuing Education (NEC’s SCE), which offers lessons, classes and ensemble opportunities to adult students of all skill levels. “NEC is a great school,” he notes. “They have a wonderful and varied SCE curriculum.”

For Castillo, the transition to virtual study has been nearly seamless. “Since I am totally blind,” he says, “I am accustomed to following lessons by listening to my teacher’s instructions while rehearsing with the pianist. The only difference online was the timing.” To make his online lessons work more effectively, he scheduled rehearsals with the pianist and burned practice CDs.

Finding the right teacher is an important part of successful learning. With a roster of experienced teachers and a prestigious history of providing quality music education, NEC’s SCE is able to match students with teachers who will best serve their needs. Castillo notes that his individual voice lessons with Voice Chair Mark Lee have been his “absolute favorite experience at NEC. Mark consistently challenged me and helped strengthen and improve my vocal skills.”

Castillo has also taken advantage of NEC SCE’s diverse offerings, singing in a select a cappella vocal ensemble, studying music technology and taking courses in musical theater and music history.

While disappointed that in-person group singing seems unsafe for the foreseeable future, Castillo is nonetheless finding opportunities to vocalize. This spring, for example, he used his online music skills to cantor a livestreamed mass and record inspirational songs with the music director at St. Edward’s in Medfield.

Castillo’s studies at NEC’s SCE have been instrumental in helping him gain confidence and land public performance gigs, including singing as a soloist with the Wellesley Symphony Orchestra, and playing Carlos, the main character in the opera “En La Ardiente Oscuridad.”

A reprisal of his role as Carlos that was set for this summer in the Catskills has been rescheduled until 2021, and Castillo is excited to perform in the opera again. In the meantime, he has plenty to keep him busy, cantoring at churches, playing drums and piano, working on his singing and continuing to enjoy his studies at NEC’s SCE.

For more information on New England Conservatory’s School of Continuing Education, visit https://necmusic.edu/ce