For Javier Irizarry, music has provided more than opportunities to perform and grow as an artist—it has also opened the door to leadership, mentorship, and giving back to younger musicians.
A former Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative (CMPI) fellow, Javier is now a junior at Northwestern University pursuing a dual degree in violin performance and neuroscience. He studies violin with Desirée Ruhstrat, balancing the demands of intensive musical training with his academic interests in science.
This year, Javier is adding another dimension to his Northwestern experience as the new President of Evanston Young Artists (EYA). In this leadership role, he is helping create opportunities for young musicians to receive the same kinds of encouragement, guidance, and mentorship that have been important throughout his own musical development.
The Practice Buddy Connection
Javier’s connection to the Practice Buddy program is personal. During his time as a CMPI fellow, Javier had a Practice Buddy of his own, David Cao. Their relationship gave Javier another musician to turn to for support and encouragement between lessons and eventually extended beyond the practice room. When Javier was applying to colleges, David was also someone he could check in with as he navigated the application process, particularly when it came to Northwestern.
That experience gave Javier firsthand insight into the value of having a trusted mentor in his corner—not only as he developed as a violinist, but also as he began thinking about what might come next.
Now, as President of Evanston Young Artists, Javier is helping provide similar opportunities for today’s CMPI fellows.
Through the Practice Buddy program, fellows can be paired with college musicians who provide additional support between private lessons. That might mean working through challenging repertoire or orchestral music, preparing audition material, practicing scales and etudes, or simply learning how to approach practice more effectively and independently.
For Javier, the opportunity brings his experience full circle. What he once experienced as a CMPI fellow is now something he can help make available to the musicians coming behind him.
Music, Science, and Looking Ahead
Alongside his musical training and leadership with EYA, Javier continues to pursue his interest in neuroscience. Javier is involved with Northwestern’s Music and Medicine Program, which explores the use of music-based interventions for individuals with neurological and cognitive conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
These experiences give Javier opportunities to explore two interests that have shaped his time at Northwestern—music and neuroscience.
As he moves through his junior year, Javier is also beginning to prepare for what comes after college. His plans include taking the MCAT and applying to medical school, while continuing to make music an important part of his life.
Javier’s journey from CMPI fellow to Northwestern student and EYA president reflects how the impact of an opportunity can extend well beyond the moment in which it is received. The mentorship and community that supported his own development are now experiences he can help create for someone else.
For today’s CMPI fellows, Javier’s story is also a reminder that the relationships and experiences built through music can continue to shape a life in unexpected ways. As Javier looks toward his own next chapter, he is carrying those experiences forward—continuing to grow as a musician while finding new ways to learn, lead, and give back.
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