When a huge, student-led brass band marched into the Performing Arts Center, turning the auditorium into a New Orleans-style street parade, Ailyn Martinez-Ocampo ’28 was astonished.

“Just seeing the amount of brass players that we had playing in that composition group was jaw-dropping,” she said of her peers’ performance during the El Sistema Residency concert on April 6. “I just loved the composition of the brass group, and I enjoyed seeing everybody in the crowd vibing to it, too, because it makes us musicians feel really special knowing that people enjoy listening to the music that we make.”

The concert marked a special occasion for students to debut original compositions created during the weekend-long El Sistema Residency, which proudly celebrated its tenth year at King.

El Sistema, originally founded in Venezuela, is a globally recognized music education model that uses ensemble-based music instruction to foster social development and personal growth in young people. At King, the El Sistema Residency brings this transformative approach to life, offering students of all skill levels the opportunity to develop musically while engaging deeply with the values of community and creative exploration.

From Saturday, April 5, to Sunday, April 6, students from nine organizations across the East Coast convened at King to work closely with one another, under the direction of professional musicians and mentors, to compose and develop original pieces. Beyond simply learning to play an instrument, they were immersed in a creative, collaborative setting, honing discipline, teamwork, and self-expression.

This year’s residency included guest artist Pete Francis P’31, founding member of indie rock band Dispatch, who worked with students on songwriting and lyric composition. His guidance added a unique dimension to the residency, where students and teachers exchange ideas and shape the music together.

“We step into the room not as traditional instructors but as equals,” said Director of Performing Arts Garrett Mendez. “The students lead the way, and we moderate and offer ideas. It’s about shared experiences and problem-solving through music.”

Students from across a wide range of programs took part in the residency, representing King, Project Music, Boston String Academy, Boston Music Project, Roc Music, Paterson Music Project, Johns Hopkins Tuned-IN, Baltimore Symphony OrchKids, Soundscapes, and the Sunstate Orchestral Program.

“Navigating the logistics of nearly 250 people involved in the program reinforces how we can build and connect communities by intentionally creating spaces that welcome diverse voices and ideas,” said Mendez. “The result is a deeply connected, energetic experience that simply can’t be replicated.”

This was the first El Sistema experience for Emilia Leng ’31, and it surpassed all expectations. 

“It was the first time that I had ever played in a giant group of 180 students, and because of all of the programs I was in, I performed on almost every piece,” said Emilia, adding that she looks forward to channeling her new skills into the Spring Concert. “I am especially proud of the improvisation solos, including both of mine and the collective composition, where we could get a better view of the musicians' voices and ideas in music. It allowed us to really get creative with the notes and scales.”

For many students, the El Sistema residency offers musical growth and moments of connection and spontaneity. Sienna Barlow ’26, a longtime participant in the program, described the experience as deeply resonant.

“I've participated in El Sistema since sixth grade, but every year something happens that gives me the chills,” she said. “Whether it’s someone who was a stranger three hours ago taking a solo for the first time, seeing an eight-year-old having the absolute time of his life on the drums, or the brass band that just met deciding to walk in together playing a piece we literally created the day before.”

The moments in between rehearsals also added depth to the residency. 

“Sitting with everyone between rehearsals and just being able to laugh and connect on the basis of music and the works we've composed together is such an amazing feeling, and it's something I look forward to every year,” said Sienna.

For Ailyn Martinez-Ocampo ’28, the residency was as much about leadership as it was about music. While contributing riffs during the group composition, she also took on the role of mentor, helping younger students find their notes and build confidence through collaboration.

“Getting the children out of their comfort zones in order to collaborate with one another was a big part of it,” she said. “It was about listening, connecting, and creating something together.”

Working with guest artist Francis was another highlight. Ailyn described it as a “once in a lifetime experience,” noting how quickly Francis connected with the group and brought a new energy to the creative process.

As King’s music program continues to grow, Mendez’s vision of music as a tool for unity and empowerment remains at its core. Through jazz combos, orchestral performances, and collaborative projects, Mendez is shaping students into future leaders and community builders.