Recently, UCF Music student Luis Burke was invited to perform at the 2024 Hispanic Heritage Awards at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Read about his experience in his own words below.
The day has finally come, after auditioning for this event and receiving this acceptance I am heading to Washington DC. They sent us an itinerary of what we will be doing but did not know how impactful this will be. At the start of this, I received a text message waiting for my flight at the Orlando Airport. “Hey Luis! Just wanted to check in and confirm that you are all set for your flight today! Please let me know when you arrive to DCA so I can coordinate transportation for you.” I was surprised finding out that someone will be waiting for me, it made me feel important to this event.
As the plane prepares for landing, I begin to tear up. Knowing that I have worked so hard to get where I am today. My ride takes me to this beautiful hotel named “The Royal Sonesta Dupont”. A gentleman opens the door for me, I check in and once I arrive to the room, I have an envelope with my name waiting on the desk. It contained a warm welcome to DC, a congratulations for being selected to play with the American Pops Orchestra. They were also kind enough to give us a gift card to buy food throughout our stay. After settling down my stuff in the hotel, I had three hours to relax, explore the area, and to dress myself for a cocktail party.
They had us meet with the other orchestral fellows in hotel lobby, we all introduced ourselves and shared where we are from. They were from Brazil, Venezuela, Peru, Colombia, and Mexico. Two vehicles pick us up and take us to the cocktail party. It was then revealed that is located at the Watergate Hotel. We all then met the conductor in the lobby, Maestro Luke Frazier. We exchange greetings and head to the table to check in. They take us to an elevator, heading all the way up to the top floor where we meet people that are huge in the Hispanic industry. Celebrities and ambassadors were all over the place, we did not know who to talk to first. This all included the following: Julio Torres(writer, director, comedian), Los Angeles Azules (cumbia icons), Roberto Clemente (honoring his legacy with
Luis Clemente), Carmelo Anthony (NBA Legend) Rea Ann Silva (beauty blender creator), Carolina Herrera (fashion icon), Nathy Peluso (singer), Morat (Colombian rock band), Ximena Sarinana (Mexican singer, actress), and Cimafunk (Cuban musician). I sat down with the cumbia icons Los Angeles Azules and talked with them for a while, it felt unreal being in front of a group that was part of my childhood. Then I met with the artist that we will be performing with at the Hispanic Heritage Awards, Nathy Peluso. Towards the end of cocktail party, the director asks if we are hungry. We all agreed that we are hungry and started heading to the restaurant.
We arrived to La Piquette, where the former French ambassador’s chef worked. Everything in the menu looked delicious, tasting the food was even better. After finishing this French cuisine, we walked over to the national cathedral. We were not able to enter into the building, but we were able to admire the outside of it. This was the first day, the next day was packed with many activities just like the first one.
The next day, we started off by going to the library of congress. We got a private tour of the library and had the opportunity of seeing collections of George Gershwin’s original works along with his piano. We were then escorted to the music division, the largest music library in the world. I had the opportunity to hold and look through the original composition of Concerto for Orchestra by Bartok. Fun fact: his notation and penmanship is very easy to read! After visiting the library, we had free time to discover the city.
With two other orchestral fellows and I, we went to go see the white house, the Washington monument, and the Lincoln memorial. After this time of exploring, we were taken to the Kennedy Center to begin the best part of this trip. Arriving there, I was shocked to see how large this area was, especially the opera house. We met this members of the American Pops Orchestra. First rehearsal was amazing, the entire group was filled with outstanding musicians and I felt honored to be part of this group. Once rehearsal has concluded, we went back to the hotel to prepare ourselves for tomorrows big event.
The final full day consisted of a full rehearsal with all of the performing artists, and camera crews doing their thing. Later that night, everyone takes their places. The event starts and we are ready to perform for the ceremony. Every second feels unreal, watching these Hispanic icons receive awards that show their hard work and dedication. I did not want this night to end. I gave all my hugs and thank you to everyone that was part of the event, as this was the last time I would see them on this trip. We were taken back to the hotel, and took one last picture with all of the orchestral fellows before we said our goodbyes.
On the way to the airport, it felt unreal knowing that I was part of the first ever class of the Hispanic Heritage Awards orchestral fellows. It made me feel so proud of my culture, and how much I have come so far in my musical journeys. As my mother has always told me, make yourself proud.
