ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: GUERRINA ESPARZA The #UTSAMusic department is a close-knit community. We are a small department of about 300 students and approximately 50 faculty and staff; it is no wonder then, that when bonds are created here, they last. Take for example this month’s Alumni Spotlight subject, Guerrina Esparza (‘84, ‘92) who after graduating with a Bachelor of Music Education degree, returned less than 10 years later to earn her Master’s degree, and approximately a decade after that joined the faculty of the UTSA Middle School Band Camp to work with young budding musicians. During the times in-between, Guerrina built a career spanning over 3 decades in nearly half a dozen schools in and around San Antonio. Guerrina is currently the Head Band Director at Garcia Middle School in the Northside Independent School District where she has been for the last 12 years and where she will close out a much lauded career that began when she found her passion.
How and when did music become your career choice? I knew as early as elementary school that I wanted to explore the notion of becoming an educator. Our one-car garage functioned as my “classroom”. Stuffed animals and dolls were hijacked to pose as my students. I would take them through a rigorous routine of reading, math, and writing. As I entered my middle school years at Sul Ross, I was encouraged to join the band. Shortly after my 7th grade year began, I knew EXACTLY the subject I REALLY wanted to teach…..BAND!!! Why did you choose UTSA? When I was a junior in high school, (Professor Emeritus) Dr. [Robert] Rustowicz visited Holmes HS for a recruiting seminar. I was impressed with his enthusiasm for UTSA and I did not want to venture
far from home. The decision was an easy one. I was going to be a Roadrunner! UTSA was a new and upcoming University in the early 1980s and I was very excited to be a part of the newly formed music division. The campus sat on a beautiful landscape of trees and there were no buildings around for miles. During my sophomore year at UTSA, I remember putting [music] stand racks and the old red chairs together as we opened the new building and recital hall. We were all so proud of our new venue! As we worked tirelessly for hours getting the building ready, Dr. Rustowicz took out a $20 bill from his wallet and asked me to get some lunch for all of us. Back then that $20 fed a slew of college kids. Those were special times. We were all vested in UTSA and great moments were on the horizon!
