We recently connected with Oscar Hidalgo and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Oscar, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

Becoming a Director of Canzion Institute has been a lifelong process. I have been playing music and leading worship at my local church since the age of 14. Even though I had no prior knowledge of music, my older brother taught me a few chords on the guitar and piano. From there, before YouTube and Social Media, I would learn on my own from different musicians at my church and places I would go visit. We were so poor that my parents couldn’t afford music lessons. It wasn’t until I made it to college that I took my first formal music lessons.

Oscar, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My Name is Oscar Hidalgo. I was born in Texas but raised in Florida. I am the youngest of 3 siblings. I started playing music when I was 14 years old, learning how to play piano and guitar from my brother. I decided to pursue a degree in Church Music, so that I can use my talent for the service of God and others. I became a part of Canzion Institute in 2007, joining first as a piano teacher. Throughout the years I have served in different roles like Academic Coordinator, Ministerial Coordinar, Theory Teacher and finally as the Director of the Tampa Branch in 2015. Canzion Institute provides the opportunity to not only learn an instrument, but also learn who to worship God and learn the tools necessary to serve in the local church. Our program consist of instrument classes, theory classes, ensamble classes, music and technology, and a ministry class to learn more about what God’s Word has to say about Worship and Music. We know there is a great need in the local churches for trained musicians and leaders, and we want to provide a place for people to come and be trained to fill that need. I am most proud of the impact we have been able to make in our local community and our students. We have seen many of our students leave our school and become leaders in the church and their community, even outside of music, yet applying the same knowledge and principles they learned at our school into their roles. We have had the children of former student come to learn at our school as a result of the great experience their parents had at our school. Lastly, we our proud to be part of an organization that has a global vision. We have schools all over the United States, Latin America, Europe, and Africa.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Our mission goes beyond just the music. Our school is really a school of leadership and service. We use music as the tool but really our goal is to develop the person playing the instrument. Our vision is for them to be a positive impact in the world. We know this will be accomplish not only by how well they play their instrument, but also what type of person they will be. So we teach them to be generous, have a servant’s heart, be selfless and to work as a team.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

To see how music unites people from different backgrounds and to see people that never had an opportunity to learn music, come to our school as adults and see them succeed as musicians. We have seen grandparents come with their grandchildren and graduate together. We have seen young teenagers that have no self confidence blossom into confident talented young adults.

Contact Info:

• Website: usa.institutocanzion.com/tampa
• Instagram: icztampa
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ICZTampa

Image Credits
Instituto Canzion Tampa