Catching Up with Diego

Diego Sandoval Andrade & Yenny Sandoval, May 2025

I am Diego Sandoval Andrade, and I am a senior in high school. I play soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophone; I can sing anything from counter tenor to bass 2; I play the drums, the quads on the drumline; the violin, some piano, and the electric bass.

Learning music theory is so amazing because it’s just so endless and there is so much you can do when you know the theory. Playing in a band is amazing because I feel and hear the story that the music is trying to tell me, and I play it and contribute to its art. It’s beautiful.

One teacher that always had an impact on me was Mrs. Lanier. I remember her giving me and classmates violin lessons; she had given us that wonderful opportunity and made me want to pursue music. My current music teacher’s name is Thameenah Alam and she is a wonderful teacher. She taught and helped me learn new instruments and more music theory, and also gave me all the opportunities to become better.

Once you are passionate about music, it’s hard to let it go. I’ve been learning music since I was 7 or 8 years old and have loved it ever since. Through music, I’ve been able to make new friends and relationships, and learned to be part of a team (the band).

More kids deserve the chance to fall in love with an instrument, and it’s better to dedicate our time to something productive for our lives.

Thoughts from Diego’s Mom

Music has had a remarkable impact on Diego. He began to show more confidence and to feel very comfortable sharing music with others. He discovered that he likes to sing. His life has definitely changed through music.

Diego was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 7, and when he started music class we could see a radical change in him. The hyperactive behavior that he showed as a child disappeared when music education was presented to him.

Music definitely helps kids and is important because it develops cognitive skills such as memory and attention, improves academic performance, and strengthens discipline. Music promotes creativity, personal expression and empathy, and can help overcome shyness and social anxiety.

We learn music to become our best selves. Music connects people. Music connects us as a family. Music can transport you. It tells you a story, and it’s beautiful to listen when someone tells you with so much passion and dedication through music or an instrument.