Internship 2025

   In a preliminary post, please describe your hopes, dreams and fears for internship. Please make sure that your blog entry covers all three. Along the way, please consider your job description, your project, your coworkers, your internship site, your overall experience and how it could fit into your education, your life or your family.

  As I prepared to begin my internship at Apt 4 Music, I find myself with a mix of excitement, and just a touch of nervousness. This opportunity feels like a significant step in my journey, not just as a student but as someone who dreams of build a future in the music Industry. My biggest Hopes is to immerse myself in the vibrant world of music production and recording. Working at Apt 4 Music, I look forward to gaining hands on experience with professional equipment and learning behind the scenes process of music creation. I hope to develop technical skills through the recording class and apply them in real world projects, whether it's setting up mics, mixing tracks, creating my own music, or even collaborating on a session. I also hope to learn a lot from the people I'll be working with. I'm looking forward to hearing their stories and getting tips on how to succeed in the industry. My dream is to one day be able to produce my own music and being an amazing singer. Music has always been a huge part of my life, and I've always wanted to write songs that connects with people and performing them for audiences. I also dream about being a part of something creative during this internship. Beyond this internship, my biggest dream is to figure out how to turn my love for music into a career. Whether that means, writing, or performance, I want this experience to give me clarity about my future.Of course, I have some fears too. I’m a little worried about not knowing enough or making mistakes. This is my first time working in a professional setting, and I don’t want to feel out of place or overwhelmed.Another fear is not being able to keep up with the technical parts of the internship. What if I don’t understand something right away? What if I can’t figure out how to use the equipment? These are things I’ll have to face, but I hope my coworkers will be patient and willing to help me learn.In the end, I’m hopeful, excited, and ready to take on whatever this internship brings. I know it’ll be a challenge, but it’s one I’m looking forward to. I’m ready to learn, grow, and step into the world of music with open eyes and ears.

WEEK 1

What is your company's mission statement (and if they don't have one, write it!), and how do you see it in their work? Post an image that reflects that statement.

Apt 4  Music mission is to create opportunities in the musical arts by making music accessible to everyone, focusing to transform communities globally through music centered programs, services, and education. This mission is reflected in their commitment to inspire, educate, empower, and lead through exposure to music and fostering lifelong learning and community leadership.

 What goods and/or services does your company provide to the community and how do they consider their role in the community, responsibilities to society? Post an image that shows something your company contributes or an image that shows the effects of the work your company does.

Apt 4 offers accessible music education, helping individuals of all ages to develop their music talents. They provide private lessons, camps, and communities events that encourage creativity. The organization's mission is to create a positive impact through music, making education inclusive for everyone, especially by reaching diverse communities. During my first week of internship, I observed how these program gives people the chance to grow, learn new things, and connect with others through music.

TIMESHEET

WEEK 2

Describe your internship project. What will you be doing? What will the final product look like? Which skills (academic, creative, technical) will you utilize and/or develop as you do the project. How will the project benefit the organization?

For my internship Project focuses on increasing high school students engagement in Make Music Day, The Point Loma Summer Concert Series Junior Stage Audition, and music program. I will develop outreach strategies, create promotional materials and organize interactive activities to create interest and participation. Through student feedback, I'll propuse new initiatives, like collaborative workshops and performances opportunities. The project will deliver a detailed outreach plan, creative marketing resources, and recommendations to improve engagement. This work will help the organization by increasing participations in events and programs, fostering a  stronger  connection with the community. By developing exciting new ways to engage young musicians, the organization can expand its reach, grow its program, and futher mission of building a vibrant and inclusive music culture. This experience will also help me grow in research, design, event planing and teamwork, ensuring a positive impact on the organization and its goals.

How has or do you see your internship changing the way you consider that paths your future will take?

My internship has really made me think about how my passion for music could shape my future. Working on projects like Make Music Day and the Point Loma Summer Concerts has shown me how music can brign people together and creating exciting opportunities for young musicians like me. Before this, I mostly thought about music in terms of performing, but now I can see that there are so many ways to be involved in the music world, like organizing events, creating programs, and building a music community. This experiance has made me realize that I could turn my love for music into a career by using my creativity and organizational skills to help others to connect with music too. Overall, this internship has made me feel more excited about the differents paths I can take in music and how I can combine my passion with the work I wanna do in the future.

What lessons or experiences at your internship will you bring back to school to help you to further improve in your academics?

One lesson that I'm learning from my internship is the importance of time managment. By balancing task and meeting deadlines, I'm seeing how staying organized and prioritizing responsabilities can help me handle school assigments more effectively. Another lesson is how valueable is communication skill are. Working with different people is teaching me how to express my ideas clearly which is something that I struggle with, this will help me to collaborate better in group projects and participate more confidently in class disscussions. Finally, I'm learning that asking questions and seeking feedback are key to improving. This lesson is helping me realize that mistakes are opportunities to grow, which I can apply to my academics by staying open to learning and trying new approaches.

WEEK 3

 What are you thankful for in your internship experience?

Who benefits from the work that you do at internship? How and/or why?

PHOTO ESSAY

Mentor Interview

What do you dream of becoming when you’re a kid and did that change as you got older?

"When I was really young, I kind wanting to be some kind of performer, but also really liked the idea of being a pilot and flying or doing adventurous stuff." Over time, though, they shifted focus: "Eventually those kinds of dreams fell more to the wayside as I got more and more into music. I didn't stop doubting that until I was maybe 14."  That was about the time I really started realizing that my future was going to be in music and working with musicians.

Was there any specific moment or experience that inspired you to choose this career?

Funny enough, the thing that probably inspired me most was an injury. I had been playing a little bit of piano kind of on my own. I took some lessons when I was really young, brought to me by my grandma. But then I moved around a lot and didn’t get to explore music much outside of enjoying it, singing along, or participating in whatever the school could offer. When I was 14, I was running track a lot and wrestling. I hurt my knee really badly and couldn’t move much for a couple of months, except on crutches. During that time, "I picked up a guitar for the first time, started practicing piano more, and really had a lot more of that self-earned confidence to start performing for people."

What’s your favorite part of your job and why?

My favorite part of my job is "seeing people feel pride in something they’ve accomplished, whether it be performing, succeeding as a teacher, or executives landing contracts that impact more kids." It’s very satisfying to be "a conduit of having been part of what I’m trying to accomplish."

What’s one of the most challenging moments you’ve faced in your career, and how did you handle it?

One of the hardest challenges for me was in 2020. I had been directing bands at a music school, but when the pandemic hit, it shut down the school completely. At first, we thought we’d go back to work in a few weeks, but it turned into a permanent closure due to funding issues. "I had to start from scratch." I met with a colleague, Rice, who had worked there with me, and we started our own project. "The challenge of trying to start something like that from scratch while starting a family was one of the greatest challenges of my life."

Looking back, do you feel you’ve achieved the goals you set for yourself?

For the most part, I did get to have a career performing and doing a lot of touring, which was a big goal for me. However, I feel there’s more to achieve. "I want to achieve more by showing my personal creative outlet from the perspective of where I am now." Some of my earlier work with young bands in my twenties no longer resonates with who I am today, and I want to express my current self creatively through new projects.

If you could go back in time, would you do anything differently in your career journey?

I think I probably would have tried to make smarter financial choices much younger. "If I had just invested a little bit differently, I’d be having a much easier time now." Back then, I was in a touring music group and didn’t worry about much more than rent and food. Now, I wish I had learned about investments, savings, and financial planning earlier.

What’s one piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you were my age?

"When it comes to art, you kind of need all the eggs in one basket. You really need to throw yourself into it creatively." A lot of people, with good intentions, will tell you that focusing too much on music or art is risky and that you should have a backup plan. However, "if you’re focused too much on Plan B, there’s not enough time to make Plan A happen."

What skills or traits are most important for someone in your field?
Because I work in music education and not just performance, "being organized and consistent is crucial." Having a deadline for when a creative work is going to be done, building up toward performances, and fully promoting them are all important. These are traits that go beyond just being creative but are vital for success.

How do you stay motivated when things get tough?
I really believe in what we’re doing here and understand that if something’s not going to plan, it’s often about the approach or resources—not the core values. "If you know what’s important to you, you know what to prioritize."

If I wanted to follow a similar career path, what steps would you recommend?

"Form some kind of social group where you’re around other musicians or educators." Having a friend group that can mentor you is crucial. Education also plays a big role. "Music schools can fast-track your learning while introducing you to potential collaborators." For example, being in a classroom with other students learning music theory provides both opportunities and connections.

TIMESHEET WEEK 3

WEEK 4

What advice would you give to a junior in high school who wants to pursue a career in the field of your internship? 

An advice if you want to pursue a career in music or a related field, one of the most important things you can do is start making connections. Building relationships with people in the music industry can open doors to incredible opportunities and help you grow your career.Get involved locally by joining school music programs, community bands, or organizations like Apt 4 Music. Volunteering for events or auditions is a great way to gain hands-on experience and meet professionals in the field. Attending local concerts, open mic nights, or workshops also allows you to connect with other musicians and organizers.Collaboration is another key aspect. Work with other students or local artists on projects, performances, or recordings. These partnerships can help you learn new skills and build a reputation. If you’re into production or event management, offer to help peers organize or promote their shows.Finally, don’t be afraid to reach out. If there’s someone you admire whether it’s a local musician, a producer, or an event coordinator send them a message or introduce yourself. Most people are happy to share advice or help if you show genuine interest and enthusiasm.The connections you make now can play a huge role in your future success, so put yourself out there!

 Describe how experiences at HTHMA have prepared you for your experience at internship.

My experiences at High Tech High Media Arts (HTHMA) have prepared me well for my internship at Apt 4 Music in several ways. At HTHMA, collaboration is a huge part of every project. Working with classmates on group assignments has taught me how to communicate effectively, share responsibilities, and solve problems as a team all skills I use regularly during my internship.HTHMA also encourages creativity and hands-on learning, which has helped me feel confident when working on tasks like designing posters or brainstorming ideas for events. The project-based learning approach at school feels similar to how we approach work at Apt 4 Music by focusing on real-world applications and seeing projects through from start to finish.Lastly, HTHMA’s focus on community and relationships has made me more comfortable building connections with coworkers and collaborating with others. Whether I’m helping set up auditions or working on outreach efforts, the values and skills I’ve developed at HTHMA have made it easier for me to contribute meaningfully to my internship.

TIMESHEET WEEK 4

Final Week 5

 Describe what you are most thankful for in your internship experience—what experiences, what people, and so on? What new appreciations have you gained through internship and how did you develop these?

Write a Thank You note to your mentor, highlighting specific learning experiences, achievements, personal growth, etc., that occurred during your internship.

Dear DJ Villegas,

I just want to take a moment to thank you for everything you’ve taught me during my internship at APT 4 Music. Your guidance and support have helped me grow in so many ways. From learning how to promote events and communicate professionally to gaining a deeper understanding of the music industry, this experience has been truly valuable.

One of the biggest things I’ve learned is how much effort goes into organizing music events. Writing emails, creating posters, and making sure everything is set up properly showed me the importance of attention to detail and teamwork. Most importantly, I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn how to make and write a song. That experience helped me connect even more with my passion for music.

Thank you for your advice, patience, and encouragement. Your dedication to music and education is inspiring, and I truly appreciate everything you've shared with me.

Sincerely,

Santiago

TIMESHEET WEEK 5