NextGen Advocacy: Wilton Martinez at the Arts Education Rally

July 11, 2025

Last month one of our NextGen Musician Alumni, Wilton Martinez, spoke at the It Starts with the Arts Rally to raise awareness on the impact and importance of music education. One of the major aspects of our NextGen Musician program is a music-focused advocacy project designed by each student that will have an impact on their specific community and field. We are so proud of Wilton for continuing his advocacy message and speaking out for the arts!

 

“On June 11th I had the pleasure of speaking in regards to the arts. It’s truly incredible the impact that the arts can have on anyone’s life and for that reason I will always be more than happy to advocate for them. I want to thank Midori and Friends as well as the Arts Education Roundtable for making this a possibility.” – Wilton Martinez

 

Wilton’s words on his recent reconnection with music and the impact it has had on his life are inspirational to all young musicians finding their place in the world. Finding where music fits into our lives is a crucial part of making music our own, and we want to encourage students to discover this for themselves. Wilton’s story is a wonderful example of how music education not only helps students connect with music, but also the long-lasting impacts it can have on students beyond the stage. We are proud to have a strong voice like Wilton’s on our NextGen Alumni Board!

 

Arts Education Roundtable Rally 

June 20, 2025

Hi everyone, my name is Wilton Martinez. I’m a proud alum of the NextGen Musician program with Midori & Friends, and I currently serve on the NextGen Alumni Board. It’s an honor to be here today. First, I want to thank the Arts Education Roundtable for creating this space and this rally—spaces like this are powerful, and I’m grateful to be part of it.

In June 2024, I made a big decision: I chose to play my violin just for me. Not for a performance, not for a grade—just for myself.

Fast forward to May 2025, and I picked up my violin again for the first time in a long time. I practiced for an hour and a half—and honestly, it felt amazing. That feeling when a note sounds exactly the way it’s supposed to—that’s something special. In that moment, my mind was quiet, and I remember this one clear thought rising to the surface: “This is why I play music.”

For me, music isn’t powerful because I get to play it for an audience—truthfully, that part can be a little nerve-wracking. Music is powerful because it’s mine. What I create belongs to me. In a world where so little feels truly yours, music gave me something that was.

So when we talk about why arts education is essential in NYC schools, I offer this perspective: there are kids across this city who just need one thing that’s theirs. Something they can create, hold on to, and take pride in.

Music was that for me. And it can be that for so many others.

Thank you for listening.