Polk State Music student says College taught him fundamentals to turn passion into a career

Kevin Ramirez has been banging away on percussion instruments since he was 9 years old, and before that, he was a young child infatuated with playing the air drums or using everyday items as his makeshift drum set.

When he started at Polk State in 2021 after high school, he thought he would become a police officer, compelled to help others. When faced with the dangers of the job and the decision to change his major, he reflected on how else he could help people.

“Music has helped me a lot. It has always been there for me. I thought, ‘I can help others by sharing music,’ and that’s when I decided to pursue becoming a music teacher,” he shared.

Learning the Fundamentals

Ramirez admitted that when he enrolled in Polk State College’s Music Program in 2022, “I came here thinking I knew everything.” But the world of higher education had its own beat. “It turned out to be a whole other world,” he explained.

He failed the Fundamentals of Music course.

“It was the first time I ever failed anything, and what was worse is that I failed in music, my passion,” Ramirez reflected. “There came a moment where I had to be honest with myself about what I wanted, grow up, try again, and do it.”

Ramirez then excelled.

He explained how in Polk State’s Music Program, he became a professional at his passion. It is here that he learned to read music, keep track of time, and ultimately understand how he was going to not only continue to play music but also teach it to others.

“Here at Polk State, I was able to grow and learn as a musician.”

In addition to his classes, Polk State has provided the opportunity for Ramirez and his peers to participate in the College’s Jazz Ensemble, in which he has performed at commencement, FallFest, and several Polk State College Foundation events including the Night of Legacy gala and annual Basketball Tip-Off Dinner. Ramirez has also collaborated with students to facilitate musical morning worship sessions at Polk State Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School.

“It has been a valuable experience to learn how the music business works, from booking performances to understanding our value as performers and how to negotiate pay,” he said. “It has been an added professional perspective that is helpful when going out to make this a career.”

In addition to the drums, Ramirez is well-versed in playing percussion including mallets and chimes, as well as the piano, guitar, and bass. Self-taught, he has learned by watching others and by watching many YouTube videos.

“I’ve been doing this since I was 9 and still didn’t know the basics such as reading music,” he added. “Here at Polk State, I was able to grow and learn as a musician.”

Becoming a leader

His about-face didn’t go unnoticed by his professors and peers.

In fact, they encouraged him to apply for a scholarship with the Blanton Foundation, which funds scholarships for students pursuing careers in a broad variety of musical genres, including performance and education. The Blanton Foundation supports numerous community and arts-based charities in Lakeland and throughout Polk County.

After a robust application and interview process, Ramirez was awarded a full-ride scholarship from the Blanton Foundation, funding his studies at Polk State College and soon his continued education at Warner University, where he will pursue a bachelor’s degree in music education.

“Kevin is the total package,” Program Manager for The Arts Nancy Lozell exclaimed. “He is not only a musician, but a leader who has developed a strong technical background to organize groups, work behind the scenes, and be the go-to for his peers.”

Ramirez has served as a work-study student in The Arts Department for two years while he has worked on his Associate in Arts degree.

“If there’s anyone doing the leg work, it’s him,” Lozell added. “Kevin has been instrumental in the renovation project taking place here at our Winter Haven Fine Arts Building, from inventorying all the instruments to keeping things organized — skills that will also benefit him in his future role in music education.”

‘Do it out of passion’

Ramirez will share his story and his appreciation for The Arts Program during Polk State’s ribbon cutting for its newly reopened Fine Arts Building on January 21.

“Once you finish learning here at Polk State, you will take that passion out into the world and our community will benefit from that.”

“To see the whole building gutted to what it is now has been really amazing,” he shared. “This will benefit students and the community.”

Ramirez will enjoy the renovations until his graduation in May, although he says he will return to the building as a patron and through his continued work in music.

“My favorite thing about the Polk State Music Program has been the ability to learn [other aspects of music] other than simply playing music,” Ramirez reflected.

“My advice is that if you want to do something, do it out of passion,” he added. “Once you finish learning here at Polk State, you will take that passion out into the world and our community will benefit from that. Our community enjoys the wonderful music that comes out of this program and to know that it comes from the community is really cool too.”