Get to know Miro Hernandez, Program Manager of our SLAM Program! A dedicated music educator and a talented percussionist, Miro has been with The People’s Music School for four years, teaching everything from TEORÍA MUSICAL y MÚSICA GENERAL to clarinet lessons and contemporary ensembles. We asked Miro what drew him to People’s, and what inspires him to do the work that he does.
When did you first know you wanted to pursue music?
I started playing piano when my mom put me in lessons at the age of 4, and was immediately drawn to music. At 11, I joined the 6th grade band, and quickly grew to love percussion and making music with others. Many of my favorite high school memories involved being with my drumline/band friends and teachers, rehearsing, performing or just being around each other all the time. When it came time to think about college, I had to decide between going to school for computer science or going the music route. Music was such an important part of my life that I chose studying Music Education at The University of North Texas.
The moment everything clicked for me was probably during my third year of college. I started working with B Sharp, an El Sistema-based program in Fort Worth Texas, and that’s what really sparked my passion for teaching. It was rewarding to share my passion for music with elementary students who wouldn’t normally have the ability to study music in this way. It was there, too, where I realized I wanted to continue teaching in this kind of environment as opposed to a public school setting.
Miro conducts the Uptown Academy Transform Band in 2024. Photo credit: Jhonathan F. Gomez
Why People’s? What about our mission resonates with you?
It’s the delivering access part. I feel so lucky that my parents were able to take me to lessons early on and who supported my love for music, and that my music teachers shared their passion for music and teaching. So getting to provide that support and love for music to students who might not have had that chance without TPMS, is such a rewarding feeling. And the community here is unmatched. It isn’t just the students who are committed, it’s the families, too. I love meeting my students’ families and seeing how invested they are in their child’s growth and success in the school.
Miro with his Uptown Academy General Music student at Performapaloozathon 2025
You’ve been with People’s for four years, but most recently joined on as our SLAM Program Manager. Tell us a bit about the work you do here and what excites you most about it.
So I conduct five of our ensembles in Uptown, and now as a Program Manager, I oversee our advanced “SLAM” students at all four sites. Having mostly only worked with Uptown Academy and Albany Park students these past few years, it has been wonderful to get to meet our SLAM students at our Back of the Yards and Greater South Side locations and to now be a part of their communities.
I work with the program managers and staff at our four sites to ensure that our SLAM students have everything they need, work with organizations that offer summer camps and scholarships for our students, and run our Saturday programming at UA with the help of Alejandra, our program associate.
One of my goals is to offer deeper musical experiences to our SLAM students in ways that resonate with them. For example, we have a student who is into making house music, and one who also creates animations and wants to learn how to arrange music for them. I think it’s so important for students to explore different ways in which they can be creative, musically.
What advice would you give someone who wants to pursue music education or performance?
Do it, it can be such an incredible experience.
For future educators, when it’s your turn to teach, remember what it was like to be on the other end. Put yourself in their shoes. Learning an instrument can be difficult, so it’s important to teach in ways that make it rewarding and fun. Young musicians should feel encouraged and supported, especially when they’re feeling doubtful or wanting to give up.
And even with the title of “teacher”, you should still be a student. Learn from your peers, ask questions, try new things, and continue growing as educators.
For performers, perform for as many people as you can. Go to music jams, concerts and shows. Find your favorite genres/styles, but listen to and try them all, sometimes you’ll find inspiration where you least expect it, plus it’ll make you a well-rounded musician.
Miro performs as part of a jazz trio at Big Night 2023
What do you like to do when you’re not at People’s?
Music-wise, I teach at the Merit School of Music and work with the deaf and hard of hearing community through FHSR. I also enjoy going to concerts, music jams and performing with a few bands. Super Tease which is pop funk; Aaron Leese & The Panhandlers, which is New Orleans jazz and blues; with my friend Hannah Sandoz, who makes alternative folk music; and, fingers crossed, a solo project coming soon!
Outside of music, I play on two pool league teams, basketball, I love going camping and am currently exploring film photography!