For Joyce Matanguihan ‘19, The People’s Music School was a home away from home. It was a place where she could express herself through music, connect with friends, and grow into the person and educator she is today. As a first grade teacher who teaches piano lessons on the side, Joyce hopes to pass along the same opportunities that changed her life; ensuring that other young people, regardless of their circumstances, can experience the joy, creativity, and possibility that music brings.
Early years & joining The People’s Music School
Young Joyce Matanguihan performs the harp at a recital at Uptown Academy
Joyce Matanguihan grew up in Uptown, right around the corner from The People’s Music School’s Uptown Academy. She was just five years old when she first stepped inside to watch her older cousin, Katrina Ortaliza, perform at a concert. A few years later, once she was old enough to join, her mother waited in line to secure her enrollment: “When the time came for our age and everything to be able to join, our mom lined up right away for the enrollment lottery, and we finally got in!”
Joyce began her music education at TPMS studying piano. When a harp was later donated to the school, her instructors recognized her potential on piano and invited her to try it, making her one of the school’s earliest harp students.
Over the years, The People’s Music School became an integral part of her family’s life. All three of her younger brothers—Mark (who studied drums), Nathan (who studied piano and participated in SLAM), and Leonardo (who is currently a viola student in SLAM and attended the Blue Lake fine arts camp as a 2026 Summer Ambassador)—followed in her footsteps.
Beyond taking lessons and doing homework in the school hallways, Joyce and her family regularly volunteered and completed service hours to support the school: “My mom could just drop us off here, but also she knew she was here volunteering all the time, and we were doing service hours and giving back to Peoples as much as we can, too, so we were just always here.”
Discovering her community
Joyce, far left, smiles with fellow TPMS classmates during a Big Night gala dress rehearsal
As a self-described shy child, Joyce found that learning an instrument gave her a voice. “I definitely did not talk a lot as a kid. Music helped me express myself, even if I couldn’t fully put into words how I felt.”
Being a part of an ensemble also helped foster community: “People’s gave me that outlet to be more social, and also connect with people. It was the first place that I was able to play instruments with other people, too.”
During high school, Joyce joined the Service, Leadership, Artistry, and Mentorship (SLAM) program as one of its inaugural participants. Through the program, she participated in masterclasses led by visiting professional artists, played in jazz ensembles and orchestra, and performed at Big Night galas. Not only did SLAM afford her new opportunities to push herself musically, but it allowed her to form friendships with other SLAM students. “When SLAM came around, a whole group of us would hang out, have jam sessions in practice rooms, and just play music together.”
The importance of mentorship
During this time, Joyce also began mentoring younger students by assisting instructor Soo Young Kim with group piano lessons through SLAM. This hands-on experience sparked her interest in teaching. She also formed a deep bond with her ensemble teacher Dominique Lewis, describing him as a formative role model: “He really helped me out as a musician and also as a person.”
About the school’s founder, Dr. Rita Simó, Joyce remembers feeling proud (and nervous) that she was able to perform her jury exam for her.
“Rita was the most talented human being on the planet. I love that she was able to give this gift to me, and give back to everyone here.”
Life after People's
Joyce attended Augustana College and graduated in 2023. Thanks to the rigorous training she received at The People’s Music School, she was awarded music performance scholarships for both piano and harp.
Today, Joyce lives in Rock Island, Illinois and is a first grade teacher. Driven by her desire to extend the same educational opportunities she received, she also recently began teaching private piano lessons over the summer.
“The biggest reason why I wanted to become a teacher was to give opportunities to students,” Joyce says. “I wouldn’t be here without the opportunities that were given to me, so I want to be able to give that back to other people that grew up like I did. No matter the circumstances, I want people to have the same opportunities in education and music education as I did.
“Music is joyful, and it’s a great skill to have, a great skill to learn, and it just brings happiness and creativity to the world.”
Looking to the future
Joyce is eager to continue to have music a part of her life. She plans to save up for Lyon & Healy’s rent-to-own harp program so she can own an instrument and rejoin a community orchestra or ensemble. She even wonders if one day, she could open her own music studio modeled after The People’s Music School – a safe space offering free music instruction, community connection, and a place for students to study and collaborate after school.
“People’s has just been such a big part of my life, I don’t know where I would be without it. It was really my second home. It’s shaped who I am as a person, who I am as a teacher. And all the different techniques that I’ve learned as a musician – the dedication, the passion, and the discipline that comes with learning an instrument. And then on top of that, all the other opportunities that it gave me. I literally would not be where I am without People’s.”