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Nogales native Diego Leyva to pursue master’s at Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins
Summary
In a community-spotlight interview, 22-year-old Nogales native Diego Leyva described his path from Rio Rico and the University of Arizona to a master’s program at the Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University, citing intense practice during COVID and ambitions to teach and compose professionally.
Natalia Flores, host of the community spotlight program, introduced Diego Leyva, 22, a Nogales native who said he will pursue a master’s degree at the Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University. Samoyed Samoyed Acosta co-hosted the interview.
Leyva told the hosts he grew up in Nogales and Rio Rico and attended Rio Rico High School before studying music at the University of Arizona, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in music composition. He said he intends to pursue graduate study at the Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University.
The interview focused on Leyva’s musical development and advice for others. Leyva said he began seriously learning guitar during the COVID-19 pandemic after watching a video of guitarist Steve Vai and that his practice expanded to “about eight, nine hours a day” while he taught himself and studied the instrument. “Put your entirety into it just because it is a very, very competitive field,” Leyva said. “But don’t be afraid to pursue your dreams.”
Leyva said the decision to continue in music was reinforced by professors at the University of Arizona who had built careers that included teaching and outside commissions. “There were times where I was like, is this really something that would get me where I need to be in life?” he said. “Ultimately, I came to the conclusion that, yes, it is.”
On career goals, Leyva said he aspires to be a university professor at a high-profile music school and to work as a composer in residence for symphonies, taking commissions and composing for ensembles. “I would definitely love to be a professor at a university like Johns Hopkins or Yale or Juilliard,” he said.
Hosts closed by thanking Leyva and wishing him luck; Leyva reiterated his connection to his hometown, saying he will not forget the place where he was raised. The interview did not specify enrollment dates, scholarship details, financial aid, or other administrative arrangements for his graduate study.
