By Rene David Basulto - Monsignor Edward Pace HS
Msgr. Edward Pace High School senior Gabriela Gutierrez Perez has been accepted into the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University, the University of Miami, and the University of Michigan.
MIAMI GARDENS | Msgr. Edward Pace High School senior Gabriela Gutierrez Perez may be best known among her peers for playing the violin, as she has in several on-stage performances and Open Mic Nights. However, it is her prowess with the harp that led to her being accepted to three prestigious undergraduate institutions: the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University, the University of Miami, and the University of Michigan. All three institutions have offered her scholarships of up to $40,000 per year.
Gabriela started playing the violin at age 6, took up the harp at age 12 and also plays the clarinet and piano. “I thought (the harp) was a cool instrument and I already had a background with the violin,” she said.
“She’s been playing with the South Florida Youth Orchestra for seven years and she composes her own music,” said Ross Goldman, lead teacher for Pace’s Academy of Visual & Performing Arts Music Program.
Gabriela credits Goldman and Pace for exposing her to more styles of music, which diversified and strengthened her background in classical music. She also said he also helped her greatly with how to market herself and pursue a career in music.
She added that while she doesn’t see a lot of people playing the harp, it has given her more opportunities for jobs as there is a higher demand for harpists.
“The harp is not just a beautiful instrument, it’s actually a work of engineering,” she said. “I really hope to give the harp a lot more use and I really want to bring it back.”
Gabriela has yet to decide on the school she will attend but said she does plan on applying as a double major in music and astronomy.
