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Conversations with Joseph McMullen

Source: OrlandoVoyager.com

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joseph McMullen

Hi Joseph, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
When I was in high school and in my senior year – I applied for admission to Florida A&M University. While I was accepted for admission, my financial aid was all pending. So, coming from a single parent household and I knew financial aid was critical to attend college and I was lost to what the next step would be. My mother said, see Mr. Tolbert (My high school Band Director) who had gone to another school. When I shared my plight with Mr. Tolbert, the next words he said to me changed my life forever and what drives HAPCO to this day.

“Son, you go to FAMU, and if your financial aid does not come through, call me, and I will take care of the situation.”

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has been a journey (UPS and DOWNS / WINS and FAILURES) and I love every step – What of my favorite quotes –

“You have to work hard to discover how to work smart. You won’t know the best solutions until you’ve made nearly all the mistakes.”

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
HAPCO programs give young people real-world experience, education and mentorship from industry professionals. We are building futures through music, culinary and arts education in Florida, Georgia and Texas

HAPCO Master Classes –

In HAPCO master classes, middle and high school musicians learn from industry pros and university level educators, who emphasize technique, live performance, improv, entrepreneurship, college prep, home studio and careers. Students expand their networks of peers and mentors and improve their talents to help them pay for college through music scholarships.

Master Classes include:

  • Percussion | LeNard Rutledge
  • See the Sound | Mickey Smith, Jr.
  • Performance & Improv | Jeff Rupert
  • The DeRosa Method for Music Educators | Rich DeRosa
  • Trombone Master Class | Derrick Harris
  • Composer-in-Residence Experience | One Stop Rhythm Shop | Michele Fernández
  • Entrepreneurship & Home Studio | Dr. José Valentino & Derris Lee
  • Powerhouse Improv | Wycliffe Gordon
  • Bandstand Rhythm Section | Brandon Robertson
  • College: Auditions, Applications, Scholarships, Majors (and Minors!) | Scott Wilson

HAPCO Culinary Arts provides free training and mentoring to disadvantaged young people who are pursuing culinary arts careers. It also provides free nutrition education and cooking classes through in-person and online classes.

HAPCO LIVE: Our student musicians entertained live at over 55 Central Florida performances. Through LIVE, student musicians are connected with businesses, venues and civic events for public performance. Performance fees are paid directly to our musicians, providing them income and performance experience; the majority of our performers are in college.

HAPCO Scholarships – Through our Kenneth R. Tolbert Scholarship Fund, we award full and partial scholarships to disadvantaged young people for fee-based programs including music lessons and general support.

HAPCO Instrument Donations – HAPCO connects student musicians with donated musical instruments. We refurbish unwanted or damaged instruments. We provide instruments to individuals who cannot afford their own instrument as well as place unwanted instruments such as pianos and organs in local community centers and churches.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
We don’t take risk, but we work hard because we love what we do –

“In my whole life I’ve never been good at something I wasn’t very interested in. It just doesn’t work. There’s no substitute for strong interest.”

Pricing:

  • Most our events are FREE to all to attend

Contact Info: