Our website translation project would not have been possible without the hard work of Elemental Music's newest staff member, Juanita Devis.
As an alumni parent, Juanita is very familiar with our organization. Juanita spoke to us a bit about her ties to Elemental Music and her work as a translator. Get to know more about her below!
EM: We are thrilled to welcome you to the Elemental Music team! Can you tell us a little bit about your history with Elemental Music?
JD: Thank you so much for this warm welcome!
I wish I had known about Elemental Music when my twin boys were in 3rd grade so I would have enrolled them in the Prelude Program, but as soon as I heard about the program when they were in 5th grade, I knew that it was what we were looking for. For four years our boys grew in musicianship and I made long lasting friendships. We were sad when it ended and they had to move on to High School. I, however, always stayed in touch, volunteering with translations, until I was lucky enough this year to be asked officially to be part of the team.
EM: What has Elemental Music meant to you and your family?
JD: My husband studied music in college and plays the violin so we wanted the boys to play and enjoy music as well. We had tried another organization but we were not satisfied with the way they taught small children. Once our boys started at Elemental Music the whole family loved the experience. Elemental Music has helped my family to enjoy music together and be part of the Santa Monica music community.
EM: Why do you think music and arts education is so important?
JD: Standardized education can sometimes lack creativity, and music and the arts can fill that void. For this generation of students that spends more and more time distracted by screens, music and arts develop parts of the brain that other activities can’t and give our children the opportunity to socialize and be part of a team. In my personal experience music has helped my children to focus more, learn easily, develop more patience, and be less afraid in front of an audience.
EM: How did you first get started doing translation work?
JD: When I came to the US about 20 years ago one of the very first jobs I had was as an interpreter for a company called Certified Interpreters. I worked for them for many years until I had my children and decided to go back to school. I continued to do occasional translation work when requested, people would recommend my services due to the quality of my work, and I would stay busy by word of mouth. After I finished college I was hired as a Bilingual Community Liaison for SMMUSD and in that job I had the opportunity to do a lot of translation and interpretation work.
EM: I know that you were a Bilingual Community Liaison for SMMUSD, and now you are also working as a liaison with us. What do you love about working as an interpreter?
JD: I love helping the community that welcomed me when I arrived from Colombia. My children were born here in Santa Monica and I have been lucky to be able to participate as an active parent in the community. Being a Bilingual Community Liaison gave me the opportunity to give back and help others who really needed it. I know how it is to not speak the local language and how hard it is to navigate an unfamiliar system, so helping others to communicate comes naturally to me.
EM: Is there anything else you’d like to add?
JD: I am very grateful for the opportunity to work with Elemental Music and I hope that I can serve as a Translator Liaison for many years to come. I believe in this program and have witnessed its benefits with my own children. ¡I feel very lucky to be welcomed to the Elemental Music team!