Today we’d like to introduce you to Trinidad Agosto.
Hi Trinidad, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
While reflecting on my life, I’ve come to realize that there are three words that have described my journey thus far. Them being curiosity, tenacity, and truth. My musical journey began “late” as some people have remarked, but better late than never! I began playing guitar my sophomore year in high school and singing my senior year. It was in those classes that I had learned that going to college for singing or for guitar was a viable option. I had not known about colleges nor the possibilities offered. My family didn’t have much opportunity to attend college and therefore, it was all unknown territory. As a result, I had given into the preconceived notions of enlisting into the military, as many have done in my family before.
But music did something for me, it enriched my life, it allowed me to express myself, and it gave me joy to be challenged physically, mentally, and emotionally. I knew that I wanted to have music in my life, so I decided to go to college for music my senior year. My family supported me, but there was still concern. How was I going to make a living, or did I want to live paycheck to paycheck? Those things caused some doubt at times and certainly were a concern, but I wasn’t focused on that. I was focused on beginning my journey, I had confidence in myself and I knew what I wanted. There was no need to sow any seeds of doubt in a blossoming new journey.
I received my bachelor’s degree in vocal performance from St. Mary’s University. There I began performing in operas, guitar ensembles, instructing private music lessons, as well as being a Cantor in the surrounding churches in San Antonio. While being enrolled at St. Mary’s, I learned about the Marianists, a catholic religious order who dedicated themselves to the mission of Mary, the mother of Jesus. I had learned about this new life, and I felt compelled to explore this.
So my senior year of college, I decided to join the Marianists. I began religious formation in the fall of 2014, after graduating, and would stay until Christmas of 2015. I joined to deepen my faith, my relationship with God, and with myself. I knew I needed structure and direction, and somewhere, I felt called, so I followed.
I learned about introspection, meditation, reflection and used all of these newfound skills to become more focused and disciplined. By applying these new skills to my life, I was able to uncover so many truths, as well as approach and unlearn many habits that were not conducive to a peaceful soul. Along with that, I was able to ponder my true desires. I had realized that I had ultimately yearned to cultivate a deep and personal relationship spiritually, but to continue any longer, would take me away from my original want, my original truth. Which was to have my life centered in music.
From there, I asked myself what it was that I wanted, which was to explore music to its furthest extent and to live a life immersed in music. I had to start over again, get a car, find a job, an apartment. I found employment as a carpet and tile setter and lived on my friend’s couch for a couple of months until I saved up enough to afford rent for an apartment. I worked as a tile setter for San Antonio Tile and later as an administrative assistant for Dillard’s while I lived in San Antonio; saving up to afford graduate school. I began graduate school in 2017 at Texas State University and graduated in 2019.
I was frequently engaged in operas, choir ensembles, as well as singing as a professional church musician. I could not believe the caliber of musicianship that I had achieved. Throughout my journey, I was always trying to learn new songs, whether it be operatically, guitar, or piano, this continuously fed my desire for music. I was constantly reflecting, ensuring that I was staying true to myself and still am. I went to Germany, where I was able to participate in a summer Opera Festival after graduating with my Master’s.
Shortly after returning back to Austin, I began teaching as a preschool music teacher for St. John Neumann, taught private lessons at music and arts, after school piano with iPianolab, as well as sang with both Gilbert and Sullivan Austin and Austin Opera. I was happy and was definitely busy. But with COVID, I lost all of my jobs, seeing as they were all in-person and in-school. I kept trying to find different ways to find employment, to no avail. Almost a year later, I was hired as a private teacher at a music school way north, in cedar park, called Bach to Rock. Almost two years after COVID came and turned everything upside down, Austin Opera and Gilbert and Sullivan Austin are now resuming their seasons, and I will begin rehearsals with them in the new year. I am also an Assistant Site Director at Bach to Rock music school in Cedar Park. I just kept trying to stay true to myself. At times, I wasn’t true, and I had to learn about it in ways I hadn’t expected. I plan on continuous growth, both as a person and as a musician, this life is not yet over, and I can’t wait for what is to come.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Not by a long shot, many of the “bumps” or “detours” have been placed there by my own hands, whether by curiosity or by misjudgment. I would say doubt has been a big theme, but during COVID, I had plenty of time to sit down, bring it back to the basics and reflect, meditate, and ponder. We can live with our fears, yes, but we can also live with our dreams simultaneously.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a music teacher, I teach Piano, Voice, Guitar, Ukulele at Bach to Rock School of Music. Officially, I am an Opera singer, but I would also say musician. I sing professionally with Austin Opera as well as with Gilbert and Sullivan Austin, a local Austin Opera company. I have also sung in special ceremonies, such as ordinations, weddings, and funerals.
Some events that I am involved in would be promoting Bach to Rock year round and learning music for Austin Opera and Gilbert and Sullivan Austin. I will be singing with Austin Opera in February. We will be performing Beethoven’s opera, Fidelio. Wonderful work, please do come check it out if you have the time. I will also be performing as Dr. Daly from Gilbert and Sullivan’s work: The Sorcerer. So definitely do come check out the shows, you will be in for a treat!
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I am a lefty, I guess we are a rare breed, us lefties! And boy that’s something I am proud of! Another thing would be that I’ve traveled to six different countries other than the United States. The world is a grand place, there is so much to see and experience!
Contact Info:
- Email: trinidadagosto@gmail.com
