“Music has given me everything, and I’ll never stop giving it back.”
LOS ANGELES—The 19th Annual Benefit Gala for Education Through Music-Los Angeles celebrates music’s transformative power, honoring individuals who champion the arts and nurture the next generation of musicians. Among the night’s honorees was Dr. Zanaida Stewart Robles, an award-winning composer, vocalist, and educator whose passion for music education transcends classrooms and communities.
Robles’ journey into music began after her mother enrolled her in accordion lessons. While that was not the instrument of her choice, she is thankful that she had the opportunity to experience something few people have.
“Eventually, I got to do the thing I wanted to do,” she says. That thing was playing the piano, which has led to her compositions being published, studied, and performed by professional ensembles, community choirs, educational institutions, churches, and individuals worldwide.
“All of those experiences leading up to that were extremely crucial to my development and understanding the possibilities that I had,” she said.
Robles embraced each step of her musical evolution. From the accordion to the piano and becoming a music educator and advocate — these experiences taught Robles that parents play a vital role in fostering their children’s musical journeys.
“Parents need to set the foundation and show that music is important,” she said. “Have instruments in the home, model the joy of music, and let children explore at their own pace. Teachers will inspire and challenge them, but it’s the parents who create that safe space to experiment and grow.”
Robles is more than qualified to help parents navigate their children’s musical growth. Having worked in a wide range of environments, from starting a children’s choir in the San Gabriel Valley to leading music workshops in Los Angeles’ Skid Row community — each experience has shaped her teaching philosophy. “Whether I’m working with kids in underserved areas or students at privileged institutions, the need for musical validation is universal,” she said.
Her work with Street Symphony, an organization co-founded by violinist Vijay Gupta, has been especially meaningful. Robles reflected on how performing Handel’s Messiah in Skid Row transformed her perspective.
“We didn’t go in to change them—they changed us,” she said. “They taught us what resonated with them, and together, we made music. For that brief moment, you could see their spirits come alive. It’s the power of music—it connects us in ways words cannot.”
That transformative power is why Robles believes music belongs in every home and school. “Some kids are told music isn’t a viable path, but I’m here to say otherwise,” she said. “If you’re good, you can make a career out of it. Music is not just about entertainment—it’s about connection, expression, and healing.”
Robles expressed her gratitude to Education Through Music-Los Angeles for recognizing her contributions. “It’s a blessing to be where I am and to share this journey with so many communities,” she said. “Music has given me everything, and I’ll never stop giving it back.”
Education Through Music-Los Angeles provides music education to underserved schools, ensuring every child has the chance to experience the joy and discipline of music. The annual gala celebrates individuals like Dr. Robles, whose work exemplifies the organization’s mission of transforming lives through music.
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