"Music, to me, is a gateway to happiness."

My name is Gregory Miguel Padilla and I am 18 years old. I started playing bass when I was in 5th grade. Once I started getting lessons, I fell in love with bass. In middle school, I realized that music was my gateway to happiness and that I must pursue it.

 During my time in the school district, I played for many ensembles. These include: All City Middle School Orchestra, Temple Community Music Scholars Program Orchestra, All City Jazz, All City High School Orchestra, Youth Chamber Orchestra of Temple Prep, District, Region, and State Orchestras. I also played for the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra for about 3 years. 

High School was certainly transformative experience for me. I was a part of the Primavera Fund, All City Fellowship, and a PMAY Artist. These organizations have created the person I am today, and I cannot thank them enough. I would also like to thank my mentor and teacher Joseph Conyers, Assistant Principal bassist of the Philadelphia Orchestra for always helping me throughout high school and teaching me how to accomplish my dream; without him I would be lost. It’s because of Mr. Conyers, The Primavera Fund, and all the organizations and educators in Philadelphia giving me unconditional support, that I am a student at the New England Conservatory of Music, studying with Thomas Van Dyck, bassist in the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Music changes lives. To many, its the reason we wake up in the morning, it’s one of the most beautiful things on this planet. I want to be able to do this for the rest of my life because like I said, music is a gateway to happiness. Because of all the support I received, I would like to give back to the community. In my time at the New England Conservatory of music, I have already made steps to aid the community by assisting in NEC Prep School, and mentoring in the BEAM program here in Boston.