The faint sound of bass fills the room as a student mixes sounds in Javier’s studio. For Javier, the studio was never just about sound, it is a space where young people could discover and find confidence in their skills. “I know what it’s like to feel like the doors are closed,” he says. Today his mission is simple, to keep the doors open for every young person who walks in.
In 2022, Javier became the studio manager of the Multicultural Center of Marin. He manages technical operations, mentors the youth, and runs youth radio shows called TAY Radio Marin and a Spanish radio show called Cuerpo Corazon Comunidad, each incorporating his goal of making the studio available for many voices. By keeping the studio doors open and offering a space for creativity, he tries to provide young people with resources they don’t have access to.
The path Javier paved was not just about skills but also about giving back. “I’m all about equity,” he explains, “and I don’t like saying no to someone just because of funds or because they don’t make the grades.” This principle is rooted in his own life experiences. Growing up in a financially unstable family, he felt frustrated by barriers in certain programs. “It was ridiculous that Media Academy restricts people from being able to pursue that and make it kind of like a luxury for something for them to get into,” he says. This desire to spread inclusivity is a strong commitment to his work at the studio.
But it was not an easy journey. Javier Vicuna’s sophomore year at San Rafael High School marked the beginning of a journey that would reshape his life. The loss of his brother during his sophomore year led to many mental health challenges that affected his academics and forced him to rethink his path. Yet, through this hardship, Javier did not just find a career in audio engineering, but a dedication to making creative opportunities available to others.
The turning point came when he discovered SR’s theater program.
“I was really going through it,” he admits, his voice softening as he reflects on the struggles after his brother’s passing. Javier played many sports, however, he wanted to try something different and turned to theater where he found a new calling. “I never really had any experience getting into theater or really wanting to go into theater,” he says, but the theater’s sound mixing system became an escape for him. He became fascinated with audio engineering and became the sound operator for many school productions. “I always knew that audio engineers existed, but no one ever told me the resources that were available to me,” he says.
The theater program’s open doors offered Javier a place to learn audio skills and find comfort and meaning during a difficult time in his life. Mr. Castle, who passed away in 2021, encouraged him to pursue his passion. “I’ll always remember that,” he says, recalling Mr. Castle’s words that would stick with him forever: “You’re really good at this. You should keep pursuing this type of work.” These affirmations established his interest in audio, guiding him to study digital media and broadcasting at Santa Rosa Junior College and San Francisco State University.
Kevin Allen, one of his mentors, reflects, “I feel like I would not have stayed in teaching as long as I had if I had not met Javier.” Known for his “great personality” and willingness to embrace new challenges, Javier’s eagerness to share his passions makes him a natural leader. Kevin recalls, “It just showed how much flexibility he had…playing a character much older than himself” in his senior year performance of In the Heights, a moment where Javier had to step out of his comfort zone.
Even as a senior, Javier was contracted by the San Rafael City School District to set up sound systems for many events at the Hayes Theater, getting hands-on experience. However, as Javier describes, this journey was one that he navigated on his own. “I did it all myself, I never had anyone push me to do this.”
For Javier, the lack of guidance and resources created a passion for helping young people with similar barriers. Today, as manager at the Multicultural Center of Marin, he’s made it a mission to remove those barriers for others. “I understand students don’t have money,” he says. “I just don’t want to restrict anyone, especially when it comes to creating art.”
Javier hopes to expand the youth program at the studio, one that gives young people the tools to create their own podcasts, music, and multimedia projects. He aims to help at-risk youth who may not have access to such opportunities. “I truly think that every person has some sort of creativity behind them,” he says, “but it’s just about finding the right person to show them that.”
From his own personal loss and the challenges of finding his own path in audio engineering to his current mission of inclusivity, Javier has become a mentor for many. His studio is more than just a workplace, it is a space where young people can develop skills, find support, and find their potential.
Looking back, he sees the struggles as a push forward for his growth. “If it weren’t for all the stuff that happened to me in sophomore year with my mental health decline, I mean, it saved me really,” he reflects. “I found out all by myself, I did it all by myself, and that’s one thing that I’ve always come to understand.”
