Panel of Industry Professionals Brings Knowledge — and Opportunity
Apple Valley, California (High Desert News Online) – Granite Hills High School (GHHS) was buzzing with excitement on May 15 when the campus welcomed regional Mexican urban music artist DRIAN for an exclusive music event that blended live performance, mentorship, and real-world industry networking.
The program, organized in partnership with Interscope Records, Smart Music Group, and the California Department of Education’s Office of Career Technical Education/Arts, Media, and Entertainment, gave students rare, up-close access to some of the most influential voices shaping the future of Latin and regional Mexican music. It also marked a moment in GHHS history, as the occasion will be featured in a forthcoming documentary highlighting the evolution of the genre and its growing connection with youth audiences.
A Lunchtime Concert to Remember
Students gathered in anticipation as DRIAN took the stage for a private lunchtime performance that quickly went beyond the expectations of both attendees and organizers. Known for his fusion of traditional regional Mexican influences with urban beats, DRIAN brought infectious energy and heartfelt authenticity to the GHHS quad.
Midway through his set, he broke the “performer-audience” barrier, inviting students to join him on stage to sing and play alongside him. The impromptu collaborations created a series of unscripted moments that had the crowd cheering — and for many students, it was the first time they’d performed in front of such a large, captivated audience.
One particularly memorable moment came when DRIAN reviewed a song written and produced by a GHHS student in the school’s own recording studio. Rather than just offering a few encouraging words, DRIAN praised the songwriting, shared professional tips, and publicly recognized the student’s talent — an acknowledgment that visibly boosted the young artist’s confidence.
Panel of Industry Professionals Brings Knowledge — and Opportunity
The afternoon transitioned into an exclusive session for GHHS’s advanced guitar and music production classes, offering students a rare chance to hear firsthand experiences from some of the most respected names in the music business:
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Raczon López, artist manager and founder of Smart Music Group, who has guided the careers of chart-topping acts in Latin music.
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Louis Barajas, a leading financial advisor to entertainment professionals and CEO of Business Management LAB, known for helping artists navigate the financial complexities of the music industry.
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Abelardo Rivera Levy, a two-time Latin Grammy-winning producer and engineer whose credits include some of the genre’s most celebrated recordings.
Designed as more than a lecture, the panel became a high-energy exchange of advice, real-life stories, and industry insights. Students asked pointed questions about breaking into the competitive music scene, the balance between artistry and business, and how networking plays a central role in creating opportunities.
“It’s not just about talent,” López told the students. “It’s also about relationships, consistency, and finding your voice as an artist. The connections you make and how you nurture them matter just as much as your music.”
From Advice to Action
For several GHHS students, the lessons learned translated into immediate action. One student attending a local concert shortly after the event remembered the networking advice from the panel — and successfully approached performing artists about collaborating on future projects.
Another student, Chase Sidham, took initiative by using his newly gained industry connection skills to establish contact with a Coachella promoter, a significant career breakthrough for the young aspiring collaborator and event organizer.
“It’s the kind of momentum you can only get when inspiration meets opportunity,” said Javier Alcantara-Rojas, GHHS’s GREAT (Granite Recording and Entertainment Arts Training) Academy teacher. “Our students had both on the same day.”
Clave Única: From High School Stage to a Touring Opportunity
One of the most remarkable moments of the day came when DRIAN and his team heard Clave Única, the GHHS student-led sierreño ensemble. Impressed by the group’s authentic sound and polished performance, DRIAN’s team offered to take the ensemble on tour — a nearly unprecedented opportunity for high school musicians.
“This is beyond validation,” Alcantara-Rojas said. “For a professional touring artist to offer our students the chance to share the stage in real venues changes their perception of what’s possible. This is industry access you can’t buy or replicate in a classroom.”
The invite is not just a symbolic nod to their talent. If realized, the tour could give student musicians firsthand exposure to live audiences, professional stage production settings, and the rhythm of working musicianship — an experiential education that could shape their careers for years to come.
Shaping the Next Generation of Creatives
The GHHS GREAT Academy is designed to merge arts education with technical training, preparing students for careers in music production, stage performance, entertainment business, and related fields. For the students in attendance, May 15 was a master class in every dimension of these industries.
Panelist Louis Barajas emphasized the need for artists to understand the business aspects of their career from the start:
“You can have all the talent in the world, but if you don’t manage your finances, master your contracts, and learn how the industry works behind the scenes, you risk losing control of your career. Education like this gives you an edge.”
Abelardo Rivera Levy offered a similar perspective, focusing on the creative discipline that sustains long-term careers:
“Every project you do should be an opportunity to learn, to refine your sound, and to expand your network. The more versatile and professional you are, the more doors will open for you.”
An Unforgettable Step Forward
For DRIAN, the event was about more than making an appearance; it was about creating meaningful connections with young people who have aspirations in music and entertainment.
“I see myself in these students,” DRIAN said after the show. “When I was their age, I needed guidance and I didn’t always know where to find it. To now be in a position where I can give back that guidance — it’s one of the most rewarding parts of my career.”
Students left the day with a combination of artistic inspiration, practical career advice, and, for some, tangible industry connections. As senior Chase Sidham described it:
“This wasn’t just a performance. It was the first step into the world I’ve dreamed of joining.”
The Bigger Picture: Documenting a Cultural Shift
The forthcoming documentary that will feature the GHHS event is being produced to chronicle the rapid evolution of regional Mexican music — a genre that’s becoming increasingly mainstream, blending traditional roots with urban and global influences.
By spotlighting high school students and educational programs, the film aims to explore how the next generation is inheriting and transforming these sounds. The May 15 event at GHHS serves as one of the pivotal case studies for the documentary, illustrating how direct exposure to industry leaders can accelerate students’ ambitions and skill sets.
Lasting Impact on the School and Community
For GHHS Principal and staff, the event marked a milestone in the school’s mission to connect classroom learning with professional industries. The support from high-profile partners like Interscope Records, Smart Music Group, and the California Department of Education underscores a growing recognition of the arts as a viable and important career pathway.
“This was a day that transformed our students’ view of what’s possible,” Alcantara-Rojas reflected. “To be seen by, mentored by, and connect with the highest levels of the music industry — all in one day — is beyond what we could’ve imagined for them. I know this will not just be remembered; it will be the start of something important for many of these young people.”
