Pride. Passion. Family. These core values are the foundation of the Westwood Warrior Band Program, and drum major Alicia Kanazawa De Figueiredo ‘25 has grown to cherish and exemplify these values throughout her journey in band, from her first experiences playing an instrument, to her important job as a leader within the Westwood program, and in her future plans in music education.
“This program means so much to me,” Figueiredo said. “As a transfer student [from Pearson Ranch], I came in and didn’t know anybody,and it was really cool to be taken in by people. The community is amazing and the directors [have] made the whole experience just so much fun and so rewarding.”
Figueiredo was inspired to join band in fifth grade after the band directors came to her elementary school to meet the students. In middle school, she continued developing her passion for music, and grew to love the band program. However, when high school came, she was unsure about participating in marching band.
“[Marching band] was very different from what I’ve done in the past. At first, I didn’t even want to march because [I thought it would be] too hard,” Figueiredo said. “So, I tried it for one year, and it was the best thing I’ve done with my life, and it’s just been so much fun.”
After discovering her love for marching, Figueiredo became a section leader to help inspire others and ignite that same passion in them.
“Looking back on my time as a section leader, I really learned how to help people and be a real leader,” Figueiredo said. “Before I was a section leader, I was really quiet and didn’t talk to people, so getting to be a leader with a big section like the flutes made me learn how to actually lead people.”
Figueiredo’s time as a section leader was her first step on the leadership path, with the next being becoming a drum major. With a nerve wracking audition process and a heavy time commitment, being drum major is no easy task.
“I didn’t want to become a drum major at first because I really liked marching,” Figueiredo said. “[Marching] was my favorite part about band, but I realized how important it was to be a leader and to help the program succeed.”
Despite having to give up the major aspect of marching to become a drum major, Figueiredo worked hard to achieve the position, and was able to find the rewarding aspects.
“It was really rewarding: being able to conduct, run sectionals, helping the directors, and just being able to take initiative and help the band get better was really nice,” Figueiredo said. “I also really liked working with the drum major team because we all had really great ideas that we wanted to implement, and we worked well together.”
Drum majors juggle many responsibilities for the band program. Although conducting on the field is a crucial part, Figueiredo worked hard to take her leadership further by making an effort to connect with each member.
“Being a drum major is about taking initiative and doing what you want to see in the band,” Figueiredo said. “The big commitment comes from emotionally being involved and wanting to change the band [for the better]. Putting in that extra time, coming up with ideas for the band, meeting with the other drum majors, fixing problems, and just being active all the time, isn’t something every drum major [is required to do], but it’s really important to excel and really help the band.”
Through her experiences in high school, Figueiredo’s passion for music and band has grown. After senior year, she plans on attending Stephen F. Austin State University for music education where she will continue pursuing what she loves.
“I want to be a band director someday because Ms. Dacy and Mr. Winters have really inspired me,” Figueiredo said. “I just love making music with other people and the leadership aspect as well, so I want to keep doing this for the rest of my life.”
