Today we’d like to introduce you to Alonzo Julian.
Hi Alonzo, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey did not begin with trophies, titles, or recognition. It began with failure. Early in my college career, I flunked out. I lost my direction, my stability, and eventually my place to live. I experienced homelessness at a time when I was supposed to be “figuring life out.” I had every reason to give up, and honestly, many people expected me to. But somewhere at that lowest moment, I made a decision: I could either stay down, or fight for the life I dreamed of.
I chose to fight.
Originally from Kalamazoo, Michigan, I carried that Midwest grit with me as I picked myself up, returned to school, and recommitted to music—not because it was easy, but because it was who I was. I went on to graduate from Allen University, a milestone that represented far more than a degree; it symbolized resilience, redemption, and evidence that my past did not dictate my future.
At the time, I never wanted to be a teacher. My dream was to be a thriving professional flute player in the industry, performing and building a name for myself. Teaching wasn’t part of the plan.
But life has a way of redirecting us.
While pursuing my master’s degree, something unexpected happened: I fell in love with band directing all over again. Not just the music—but the students, the growth, the impact. I realized that standing in front of a band, shaping sound, discipline, confidence, and culture, was just as powerful as standing on any stage. Teaching stopped feeling like a backup plan and started feeling like a calling.
Today, I am proud to serve as the current band director at Cross Keys High School. Since arriving, I have worked relentlessly to grow the band program—musically, structurally, and culturally. We have increased participation, raised expectations, and built a program rooted in excellence, pride, and accountability.
A large part of my work is with Hispanic students and families, many of whom face challenges far beyond the band room. Through music, students who once felt unseen now feel empowered. Music has become a language of confidence, belonging, and opportunity—especially during a time when so much is uncertain in America. In our band room, students learn more than notes and rhythms; they learn discipline, teamwork, and belief in themselves.
The results speak for themselves.
Our program has earned multiple awards and recognitions, and we have been honored by the City of Brookhaven for our excellence, service, and community presence. But what’s more important than the plaques are the lives changed—the students who now see college as a possibility, leadership as attainable, and success as something within reach.
I am living proof that failure does not define you—your response to it does. From flunking out of college, to homelessness, to rediscovering my purpose, my journey has shaped the educator and leader I am today. I stand before my students not just as a band director, but as someone who understands struggle, resilience, and the power of second chances.
And every day, through music, we continue to rise.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
The quality that has been most important to my success is resilience.
Talent opened doors, but resilience kept me moving when those doors slammed shut. When I flunked out of college, became homeless, and watched my original dreams fall apart, resilience is what allowed me to get back up when quitting would have been easier and more understandable. It gave me the strength to look at failure not as an ending, but as instruction.
Resilience taught me how to adapt. When I realized that my original plan of being a professional flute player was changing, resilience allowed me to embrace a new calling instead of resenting it. It helped me fall back in love with band directing and see teaching not as a limitation, but as a platform for impact.
As a band director, resilience shows up daily—in rebuilding programs, reaching students who are struggling, navigating limited resources, and advocating for students whose voices are often overlooked. Working with Hispanic students and families, resilience means showing up consistently, earning trust, and believing in their potential even when circumstances say otherwise.
Resilience also means accountability. It means owning mistakes, learning from them, and modeling perseverance for my students. I want them to see that success is not about a perfect path, but about persistence, discipline, and faith in oneself.
Ultimately, resilience has shaped not only my career, but my leadership. It is the reason I am able to grow programs, inspire students, and continue pushing forward no matter the obstacles. My story—and my success—are built on the decision to keep going.
Pricing:
- Donating to our High School Band Program! Any little bit helps.
- I am a flute player as well and will charge $150 to play anythung for anyone at any given moment. From Rnb to Classical. I can play it all.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iheart_zo?igsh=MTB1NTNxa3ZuZW02bQ==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1GhQDxkQB9/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Image Credits
Asher Thomas
