On Tuesday, April 22, University of Miami students welcomed musician and former Disney Channel star, Ross Lynch to talk about his career, life lessons, and even play an acoustic performance. If you haven’t kept up with Lynch since his Disney Channel days, he spoke on what he has been up to, including forming a new band with his brother.
“A Conversation... with Ross Lynch” was this years’ signature event for the spring semester of Student Government’s What Matters to U (WMTU). This year's talk was moderated by two graduating student leaders, School of Communications student Lauren Ferrer and Frost School of Music student, Alexandra Carrington. Together, the two of them were able to foster dialogue that students could relate to as they steered the conversation to highlight both his professional and musical experiences.
Alexandra Carrington (left) and Lauren Ferrer (right) throw up the 'U' with Ross Lynch after the interview porition of the evening. Photo: Gaby Torna/Univerisity of Miami
Lynch certainly had an impact on the university's undergraduate population as he was a prominent figure in many student’s childhoods. He played the leading role in the hit Disney Channel show ‘Austin and Ally’ which aired from 2011 to 2015. Lynch also starred in one of the most successful Disney Channel Original Movies of all time, ‘Teen Beach Movie,’ which aired in the summer of 2013 and its sequel two years later. Lynch creatively brings humor and music together which ma him an entertainer that people could relate to. “It feels good that I was a positive factor in people’s lives,” Lynch added. He is also known for his work portraying Jeffery Dahmer in 'My Friend Dahmer' and Harvey in the Netflix series, ‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.’ While reflecting on his career and where he is now, Lynch sees himself doing more, continuing to entertain his fans and work in the industry, “I know my work is not done yet. My job didn’t end with Disney,” states Lynch.
The evening finished with a surprise visit from Lynch’s brother, Rocky, the other half of the brotherly duo behind The Driver Era, Lynch’s newest music group. The alternative/indie pop band has been on tour since January and will remain throughout the summer. Together, they performed five songs that avid fans of the group were thrilled to hear live. “We love performing songs we haven’t practiced,” Lynch added after a fan requested ‘A Preacher Man,’ a song the duo admitted to never performing acoustically. Along with The Driver Era, Lynch surprised the crowd with throwbacks from his Disney Channel days, including two songs from the ‘Teen Beach Movie’ franchise, ‘On My Own’ and ‘Cruisin’ for a Bruisin.’
After just over an hour and a half of music and conversation, Lynch left the Shalala Student Center Ballroom on Tuesday evening with a message for students that he too, focuses on often, “Lots of people will tell you what you can do. But you gotta trust your intuition because only you know what’s best for you.”
