Miami Dolphins linebacker Jaelan Phillips, a former Hurricanes defensive lineman and University of Miami alumnus with a lifelong love of music, made a surprise visit last Sunday to high school students in the Frost School of Music’s Donna E. Shalala MusicReach program.
The football star came to see the results of a partnership between his Jaelan Phillips Foundation and MusicReach, which provides free music education and mentorship in critical life skills to Miami-Dade public school students, taught by Frost School student mentors. This semester, Phillips’ foundation sponsored a new music production and audio engineering mentorship for MusicReach, providing a scholarship for Frost School engineering major Jack Reilly to mentor three MusicReach high school students in potentially life-changing skills. They are Harmoni Warren and Jeremiah Aaron, cellists studying at Arthur and Polly Mays Conservatory for the Arts, and New World School of the Arts flautist Kadence Carraisco.
Though he’s famous for football, Phillips has loved and practiced music and audio production since he was young, and studied at the Frost School when he first came to the University of Miami. On Sunday, he joined Reilly and the MusicReach engineering students at Weeks Recording Studio, where they were recording original music by a MusicReach contemporary ensemble. Phillips interacted enthusiastically with the students and with Reilly and Eli Yaroch, the Frost School graduate student mentor leading the ensemble.
“This is what it’s all about - seeing these MusicReach students light up as they grow more confident in their skills as musicians and artists,” said Phillips, who started his foundation to help young people pursue music careers. “The talent in this studio is undeniable, and if these students continue to push themselves, be determined, and stay inspired, their possibilities are limitless. I’m honored that The Jaelan Phillips Foundation will play a role in showing each of these talented individuals that success is within reach - and it can be set to the soundtrack of their dreams!”
Joseph Burleson, MusicReach’s director of outreach, praised Phillips’ generosity. “Jaelan Phillips is a perfect example of how a passion for music can fuel and sustain you - no matter where life takes you,” Burleson said. “We’re grateful for The Jaelan Phillips Foundation’s support of MusicReach’s new music audio and engineering mentorship program. Our students were beyond thrilled to receive one-on-one mentorship from someone who has excelled on the football field, in the classroom, and in the music studio.”
Phillips’ fame drew Miami social media powerhouse Only in Dade as well as Sports Illustrated, which ran a story on his visit.
“People know me as a football player, but what many don't realize is that music is just as big a part of my life,” Phillips continued. “Being able to return to my alma mater, the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, where I learned so much and now to be able to mentor students who share that same passion for music is a full-circle moment for me. I want to help the next generation of musicians chase their dreams just like I did."
Phillips’ scholarship has helped not just the current generation of MusicReach recipients to achieve their dreams, but the next one. Warren has been awarded a full scholarship to study music education at the Frost School next year. She’s also been invited to join MusicReach as a Frost School mentor, teaching cello to another generation of aspiring young musicians.
