The Human Gesture: Creative Musician Portraits Honoring the Artists of Villa Musica
Lilith. Photograph: ©Steven Wade Adams, 2024
Introduction: A Commission to Honor the Faculty Who Make Villa Musica Possible
As technology advances and our lives become more complex and automated, social isolation has become increasingly common. Our basic human need for connection is at risk, and it is no surprise that rates of depression have risen dramatically across the globe. Villa Musica—a San Diego–based nonprofit community music center—exists in direct response to this growing disconnection. Their mission is to create connection through music, ensuring that people of all ages and backgrounds have access to creativity, community, and belonging.
In early conversations with Villa Musica’s leadership, it became clear that a special project was needed to celebrate and honor the extraordinary faculty who make this mission possible. This portrait series thus began as a commissioned effort to recognize these artists—not only as instructors, but as individuals whose personalities, passions, and stories shape the spirit of Villa Musica. This work now culminates in an exhibition titled The Human Gesture, created to commemorate the organization’s 20th anniversary in 2025.
Alexandra Huryn, Violin. Photograph: ©Steven Wade Adams 2024
Jesus Cervantes, Violin. Photograph: ©Steven Wade Adams, 2024.
Villa Musica: A Community Built Through Creativity and Connection
Villa Musica is committed to making music accessible through education, performance, and community engagement. Their faculty is the driving force behind this mission. These musicians understand that social connection—and ultimately harmony within a community—cannot be achieved in isolation. Through lessons, ensembles, and outreach programs, they provide pathways for people to create together, learn from one another, and experience a sense of belonging.
While some students pay for lessons, Villa Musica extends the same high-quality instruction to underserved communities across the region. None of this would be possible without the talented administrators and instructors who bring their compassion, artistry, and life experience into the organization every day.
This portrait project was designed to honor these remarkable educators, celebrate their individuality, and highlight their essential contributions to Villa Musica’s impact on the wider San Diego community.
Valerie McElroy, Flute and Conductor. Photograph: ©Steven Wade Adams, 2024.
A Shared Vision: Collaboration to Celebrate Identity and Diversity
During my initial meeting with Executive Director Fiona Chatwin, we immediately aligned on the vision for this project. Together, we explored Villa Musica’s mission, current communication strategies, and the desire to more clearly convey the transformative impact of their work on individuals and communities.
Fiona Chatwin, Executive Director, Villa Musica. Photograph: ©Steven Wade Adams, 2024.
Our collaboration led to the development of a longer-term strategic plan for storytelling—one that begins with this portrait series and will continue into additional photographic and video projects as Villa Musica approaches its 20-year milestone.
At the center of these conversations was a shared goal: to depict the real, human contribution and foundation of Villa Musica’s work by honoring the individuals whose artistry and dedication make the organization’s impact possible.
Musician Portrait Photography: A Collaborative, Documentary Approach
The first step in this strategy was to create a unified collection of portraits for Villa Musica’s faculty—images that could be used across social media, website communications, donor outreach, and community engagement.
We agreed from the beginning that these could not be traditional headshots. Instead, I approached this as a documentary portrait project, spending meaningful time with each faculty member to understand their unique personalities and relationship to music.
Andre Beller, Double Bass. Photograph: ©Steven Wade Adams, 2024.
This approach shaped the final portraits:
Some lean formal, capturing the dignity and presence of the artists.
Others are exploratory and creative, reflecting the unique personality of each musician.
All maintain a unified aesthetic connected to Villa Musica’s mission.
The conversations during each session provided invaluable insight. The personal stories and diverse artistic journeys deeply influenced decisions about composition, setting, lighting, and mood. My goal was always the same: to create portraits that honor individuality while reflecting a shared commitment to community.
Jessie Neuffer, Voice. Photograph: ©Steven Wade Adams, 2024.
Finding Meaningful Spaces Within Villa Musica
Because this project involved more than 30 artists, we photographed entirely on location within Villa Musica’s various teaching spaces. Practice rooms, classrooms, hallways, and performance spaces each became unique environments to explore.
These familiar settings allowed faculty to feel comfortable and genuine, revealing aspects of their identities shaped by the environment in which they teach and create.
Whether a musician stood in a quiet practice room or a bustling hallway echoing with scales, each portrait reflects both the individual and the collective spirit of the music center.
Jesus Cervantes, Violin. Photograph: ©Steven Wade Adams, 2024.
Jude Weirmeir, Guitar. Photograph: ©Steven Wade Adams, 2024.
Valerie McElroy, Flute and Conductor. Photograph: ©Steven Wade Adams, 2024.
Nathalie Galvez, Violin. Photograph: ©Steven Wade Adams, 2024.
Musical Instruments as Extensions of Identity
David Aguila, Trumpet. Photograph: ©Steven Wade Adams, 2024.
Steve Willard, Guitar and Ukelele. Photograph: ©Steven Wade Adams, 2024.
For many musicians, their instrument is an extension of their body, voice, and emotional world. While some portraits prominently feature instruments as expressive elements, the focus remains on the person behind the music—their character, their story, and their presence.
Some instructors held their instruments with a sense of intimacy and reverence. Others moved with rhythm, gesture, or playful spontaneity. Each approach informed a portrait that reveals not only musical skill but also the emotional landscape of the artist.
Devin Burnworth, Trombone. Photograph: ©Steven Wade Adams, 2024.
Alexander Oliver, Piano. Photograph: ©Steven Wade Adams, 2024.
The Final Reveal of Musician Portraits: A Visual Story of Connection
After countless hours photographing and editing, the strongest portraits—those that most clearly honored each artist’s personality and contribution—were selected for exhibition. These images form the foundation of The Human Gesture, a series created to celebrate Villa Musica’s 20th anniversary in 2025.
It is my hope that students, families, supporters, and visitors will see these portraits not only as representations of instructors, but as reflections of passionate artists who give life to the organization’s mission.
This work is a visual acknowledgment of the people whose dedication has made Villa Musica an essential part of the San Diego community.
Zoey Jones, Piano and keyboard. Photograph: ©Steven Wade Adams, 2024.
Mike, Percussion. Photograph: ©Steven Wade Adams, 2024.
A Meaningful Collaboration in Humanitarian and Community Photography
This project shares deep parallels with my humanitarian work around the world. In every assignment—whether in a clinic, a village, or a music room—the goal is to honor individuals, understand their lived experiences, and create images that reveal something essential and human.
Chiara Capobianco, Harp. Photograph: ©Steven Wade Adams, 2024.
My time with the faculty at Villa Musica was a reminder of this: connection emerges when people feel seen, respected, and understood. I am grateful for the trust each instructor extended during the process, allowing me to create portraits that reflect their authenticity.
This collaboration illustrates how strategic storytelling and creative portraiture can advance a nonprofit’s mission in meaningful ways.
Clarissa Fallorina, Trumpet. Photograph: ©Steven Wade Adams, 2024.
In Closing: A Tribute to the Artists of Villa Musica
Through these musician portraits, we celebrate not only the impact of music education in San Diego but also the extraordinary individuals who bring that impact to life. Their dedication, artistry, generosity, and community spirit are the foundation upon which Villa Musica has built its first 20 years.
Jose Rodriguez, Guitar. Photograph: ©Steven Wade Adams, 2024.
Adrian Holtz, Double Bass. Photograph: ©Steven Wade Adams, 2024.
The Human Gesture stands as a heartfelt tribute to these educators—their stories, their identities, and their shared commitment to the transformative power of music.
The images here represent only a portion of the larger portrait series created for the exhibition. Together, they honor the diverse voices and inspiring individuals who make Villa Musica’s mission possible.
Villa Musica’s faculty genuinely embodies the remarkable and transformative power of music on community engagement and development. This music photography portrait project serves to celebrate the many diverse voices and identities that together make the mission of this exceptional non-profit organization attainable and impactful.