How and when did you get involved with ZUMIX?
I learned about ZUMIX in 2020. I used to work with Gaby Perry, who is a fellow ZUMIX board member. Gaby found out I had a previous career in the arts, and she recommended me to Madeleine. I joined a finance committee meeting and have supported in different ways, and eventually joined the board.
What drew you to ZUMIX and our mission?
My heart and soul is always in the performing arts–I grew up a performing arts kid. Sometimes arts kids can feel pretty ostracized; they tend to have a different outlook on the world. We’re very empathetic and emotional, and we wear our emotions on our sleeves. It can be hard to find that community, especially if your school doesn’t have great arts programming.
I spent a couple of years performing professionally, and that life can be pretty difficult. I wanted to give equal importance to other things in my life, so I decided to take some time and work a traditional job. That’s how I ended up in banking. And after working in this industry for a while, I found a new way to embrace the arts side of my life. I sing with the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus. And I believe it’s important to provide and support that artistic space for young people. So both those things are a touchpoint to the arts, even if my day to day isn’t the arts. It’s a different way of feeling the magic.
Do you have a favorite Walk for Music memory?
At the core, ZUMIX is an arts organization rooted in community. Walk for Music is the ultimate representation of that, because we’re literally filling the streets with music. We have our kids out in the street, and they’re walking to Piers Park.
It’s about visibility, and especially in today’s climate, it’s so important to show up and be visible, to say, We’ve been here; we’re going to stay here. We’re not going anywhere. We’re going to do this work because it’s the right thing to do. It’s a fundraiser and a campaign, but it’s also a community event.
What’s the best part of the Walk itself?
Last year, in Piers Park, we had the mayor and several local politicians come and sing the praises of ZUMIX. That made me step back and say, This is a big city and we’re making an impact in a big way. Those politicians spent some time with us, talking with the students and board members.
ZUMIX has had a lot of success over the last 34 years. When I talk to people about us, by and large, they know who we are and what we do.
Why do you Walk for Music?
I like the camaraderie and the community. And it’s a good way to embody the mission of ZUMIX in a very real way. A lot of the work I do for ZUMIX is high-level, and it can feel removed from the classes or the day-to-day work. So it’s really special to see it all come together.
Being at the Walk, watching the community in real time–laughing together, hanging out, playing music, enjoying life–it’s all because of ZUMIX. It takes shape in a different way when you’re there.
Andrew Secker is the chair of the ZUMIX board, a musician and performer, and vice president of relationship management at J.P. Morgan Private Client at JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Learn more about Walk for Music and donate here!
