“I always knew I wanted to be in the music world,” says Alec Waugh, longtime music teacher at Revere High School.
“My mom was a teacher for a long time and always loved it, and she was never bored. I went to UMass Lowell for sound recording technology, studying the equipment and the ins and outs of working in a music studio. But I decided I wanted to be with people, not just with a computer or machinery. Now I have a job where I work with young people, and it’s a little bit different each day.”
This is Waugh’s 23rd year working at Revere High, where he teaches music classes, directs ensembles, and helps students discover their musical passions. During that time, he’s connected countless students to ZUMIX, helping to build a thriving partnership between the two places.
“I think of ZUMIX as a magical environment,” Alec says. “It’s really the best third space a young person can have, where they just get to be themselves and be creative and have their experiences validated, and be given the resources they need to grow. ZUMIX offers something the schools can’t offer–a space that’s open after school hours, a community space where we can find ways to pull in more people.”
Waugh recalls visiting the former ZUMIX location on Maverick Street: running workshops, introducing students to ZUMIX, and helping facilitate professional development sessions for Revere educators. “It’s been a great back and forth, sharing our experience and expertise with these students,” he says.
“These days, if I have a young person whom I want to connect to ZUMIX, I’ll suggest they go visit the Firehouse with another student. Getting people into the space is important. And I often have young people in my classes who can give a firsthand account of what ZUMIX is like. They can do the preaching for me! Then I’ll suggest they take private lessons, to augment the instruction they’re getting in the ensembles we offer here.”
Waugh remembers his own time as a student musician, starting as a clarinetist before switching to saxophone and eventually guitar. “I was fortunate that a few of my friends’ houses had the space–and the willing adults–to allow us to make a bunch of noise and play music,” he says, laughing. “At the time, rock and other popular genres weren’t as accepted in formal musical instruction. Now we’re starting to see rock guitar accepted as an instrument in All-State contests. Rock and pop programming in public schools is finally hitting the mainstream.”
Though Waugh appreciates the musical instruction at ZUMIX, he also loves the spirit of the space: “You can feel that positivity is cherished there,” he says. “Even if things are crazy, it feels safe, and a fun kind of crazy. The thoughtful design of the spaces, and the location–easily accessible on the T–makes a big difference. And ZUMIX staff members tend to have a good balance of freedom and responsibility.”
Partnerships like the ZUMIX-Revere High pipeline are vital to ZUMIX’s work with young people in local communities. Advocates like Waugh, who understand both the needs of their students and the ways ZUMIX can help meet those needs, build bridges that can open the door to new opportunities, creative experiences, and deeper community.
Waugh will receive the 2026 Luminary Advocate Award at ZUMIX’s 35th Anniversary Gala, The Muze: Party Like It’s 1991, coming up on Oct. 29. Learn more, buy tickets, or support the event with a gift here.