Justin Velez has spent his whole life surrounded by the influence of music. Growing up, his grandfather - a world-touring Peruvian musician from the group Karygma Canta - imbued Justin not only with a love for music but also with the way music is shaped by cultures and environments. This love propelled a lifelong passion for studying music theory and performance in many different cultures, focusing widely on the impact of different environmental regions on the musical instrumentation of a culture (and yes, he'd love to talk with you about it!). Justin has been a multi-instrumentalist since he was 10 years old and has been performing in a variety of groups for just as long. From Sunday services at churches, to serving in 36-piece bands alongside his grandfather, and onward to orchestration with friends he's made in his musical career through college. His passion for music coincides with his love for learning and teaching, and has propelled him to be an eager member of Crowden Music Center.