From Music Teacher to Music Supervisor, it’s all in the Passion

A few years ago, Stefano Graziano spent his time at Boston University running between the Fine Arts and Arts and Sciences buildings, instruments and papers flying through the air as he attempted to make it on time to teach one of his many music classes - whether on jazz, the Middle Ages, or the Renaissance. Today, Graziano takes a back seat to BU’s student life, but still manages to find time in the classroom to stimulate his passion for teaching.

“Now, I simply supervise student work. I assist students and patrons, not so much teach them,” said Graziano, sitting at his desk behind the Mugar Music Library window where he now works as an evening and weekend supervisor.

“Professors sometimes still ask me to come to their classes to teach and do demonstrations, and I’m always willing to do so. I enjoy interacting with students because even while teaching, you’re learning so much,” Graziano said.

Graziano, who lived in Italy before coming to the U.S. to attend Berkley University, studied jazz and got his Masters in Musicology before being offered the position as director of the music ensemble at Southwestern University in Texas. In 1999, he came to Boston University to finish his studies on Renaissance music and 16th Century instruments. He has taught for over 21 years, and enjoys working with professors and students alike. According to Graziano, age does not matter when it comes to the exchanging of knowledge.

“Art is like a heart, if any part of it ceases to exist, it will die. That’s why I’m interested in all aspects of music – the history, the art itself, the philosophy,” said Graziano. “Even as a professional, there’s always something new to learn.”

As a supervisor, Graziano finds more time for himself to continue his personal studies, and has recently found a hobby in playing the guitar. He hopes to compile a study on how the guitar influenced the sounds of jazz during the 1920s.

Although his job now requires Graziano to aid students only when they need general assistance at the Music Library, he still finds himself indulged in students’ work and learning when they individually come to him for help on projects or papers.

“It’s all a learning environment, whether I’m working alone in the library or together with a group of students in a classroom,” Graziano said. “But I definitely feel more directly involved when teaching and I miss that sometimes.”

After the library closes, Graziano stays late to continue his studies in jazz and Renaissance music in hopes of one day returning to his small hometown in Italy to help teach music education.