Dr. Rodriguez is Making Lasting Music at Lincoln Prep

Dr. Malachy Rodriguez is a middle school music teacher at Lincoln Prep and going on his 13th year with Great Hearts. According to Headmaster Eric Tope, Rodriguez is a hit with students who often affectionately shout out, “Doctor” when they see him in the halls.

Rodriguez was born and raised in Texas and lived with his dad after his parents divorced. “I wanted to go north of the Red River for college, and being excited to leave home, I graduated a year early at 16,” he shared. While he rightly felt like that was a pretty big accomplishment for someone so young, he did explain that he did his best to downplay his young age during his first year at Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio, right outside of Cleveland.

After graduating he went to the Cleveland Institute of Music for his masters. It was there that he started substitute teaching. While he was ABD (all but dissertation), he would long-term substitute teach. “This helped my transition from wanting to teach at the collegiate level to secondary grades.”

“After taking a year off and getting engaged, we moved to Arizona so I could attend ASU for my doctorate,” he said. After finishing his doctorate, Rodriguez said he accepted a part-time position at Veritas Prep, however, the commute was long and took away time from his newborn child. “I heard about Lincoln Prep and was very fortunate to be hired as the founding music teacher.”

He and his wife now have three children that he affectionately calls his “lovely and crazy red headed daughters.”

He still performs in a lot of local brass ensembles including Salt River Brass and is often asked to officiate trumpet and brass competitions in the Valley. He also teaches a class at Chandler  Gilbert Community College.

“The music industry is highly rewarding while being grueling and brutal,” said Rodriguez. “Hard work and honing your craft are major tenets of the industry, and that translates well to teaching. Being able to adapt on the fly is instrumental in the classroom along with the interaction between people.”

Rodriguez is not your typical middle school music teacher. “I have selected music that pushes the students as I don’t want to hear Hot Cross Buns on recorder. NOT A CHANCE! We have played major pieces by Bach, Mozart, and Debussy, and this helps me introduce students to masterworks. Yes, I push them. I teach two extracurricular bands, and this is a great way to know students differently. It is football season, and we get to play the national anthem on our field this year as it was under repairs last year. Especially being from Texas and having fond memories of Friday night football games, I like how playing at the games helps bring the community together.”

Given his love for music, when he was asked what he loves most about teaching at Great Hearts, Rodriguez gave an unexpected answer. “The obvious answer is concert night and football band performances, but a surprising answer is the senior thesis,” he shared. “While my workload is teaching middle schoolers, it is also nice to work with a senior on their Great Hearts culminating project. Selfishly, this forces me to read the great books that I have put off reading. However, it is nice to see your old students enter adulthood as this is one of the last things they will do in high school. It is a truly rewarding partnership.”

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