Recovering Music Major Antonio Zubillaga Triumphs at UTSA Commencement

On May 7, 2024, music major Antonio Zubillaga, a standout at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), will achieve a major milestone by graduating with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance.

Throughout his final year, Zubillaga has shone brightly, appearing in multiple UTSA Lyric Theatre opera productions and even gracing the stage at the illustrious Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Looking ahead, the determined baritone vocalist has his sights set on further education, planning to return to UTSA in the fall to pursue a master’s degree in music.

Zubillaga’s journey has been one of resilience, overcoming significant challenges along the way to reach this triumphant moment.

Initially enrolling at UTSA in 2005 as an anthropology major, life threw Zubillaga a curveball as struggles with substance abuse and addiction forced him to drop out due to academic difficulties.

Following a pivotal moment in his life, achieving sobriety in 2017, Zubillaga made the courageous decision to realign his path with his true passion for music, embarking on a journey to pursue a music degree.

His road to graduation wasn’t without hurdles, as he dedicated himself to elevating his GPA at Northwest Vista College before being readmitted to UTSA.

Under the mentorship of Crystal Jarrell Johnson, assistant professor at UTSA’s College of Music, Zubillaga exhibited a remarkable transformation in his voice and performance abilities.

One of Zubillaga’s post-graduation aspirations is to establish a Recovery Choir, where individuals battling substance addiction can join together through music to find solace and support.

Continuing his academic pursuits, Zubillaga intends to delve into choral conducting at the master’s level, seeking new challenges and opportunities for growth as an artist.