NATALIE MORALES
B.M. | MUSIC STUDIES
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL AND FINE ARTS
PART OF UTSA TODAY’S SERIES ON SOME OF THE NEWEST ALUMNI OF ROADRUNNER NATION
MAY 15, 2020 — Natalie Morales dreams big. Now that this Roadrunner has earned a bachelor of music with a concentration in music education, she has her sights set on another dream. A path that will take her from San Antonio to a land where dreams come true: Disney World.
“My big dream is to work for the company, either in music or ultimately as an Imagineer,” says Morales. “One of my dreams is to help design or create their famous Mickey ears.”
Morales has been accepted to the Disney College Program, a four-month internship used to also recruit the next-generation of Walt Disney creatives.
“Imagineers are responsible for the endless magical components,” says Morales.
Endless Magic
The term Imagineering, trademarked by Disney, describes the blending of imagination and engineering. More and more companies realize that innovation involves teams of multidisciplinary thinkers, which includes those that study the liberal arts.
Getting accepted into the Disney College Program took more than imagination for Morales. It takes sweat equity. Only one in four candidates gains admission. Yet Morales, with her UTSA experience, crossed the gauntlet. As member of the Music Theory Club, she conducted research on college students and their listening habits, including choices made along the music complexity spectrum.
According to the findings, college students opt for music to help with productivity and alleviate stress. It’s for this reason that music selections among college students tend to be repetitive. Morales, along with others, presented the findings last year at the Pedagogy and Practice Conference in Santa Barbara, California.
“I didn’t yet know what I wanted for my future, but I knew I could not go wrong with music education,” Morales said, “since it meant I would be able to teach others and inspire.”
But it was Disney recruiters who were also inspired by Morales’ dedication and tenacity. During her time at UTSA she demonstrated leadership as president of the Clarinet Studio and successfully maintained both the Presidential and the Ensemble Scholarships.
Morales values faith and dreams but not wishful thinking. If you ask her to think of her favorite Disney film, she names Aladdin. Yet it’s not for the reason that you might think. “I learned that you don’t need a genie to get what you wish,” said Morales.
Next time you visit one of the Disney parks, pay attention. You might hear this Roadrunner’s music or buy one of her designed Mickey Mouse ears hats. Roadrunners can make your day magical too.
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