After that, Haza's mother moved her five children out of Cuba, and they eventually settled in the Washington area. With music I saw life could be beautiful. For the past 15 years he has been passing on the power of music to students in the American Youth Philharmonic, which he conducts. Although his students do not necessarily cling to music as an emotional escape as Haza once did, the conductor believes that music has an important role in the development of young people. However, that doesn't go hand in hand with matters of the soul.
Music provides food for the soul.
Haza selects pieces for his students that are taxing both musically and emotionally. In addition to stressing the importance of passion and discipline, Haza hopes he brings a measure of fun to the young musicians. At a recent rehearsal of the Philharmonic at Langley High School in McLean, Haza is forever on the move on the podium, standing on tiptoes to emphasize a crescendo, crouching low to bring the sound down, then waving his arms with gusto. In return, the students' attention is what Haza craves, and their devotion to music. Haza, who keeps busy guest-conducting when he's not playing with the NSO, says he never intended to become an integral part of classical music education in Washington.