We are excited to announce that Carlos Cortez '24 has been named the inaugural recipient of the Joseph Pucciatti Prize for Community Engagement in the Arts. Established by the Department of Music in honor of retired Trenton Central High School Orchestra director Joseph Pucciatti, the prize is awarded annually to a graduating Princeton University senior whose love of community, artistic imagination, and passion for mentorship have expanded access to the arts.

Cortez was recognized for founding Zináparo Scores, a music and soccer program that serves children in his family hometown of Zináparo, Mexico. During his junior year, he received a $10,000 award from the Pace Center for Civic Engagement’s Projects for Peace initiative. With the support of Pace associate director Matt Lynn, Cortez piloted a music and soccer summer camp in Zináparo that met every Monday through Thursday for two and a half months. Almost 100 children aged four to 17 participated in one or more classes: soccer, choir, guitar, and violin/bass. After seeing the success of the camp, Cortez decided to extend it to a year-round program by using his leftover Projects for Peace funding, working multiple campus jobs, and fundraising. Now, Zináparo Scores has over 120 students, with a sizable waitlist of students who wish to join the instrumental division.  

On May 15, during Trenton Arts at Princeton’s fifth anniversary dinner celebration, assistant professor of music Anna Yu Wang presented Cortez with the Pucciatti Prize. “It is our hope that the recognition Carlos receives through this award will help bolster his fundraising efforts, so that Zinaparo children may continue to benefit from this initiative for many years to come,” said Yu Wang.

During his acceptance speech, Cortez remarked, “Growing up, music and sports played pivotal roles in creating connections and friendships in my community. It was important for me to offer the youth in my hometown the same experience.”

After graduation, Cortez plans to take a gap year to apply for medical school and continue fundraising for Zináparo Scores. This summer, he will return to Zináparo with two high school student volunteers from the United States. Eventually, his dream is to open a pediatric clinic in Zináparo. “I feel honored to have so many different communities believe in the project,” Cortez says. “It ensures the life of the project, because there are so many people invested in wanting to see the kids succeed.”

To learn more about Zináparo Scores, follow them on Instagram and read this profile of Cortez. Their full debut performance can be viewed on YouTube.