Internship Fund Helped Student Pursue a Life-Changing Music Experience
March 19, 2026
For many students, internships open doors to new industries and career paths. For LSU percussion performance major Victor Diaz, a summer experience at one of the nation’s most prestigious music programs confirmed his passion for performing.
With support from the Lagniappe Internship Fund, Diaz spent the summer in Aspen, Colorado participating in the Orchestral Program at the Aspen Music Festival and School, where he performed alongside talented young musicians and professional faculty from leading orchestras across the country.
Performing at the Highest Level
During the nine-week program, Diaz participated in an intensive schedule of rehearsals, concerts, lessons, and masterclasses. Each concert cycle required extensive preparation and collaboration with other musicians.
“My projects throughout the experience were to participate in a variety of large performances, most of them orchestra concerts,” Diaz shared. “I prepared for weekly performances alongside other high-achieving young musicians as well as professional faculty who are already working in the best orchestras in the country.”
The experience challenged Diaz to perform demanding repertoire while adapting quickly to new ensembles and conductors. With only a short amount of preparation time for each program, the pace of the festival pushed him to refine his practice strategies and deepen his musical awareness.
A Standout Performance
One of Diaz’s proudest moments came when he was selected as the principal percussionist for a performance of Scheherazade, the large-scale symphonic poem by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov.
The role required him to perform complex passages and solo percussion moments in front of a large audience and respected colleagues.
“I was tasked with performing some difficult solo parts and playing a technically challenging role in the orchestra,” Diaz said. “All of this I had to prepare and execute in a week’s time. It went very well and was an incredibly special moment for me.”
Concert performance at the Aspen Music Festival and School
Building Professional Skills
Beyond performance, the festival helped Diaz develop skills that professional musicians rely on every day. Working with expert faculty and highly trained peers meant receiving detailed feedback and learning how to implement adjustments quickly.
He also learned the importance of score study, an advanced technique where musicians analyze the entire musical score to understand how each instrument fits within the larger composition. Diaz shared, "Sitting down with the music and looking at all of the parts of the ensemble in addition to mine really heightened my awareness in the piece, and it gave me ideas for expression.”
Through this process, Diaz gained a deeper awareness of how orchestral musicians interact and respond to one another, helping him adapt to different conductors and ensemble dynamics.
A Life-Changing Experience
For Diaz, the experience was reassuring to his decision to pursue music as a lifelong career.
“It has absolutely affirmed my decision to follow this career path,” Diaz said. “The experience was incredibly life-changing and it confirmed the joy and passion I feel for music-making and connecting with others.”
In addition to refining his performance skills, the program allowed him to build lasting connections with professional musicians and peers who share his passion for classical music.
Advice for Fellow Tigers
Diaz encourages other students to pursue opportunities, like summer internships and experiential learning, whenever possible. When asked what advice he'd give to other LSU students, Diaz said:
“Do everything you can to make it there. These experiences do not last forever, and they are some of the most meaningful opportunities you can have.”
The Lagniappe Internship Fund
Experiences like Diaz’s are made possible through the Lagniappe Internship Fund, which helps LSU students pursue internship opportunities that might otherwise be financially out of reach.
By supporting travel, housing, and other costs, the fund allows students to focus on gaining valuable professional experience, building networks, and exploring their future careers.
For Diaz, that support helped turn a summer opportunity into a defining step toward his professional goals. "The Aspen Music Festival was a life-changing experience that elevated me to the highest standards of performance and has been the most inspiring adventure of my career,” said Diaz.
Apply to the Lagniappe Internship Fund
The Fund is now open for applications through March 31, 2026. If you have an internship this summer and could benefit from additional support, please apply through the general application on Blackbaud Award Management.
Support the Lagniappe Internship Fund
A student’s financial means shouldn’t limit their career potential. The Lagniappe Internship Fund helps students offset costs so they can accept unpaid or out-of-state internships. These opportunities are essential for building experience and launching careers.
About the LSU Career Center
Our team is committed to ensuring every student has ample opportunities to gain experience, grow their network, and communicate their aptitude for a chosen career long before graduation. We believe LSU students are unparalleled in their potential to step into leadership, solve problems, and elevate the workforce for the benefit of all.