Central Islip junior Davian Perez selected to NYSSMA All-State, credits upbringing for success

Davian Perez, a junior at Central Islip High School, has been playing the trumpet since he was in fifth grade and has dedicated so much of his time to learning his craft. Those efforts will be rewarded in a special way next month.

Perez was invited to be a part of the 2024 NYSSMA All-State Performing Ensemble in Rochester, N.Y. on Dec. 7.

When he heard the news, he was spending his afternoon like any high school student would: playing video games after finishing his homework.

“I had just finished schoolwork and was playing video games with my friends. My mom knocked on my door, and she came up to me holding something behind her back,” he said. “She showed me the letter that I was selected, and my jaw was to the floor. “

Davian repeatedly gave credit to his band teacher, Mr. Jeremiah Ryan, and his private instructor, Mr. Emmanuel Devassy, a middle school teacher in Brentwood.

He noted that this was a milestone he had in mind but did not expect for it to come so soon.

“I’ve been working for this with Mr. Devassy for over a year, but to be honest, this year was meant to grow and get on track. It’s cool that I’m a year early on my progress,” Perez said.

After he received this recognition, it forced Davian to think back to when he first learned about music, thanks to his family.

“It all started with my family playing the guitar; I always found it so cool. They played by ear without looking at music, so it was even more impressive,” he said.

Davian vividly recalls a special moment with his father when he showed him a recording of a jazz band playing the saxophone and trumpet.

“That video inspired me to play trumpet,” he said, smiling. “I could tell that my father having a background knowledge of music would help me as I learned to play.”

When he chose the trumpet, he was solely focused on learning and improving. Davian always says he thinks back to his time as an elementary student at Morrow with Mrs. Valverde.

“I have always found it so interesting to just pick up an instrument and make music. Mrs. Valverde played the trumpet, and she always had so many activities for us, whether it be concerts, playing for the school, stuff like that,” he said.

Not only is Davian a successful musician, but he is also looking to pursue a career in medicine. This dream stems from Davian spending frequent time in the hospital as a child because of an autoimmune disease, neutropenia, that impacted his white blood cell count and ability to fight infection.

“I’ve always wanted to be a doctor ever since I was a kid,” he said. “I was in the hospital a lot from until I was six. So, I want to give back to other kids like those doctors gave back to me.”

Once he arrives in Rochester, he’ll be thinking of what he will represent as a selection from Central Islip.

“It’s an honor to represent CI,” Davian said. “This district has always been so supportive of its students and supportive of me, so being able to represent them is less of a burden and more of an honor.”

“I’ve never been upstate, so I can’t wait to be there.”