Not every college junior discovers their calling on the opera stage, but for former Day Creek Coyote Miles Rojo, music has changed everything. Once a quiet, reserved teen at Day Creek, Miles has grown into a powerful performer whose voice now echoes in concert halls across the country.
Rojo’s rise in opera was fueled by determination and resilience. Growing up, he faced challenges that might have silenced others, but music became his sanctuary. On stage, he found the freedom to fully express himself.
His younger brother, Levi, sees Miles’s success as proof of what persistence can accomplish. “I want to succeed like him,” Levi said, reflecting admiration for his brother’s journey.
That drive carried Rojo to a win on the national stage in January 2025, when he represented the Cal State Fullerton School of Music. Performing a scene from Mozart’s Cosi fan tutte, he brought the score to life (@ 13:50) with confidence and artistry.
Rojo’s passion for music began in the Day Creek Coyote Band, which transitioned to voice through the choir program at Los Osos High School. Since then, his talent has opened doors to extraordinary experiences: performing in a Star Wars concert at the Hollywood Bowl, and preparing for an upcoming tour of India with Cal State Fullerton.
His father, Paul Rojo, has witnessed the transformation with pride. “He found his passion,” Mr. Rojo said. “For him, his superpower became learning to read and sightread music. To pick it up so quickly and do so well; that really helped him succeed in music.”
For Mrs. Gossage, his former 8th grade teacher, Miles was once a shy, quiet student, so seeing his transformation into a confident performer has left her beaming with pride.
“He had so much enthusiasm,” Gossage said. “To see the confidence of a kid who once didn’t want to speak in class transform into someone performing like that. It was one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had.”
For Rojo himself, the reward of opera isn’t just the spotlight but the journey itself. “Everything that leads up to it – all the long rehearsals and getting to spend so much time with the people around you, building the bond – is for that moment on stage,” he said. “When you truly feel that you put your all into it; that’s rewarding.”
Miles’s story is a testament to his own resolve as well as the support of his family. His parents, Paul and Nydia, offered advice to other families raising young artists: “Keep supporting them, even when it feels stressful,” they said. “Every kid develops differently. Don’t get angry or stressed if they struggle – just keep giving positive reinforcement and opportunities. Eventually, they’ll find their way. We’re fortunate to live in a community with great schools and teachers, and Mrs. Gossage is one of them.”
From quiet middle schooler to college opera soloist, Rojo’s journey reveals how perseverance, passion, and encouragement developed a once-quiet voice into a successful instrument of musical expression.
“He found something that he loves, and he wasn’t afraid to pursue it, even when it pushed him out of his comfort zone. I’m so proud of Miles,” said Gossage.
