Early musical roots 

Growing up surrounded by music, Edwin learned instruments with ease. His mom sang. His sister sang. Several uncles did, too. He learned bass and then guitar, but the saxophone became his absolute favourite. “Seventeen years later, it is still the instrument I feel the most connected to,” he says. 

Edwin arrived in London, Ont. from Mexico eager to begin his studies in chemical and biochemical engineering and settled into the busy pace of coursework, labs and life in a new country. 

Sax and the city 

Edwin’s plan was to find a part-time job, but he just couldn’t land one. His tuition was covered by his savings, but he needed to supplement his income for day-to-day expenses. He turned to something familiar and took his saxophone to the busy streets of London. 

Playing in public wasn’t new to him, but this time it carried a clearer purpose. He set up for short weekend sets in downtown London. Some sets were quiet; others sparked memorable connections. Little by little, what began as a practical solution became a complement to his studies –  a way to share music while balancing academic demands.  

Engineering required deep focus and long study hours, leaving only small pockets of time for performing. “Weekends became my main window to play and every session, every audience offered a small step forward,” Edwin says. His family in Mexico encouraged and supported him along the way. Those moments, he says, carried him through the most challenging parts of his degree. Edwin was joined by his fiancée, Elizabeth, who moved to Canada a few months after his arrival. “Elizabeth being here helped motivate me even further,” he says. 

Reaching the finish line 

When graduation day arrived, Edwin brought his saxophone with him. Standing at convocation felt surreal. After years of balancing studies, financial limitations and late-night performances, walking across the stage was proof that 

every difficult moment mattered. “It was such a feeling of relief and pride,” he says. “It was hard to believe that I completed my master’s degree!”

Looking ahead 

Today Edwin is busy working two jobs – but he still makes time for music. “Once you stop doing something you love, it becomes easier to let it slip away,” he says. “Music has been part of my life for nearly two decades. I intend to keep playing whenever I can.” 

For students embarking on their own challenging paths, his advice is simple. “Use what you already have. Be resourceful. Believe that the difficult moments will pass.” 

His journey from weekend sets downtown to crossing the convocation stage was pivotal. “It taught me resilience, creativity and the value of staying committed, even when the road looks nothing like what you expected.”