December 3, 2024
Ailish Quinones, a graduate student at Butler School of Music, recently achieved a lifelong dream: sitting down for an in-depth interview with Grammy Award-winning salsa legend Eddie Palmieri. The opportunity began during her time at Penn State University, where she first worked at the Center for Performing Arts.
While at Penn State, Quinones heard rumors that Palmieri might visit the university. Though she graduated and relocated to Austin before the news was confirmed, her admiration for the pianist and composer compelled her to reach out to her former boss at the Center for Performing Arts, asking if she could attend any lectures or master classes Palmieri might offer. Not only was her request granted, but she was also invited to assist with Palmieri’s visit, including preparations for an upcoming interview.
Over the next month leading up to the event, Quinones became an invaluable resource for her former boss, who had limited knowledge of Palmieri’s work or salsa music. She dived deep into the artist’s decades-long career, sharing insights about his legacy as a trailblazer in the salsa movement. However, just a week before the interview, her boss handed the reins to Quinones, insisting she was the best person for the job.
Quinones dedicated the next week to interview preparation. On the day of the interview, she found herself face-to-face with her idol. “Not a lot of people in State College, PA, know who Eddie Palmieri is,” she said afterward. “I wanted the interview to introduce him to new audiences while also offering something fresh for those who already know him.”
The conversation exceeded expectations. Quinones had prepared a list of questions but found that one question was all it took for Palmieri to take the reins. “After that first question, it became a conversation,” she recalled.
Observers, including the director of the local NPR station, were deeply impressed. “You touched on so many topics beyond music—philosophy, math, and the different ideas he considers when composing,” the director told Quinones.
The interview is now being edited for broadcast on NPR and PBS, where it is expected to reach audiences far beyond the Penn State community. For Quinones, the experience was more than an academic milestone—it was a moment of personal and professional fulfillment, as she brought the story of one of salsa’s most influential figures to life.