Mystique Rose Evans was born and raised in Milwaukee, WI to a family of 7. She grew up into a household full of musicians who played trumpet (dad and sister), clarinet (another sister), saxophone (mom) and piano (brother). She decided to steer away from the craziness of the almost Jazz combo her family was to instead play the cello. At the age of 8, Evans was nominated to participate in the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO), an elite and intensive program for young orchestral string musicians. During the first 2 years of MYSO, she was introduced to her instrument through an intense program that included orchestral and solo performances. After graduating from this introductory program, she continued with MYSO until she graduated from High school. Throughout her time as a MYSO musician, she had the opportunity to compose pieces, travel across her state gigging, and tour all over the world. Evans did numerous gigs for a variety of events from children’s classes all the way up to business cooperation meetings. Her goal was to inspire young children to start incorporating music into their lives, and for the adults to understand the importance of doing so. Evans, as stated earlier, had the privilege of traveling to Argentina, Uraguay, Ireland, and the Northern UK. Evans states, “Each of these experiences made my bond with music stronger and allowed me to experience how other cultures connect with music in such a strong way.” She learned that every country she visited had a very different way of expressing their culture through the music that they created, yet all forms of expression were beautiful and the importance of music was equally strong in each country. Seeing people from all walks of life come together to appreciate an art with so much story was an experience that she describes as “Priceless”. However, in these very challenging times that we as a world are experiencing, she recognizes that, especially in classical music, not every culture is being represented. For hundreds of years now, there have been well-accomplished composers from every ethnicity, especially the Black and POC community, yet, in Classical music as a whole, the representation has been almost exclusive to White people. There’s been such a lack of representation not only for Black and POC composers but musicians as well. As a Mixed-Black woman, Evans found it to be discouraging to not see anyone that looked like her in classical music and has now made it her mission to strive to be that example for the next generation. “Seeing someone like you in a career that you want to be in is more important than people recognize” Evans states, and she has promised to herself that she will continue to work until she becomes that inspiration to as many children that she can be. It’s unfortunate that there has been such a disproportionate amount of representation in the Classical Music community, but she encourages Black and POC children to believe that their culture and history is just as important in the music community and to never give up on their dreams.
Mystique Rose
“Your culture is your identity, and you have the right to express that as a musician, and as a person. Never give up your dream, because you are too excellent for the world to not see you. Keep your head up high, and work hard for your dreams to come true.”
I met Mystique in the sleepy town of Oberlin, OH. She put up a little bit of a wall, but it didn’t matter, I could tell the type of person she was. Thought I only knew her for a short time through the Sphinx Performance Academy, she had made a huge impression on me.
This project allows me to reconnect with some of the most memorable people and experiences in my life. Sphinx changed my life in so many ways. I learned so much about myself through all the students I was able to interact with. Thoughts on race and identity were topics that floated above us at camp. Though we could have acknowledged them more, they are difficult topics to embrace.
With the current movement and #BLM it really gives me a perspective on how important not only those discussions were, but how important representation is. Talking to Mystique and hearing all about her journey and her goals is so uplifting and inspiring. I wish everyone could dream and accomplish as much as Mystique.
