Rebirth: A New Chapter After Graduation
After years of chasing dreams within the walls of a classroom, a new horizon opens. In this blog, I share the emotions of stepping into the unknown, the quiet reinventions taking root, and the dreams that are only just beginning to find their voice. I invite you to walk this new chapter with me.
Valentina Pelaez
4/29/20255 min read


The Next Brave Step: Life After Graduation ✨
When I started college, the future felt vast, full of possibilities I could barely imagine. And yet, here I am, standing at the threshold of a new beginning. Graduation has brought a beautiful mix of emotions: gratitude for what has been, excitement for what’s to come, and a quiet reverence for the unknown.
Before writing this blog, I invited my followers to send in questions about this time of transition. Your thoughtful messages helped me reflect more deeply, and many of your questions are woven into the sections that follow — thank you for your curiosity and support.
In this blog, I wanted to share not just the plans unfolding before me, but the deeper shifts happening within — the growth, the dreams, and the hopes shaping the road ahead
What emotions are you carrying with you as you step into this new season after graduation?
Graduation feels like standing at the edge of a cliff — thrilling, overwhelming, and deeply beautiful all at once.
I feel profound excitement. I’ve never been the most patient person, and at times, these four years felt long — as though life was on pause while school took priority. For some, college flies by. For me, it was the right amount of time, and at times, it felt slow. My focus was survival — excelling academically while working to support myself — and because of that, I spent four years immersed in study and perseverance.
What I’ll miss most isn’t sitting in lectures; it’s the incredible people I met along the way. My peers, professors, and friends — each one brought knowledge, inspiration, and encouragement into my life. Frost was a beautiful environment: not competitive, but collaborative. Among so many magnificent musicians, there was humility and genuine support. The true competition was with ourselves — to keep growing.
What does life after graduation look like for you — not just as an artist, but as a person?
For the first time in years, life isn’t scheduled by semesters or rehearsals. It’s a blank canvas.
Anyone who has completed a college degree knows the sacrifices it demands. In my case, my health suffered — especially during the first two years, while adjusting to the pace and pressure. Sleep deprivation, rushed meals or lack of one, stress, and anxiety became part of the routine. Now, I look forward to caring for myself better. I dream of reading for pleasure, exploring new music, moving my body through exercise, getting involved in church and community, and spending quality time with my husband — not between deadlines, but with freedom. This is a season to organize my time intentionally, to explore new opportunities, and to reinvent myself with an open heart.
Why did you decide not to go to graduate school right away, and how do you view education as part of your long-term journey?
Graduate school is something I have considered deeply — but timing, I believe, is an art form too.
The expected path is often to move straight into a master's degree, but for me, the decision needed more reflection. Between classes, performances, and preparing my senior recital, I didn’t want to rush such a major life choice. I deeply value education. But I also believe in building a solid foundation — emotionally, creatively, and financially — before stepping into further studies. At this point, I need time to live, to create, and to fall even more in love with music outside the classroom. This may not be just a “gap year” — it may be longer. I trust God’s timing and remain open to where He leads me. Even without formal schooling right now, I am fully committed to lifelong learning — through private voice lessons, mastering skills like marketing and languages, and continuously seeking growth.
How has your time studying classical music shaped your voice, and how do you envision blending that foundation with Latin American and diverse genres?
Classical music gave my voice discipline — not just in technique, but in how I approach every song with intention and depth.
I didn’t grow up singing classical music. It was unfamiliar at first, but I believe by divine purpose, it became my path.
I fell in love with the discipline, the depth, and the healthy technique it gave me. I know that classical training will safeguard my voice for years to come and provide me tools to express myself across genres.
This fusion has already begun: recently, I commissioned arrangements of Colombian bambuco pieces adapted for soprano and classical performance — blending the beauty of traditional Latin American music with classical artistry. Moving forward, I am excited to keep finding new ways to bridge genres and tell stories that feel true to who I am.
What dreams are you nurturing right now — even if they are just beginning to take root?
Some dreams take root in the quiet — unfolding slowly, with everyday acts of courage.
I dream of many performances. I dream of recording my own music. I dream of teaching on the side and connecting deeply with other creatives. These dreams live in my heart, and I trust that, with hard work and faith, they will bloom in their own time. For now, I knock on doors, stay open to opportunity, and work diligently while continuing to dream.
What lessons from your college years will you carry with you into your career — both on and off the stage?
College taught me so much more than music theory and technique. It taught me discipline. Before college, I often relied on natural talent. Frost pushed me to go deeper — to build discipline as the foundation of my artistry. It taught me perseverance, humility, and the importance of lifelong growth. These are lessons I will carry with me on every stage and into every room I enter.
Are there any upcoming performances, recordings, collaborations, or personal projects you're excited about?
This new chapter isn’t just about dreaming — it’s about building.
On June 13th, I will make my debut as a solo artist in Medellín, Colombia — the city that shaped so much of who I am.
The place that gave me my roots, my accent, my musical taste, and even my husband. It feels incredibly special to give back a piece of what I’ve learned over these past four years, and to sing for the people who watched me grow.
It’s thrilling, nerve–racking, and humbling all at once — and I can’t wait.
If you could give a piece of advice to another young artist standing where you stood four years ago, what would it be?
If I could sit across from the 18-year-old me — scared, stubborn, and wide-eyed — I would tell her this:
College is worth it.
The challenges you face will not only shape you as a professional — they will shape you as a person.
Discipline is everything. And your vision? It is uniquely yours.
Gather all the knowledge you can. Then, mold it into your dream — not someone else's expectation.
Your path is yours alone, and that is a beautiful thing.
This next season feels less like a perfect map and more like an open field — full of possibility, full of life. I’m not rushing it. I’m learning to trust it. Whether it’s through a song, a stage, or a story yet to be written, I can’t wait to keep creating and sharing with you all.
And if you’re standing at your own crossroads right now, know this: there’s no right timeline for becoming who you’re meant to be. There’s only the next brave step.
What does your next chapter look like? And what is one word you hope defines it?
If you’d like to keep walking this journey with me — and support me along the way — I’d love to stay connected. Here are a few ways we can do that:
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Reserve your free ticket for my concert at Beethoven Hall, in El Palacio de Bellas Artes, Medellín. After the performance, there will be a small reception — a chance to meet, share, and connect. I’d truly love to see you there.
📅 Date: June 13, 2025 – 7:00 PMFollow and share on social media
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