Princeton Resident Combines Music and Karate

Thirteen-year old Princeton resident Zachary Suarez enjoys karate and the trumpet.

By: Dorothy Chu
      Zachary Suarez is only around five feet tall, has a sweet smile, neatly kept blond hair, an innocent boyish look in his eyes, and nothing in his quiet nature to suggest that he actually does karate and plays the trumpet in the school band.
      Thirteen-year old Zachary Suarez has been going to karate lessons at the YMCA for five years now. He admits that no one forced him to go. "I just needed something to do," Suarez said.
      At karate, Suarez usually spars with the other students. "The sidekick is probably my best move," he said.
      According to Suarez, there are ten different belts. Every six months to a year, the teachers test the students and review their techniques. From this, they can decide whether they should advance or not. Suarez said his most exciting experience at karate was when he skipped a belt and went into the advanced class. He now has a red belt and is two belts away from getting a black belt, the highest possible belt.
      Suarez said he enjoys karate and looks up to people who fight for a living. "Jackie Chan is kind of my idol. I’ve seen a lot of his movies," Suarez said.
      When he isn’t busy with karate, Suarez attends John Witherspoon Middle School in Princeton where he plays the trumpet in the school band. He has been playing since fifth grade.
      Suarez admits that this wasn’t his first choice of instrument. "I actually wanted to play the saxophone, but they already had too moany saxes," Suarez said.
      Suarez said he adjusted to the trumpet and likes playing it. There have been many challenges to overcome, though. "It’s hard to play with braces," Suarez admits. Suarez also said it is particulary hard for him to play the high notes.
      According to Suarez, there are usually two concerts a year that he participates in. He said that the band usually plays jazz music.
      Suarez said that he also attends lessons every week with the other trumpet players in the band. He said that they practice songs and learn from a lesson book.
      Zachary wants to continue karate and the trumpet until he graduates from high school.