by Giulliana Micheletto
In Mississauga, ON, a Filipino Canadian was born and raised, with a deep-rooted passion for music. From early days performing in her elementary school choir, singing in talent competitions with her younger siblings, attending Cawthra Park Secondary School’s music program, to pursuing music education at York University, music has been a constant companion for Jessica Pasia.
Music’s influence was undeniable, with a family who nurtured a love for it since childhood.
“I was extremely fortunate to have two parents who encouraged me to pursue my goals from an early age.”
This support was a blessing, especially considering the societal pressures often faced by Asian Canadians to pursue more traditional career paths.
Remaining grateful for the Future Aces Scholarship she received in 2015, she credits it, along with her supportive family, for making her post-secondary education possible. Since graduating university, she has been a music teacher, but she emphasizes that her journey isn’t as straightforward as she thought. When reminiscing on her high school days, she remembers struggling with the pressure to have everything figured out.
“I felt like I was running behind… I didn’t quite know what the future [held]”, at the time that bothered her. Now reflecting on it, she says “It’s okay if you don’t have it all together yet.”
Although music has always been a big part of her life, education, in its various forms, has also been a constant thread throughout Jessica’s journey. From tutoring siblings and assisting in classrooms, to mentoring and teaching in various school institutions, and even teaching ballet, a love of sharing knowledge has been evident.
A year spent teaching English in Spain, served as a catalyst for change. This experience, coupled with working for a virtual learning company focused on anti-racism education, ignited a passion for DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility) work. The desire to advocate for those who have been marginalized, especially within the realm of music, fueled this new direction. She views a DEIA career as essentially education, just presented in an alternative format.
While music remains a cherished part of her life, her focus is shifting toward leveraging DEIA principles within other avenues to create a greater impact in the world of music, arts and beyond. This journey underscores the value of self discovery and the understanding that career paths can evolve as passions change. Creating environments where people feel heard and seen is something she is especially passionate about.
“I came to the realization that DEIA is something with which I’m much more aligned now in where I am in my life.”
The driving force behind this career change is a shift towards helping others while pursuing personal happiness and fulfillment.
This journey is a testament to the power of self-discovery, the importance of embracing change, and the pursuit of a path that resonates with one’s true purpose. Even though Jessica Pasia began her career in music, her story serves as a lovely reminder that sometimes the greatest songs are the ones that evolve over time and that our passions can take us to unexpected places.