Alumni Check In with Jacob: Mariachi to Sport Management
Hi, my name is Jacob Lozano Bolanos and I was in Harmony Project for six years at the La Habra site.
I am currently a rising junior pursuing a major in Sport Management, with a concentration in Sport Law and Business, and a concentration in Management at Rice University. I have been surrounded by sports my entire life and it has become the passion that I have decided to pursue. My goal is to work in legal within the sports industry to exercise negotiation and execute critical thinking when managing player contracts. Personally, I have always been invested in learning more about the world of sports beyond what we see on TV and the news, as it is the unrecognized work that plays the most important role in team success.
My experience with Harmony Project was unique as I was a part of the founding group for the La Habra site. However, prior to HP, I had played the violin for three years with the group that helped found the La Habra site. My best memory had to be during the final weeks of my senior year, when we performed several mariachi songs at a festival. For me, it was a full circle moment with my first experiences playing the same music I would be finishing my time with HP.
Harmony Project helped me learn a lot of intangible skills that became necessary in college life; most importantly the ability to be consistent. Practicing my instrument on a daily basis helped me take the strides I needed to complete in order to succeed in my performances. Similarly, in college, I needed to break down tasks, be committed, and display consistency in order to perform well in any medium. The skills that it takes to learn an instrument from scratch allow one to pick up several other hard skills that one may need to learn later on in life. This is how HP has greatly contributed to my successful navigation through university life.
This summer, I will be working with the Houston Host City Committee for the 2026 FIFA World Cup under the department of Corporate Partnerships/Sponsorships. In essence, I will be working with the partners who have invested in the committee in order to support our endeavors. This work includes upholding the contracts agreed upon and finding solutions to any issues that may arise.
Jacob speaking during his university sports radio show.
On campus, I am a co-analyst for Rice University’s student-run sports radio show, where we dive into Rice athletics and professional sports. Our weekly show has grown substantially as we have completed our second year running. This has always been a passion project of mine that includes sharing with everyone my passion for sports and keeping people informed with superb analysis in a way that is digestible and fun to listen to.
In a world that allows people to have an infinite amount of knowledge at one’s fingertips, I firmly believe that it is essential for all children, especially those from under-resourced communities, to have access to the arts so that they can explore their creativity. The arts allow kids to express themselves and funnel a creative outlet into something that they enjoy. For me, playing the violin opened up my eyes to the world of potential that I saw in the arts and created something that was unique. Mentorship has an even greater impact on kids as it offers something to model their lives in a positive way. It is crucial to have someone that you know you can count on for anything, and HP offered that home to me in the form of both supportive instructors and older peers. Harmony Project’s environment is one of comfort and familiarity, which allows everyone to feel welcome and be the best possible version of themselves.