NMSU Journeys: Jeonai Batista

When Jeonai Batista was 14, he came in contact with his first piano in his hometown of Teresina, Brazil. Since then, he grew a strong desire to study piano, and a few years later, he journeyed to New Mexico State University’s music department in the College of Arts and Sciences to study and teach piano. When Jeonai writes music, he says it is something personal and he always tries to find the most expressive sound. The harmonies and melodies can create strong meanings and feelings, and through his work, he wants to express that feeling. Jeonai says inspiration can come from anywhere like the birds singing on campus, the sounds from downtown Las Cruces, or the scenic views of the mountains and desert landscape near campus. Jeonai describes music as a road that can take you to different places and experiences.