# @rutgersu on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CXwc8LVsPbK
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/180552-rutgersu-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/849ebd7b27.jpg
- **Posted:** 2021-12-21T19:43:58.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Rutgers University (@RutgersU) — https://gondola.cc/RutgersU

## Caption

@mgsarutgers Percussion Instructor Plays in Spielberg’s @westsidestorymovie Remake 🎥⬇️

Javier Diaz was initially selected to play rehearsals for one of the most memorable scenes in Steven Spielberg's beautiful West Side Story remake. Catching the attention of Spielberg, he was asked to record the soundtrack with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and play the role of a drummer because his playing was vital to the scene's authenticity.

Diaz worked on Broadway's @ainttooproudmusical, recorded Lin-Manuel Miranda's @intheheightsmovie soundtrack, and taught at Mason Gross while performing in West Side Story rehearsals for eight hours a day, six days a week for three months. Diaz shared his experiences on site with his students throughout the process.

“I want my students to be better than me and dream of opportunities I never dreamed,” he said. “What I tried to communicate to them about this experience is the passion I was putting into my rehearsals. The oomph I was bringing to the process is the same as when I’m playing a batá session in the Bronx or with my Broadway show, Ain’t Too Proud, or with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s at Carnegie Hall. It’s all part of the same continuum.”

#RutgersPride | #RutgersExcellence | #RURahRah ⚔

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 341
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 0

## Credits

These are the roles credited on Gondola. Credits may be incomplete.
A brand, account owner, or featured person is not necessarily the creator.

| Name | Username | Profile | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Rutgers University | @RutgersU | https://gondola.cc/RutgersU | University |
| Marques Ruiz | @digitallysober | https://gondola.cc/digitallysober | Social Media Manager |
| Marques Ruiz | @digitallysober | https://gondola.cc/digitallysober | Copywriter |

## Tags

rurahrah, rutgerspride, rutgersexcellence

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