Jenifer Fernandes
Joseph@herald-goa.com
MOIRA: From the quiet village of Callizor in Moira, Jason Francis Quadros has built a life that revolves entirely around music. A full-time musician, teacher, choir director, and band leader, he has spent over three decades nurturing his talent and sharing it with others. Though no one in his family was a musician, Jason’s journey began with a forgotten keyboard in his childhood home—and grew into a lifelong passion that continues to inspire students, audiences, and communities alike.
Music is both his profession and his passion. Today, Jason teaches piano, guitar, theory, solfège, and the broader discipline of music education. He leads his own choir, which performs for church services and community events, and also fronts a band that entertains at restaurants and private functions. With his group, he does not restrict himself to the popular genres. Instead, they mix retro, pop, jazz, and experiment with lesser-known styles, exploring music in its many forms.
It is often said that music flows in the blood of every Goan, but Jason’s story proves otherwise. Nobody in his family was a musician. His musical journey began in Abu Dhabi, where his relatives lived. His elder brother was once enrolled in keyboard lessons but quickly lost interest. The instrument lay unused in the house until young Jason, just four or five at the time, was drawn to it. He began to play on his own, imitating hymns he had heard in church. An uncle encouraged him with simple songs, and when the family returned to Goa, Jason was enrolled in violin lessons under Francisco Cardoz. The instrument, however, proved difficult and unappealing, and he eventually gave it up. His heart remained with the keyboard.
He pursued keyboard lessons more seriously, and within a couple of years, he was introduced to church music, which gave him the confidence to play for services. Over time, he was guided by different masters—mentors who shaped not only his journey but those of many other young church musicians.
By 2009, Jason had begun teaching music officially, even while continuing his own classes. When his tutor passed away, he turned to self-learning, sharpening his skills by watching others and practicing tirelessly. It was during this period that he realized one of his guiding principles: learning never stops.
His father also played a role in shaping his ear for music. At home, cassettes would fill the air with songs in different languages and styles. Jason and his siblings listened, absorbed, and repeated what they heard. Even before he could write music, he could listen and play by ear. Today, after thirty years in music, he credits those early experiences with giving him a deep foundation.
As a child, Jason was not immediately passionate about music. The interest grew gradually, particularly when, in Classes 8 and 9, he began playing more actively in church. At the same time, like many families, his own hoped he might pursue another career. He earned a B.Sc. degree and showed a strong interest in computers, a field that fascinated him but one that changed too quickly. “What you learn today becomes outdated tomorrow,” he reflects. Music, in contrast, gave him something timeless, something that only grew richer with time. That was when he decided to dedicate himself fully to it.
Technology has, of course, changed music too. In the past, every note was written by hand and carefully played. Today, software and even AI assist in composing and arranging. Jason acknowledges these tools as useful but insists that they can never replace human creativity. “Music, at its heart, has to come from within,” he believes.
Over the years, he has seen Goan bands flourish and new opportunities open for performers. Music, he says, will always be in demand—at weddings, tiatrs, social events, or simply for joy. What keeps a musician relevant, however, is consistency: showing up, practicing, and staying committed.
As a teacher, Jason adapts to every student. Some arrive with a natural interest, while others are pushed into lessons by their parents. His task is to create a spark. He uses both traditional teaching and modern tools such as apps, believing that every child learns differently. “What matters most,” he says, “is to nurture curiosity and keep it alive.” Beyond the classroom, he has also composed for village tiatrs, contributing music that connects with communities.
Though some once suggested he pursue another career, Jason’s passion for music was unwavering. His family, seeing his commitment to church music, never opposed him. After college, he chose teaching music as his primary work, and he has never looked back. His main instrument remains the keyboard, but he also plays guitar—acoustic, electric, and bass. The violin did not stay with him, but he has explored the drum kit, where rhythm rather than melody takes center stage.
Jason also offers advice to young musicians. Be open, he says, and avoid shortcuts. In the age of social media, it is tempting to measure success by likes and shares, but real music is not about popularity. Each musician carries unique ideas, and the task is to bring those ideas to life. Music today addresses not only entertainment but also social issues, political concerns, and personal milestones. To be good at it requires hard work and dedication.
His days are a testament to this dedication. He begins teaching at 8:30 in the morning, with his main group of students arriving between 3 and 6 in the evening. Nights are often spent arranging music for church services or working on new compositions. Yet his life is not all work—he makes time for outings with his wife and gatherings with his choir. For Jason Francis Quadros, music is more than a career. It is a calling, a lifelong journey, and a way of life—one that began with a forgotten keyboard and continues to inspire everyone who listens to the notes he plays.