- [Narrator] Central Falls science teacher David Upegui was born in Colombia.

He remembers watching the violence unleashed by drug cartels in the 80s.

His parents divorced when he was young.

And soon after, his mom, a teacher, lost her job.

He found himself homeless as a child.

- One of the first real memories that I have is sleeping on the floor of a bus station.

And my older sister, who's always been my rock, not letting me sleep on the actual floor, but sleeping on her.

- [Narrator] His own upbringing has made him well aware of the struggles of others.

He knows some of his students are homeless.

He buys snacks for them every week.

But it reminds him of a promise he made to a mentor before he became a teacher.

- "Promise me that you won't take the work home with you, like, you do what you can.

But you can't lose yourself in the midst of it.

When you turn the lights off in the classroom, leave the things there.

You can't solve everything for everybody."

(trumpet music) - [Narrator] It's one of the many reasons why music has been healing for Upegui.

He sings and plays the trumpet for his band, Infusion Evolution.

He describes it as a mix of Afro-Cuban, flamenco and jazz.

(Upegui singing) - Our music has sort of a rhythmic pattern that allows for people to sway and move.

(shaker music) When people are tapping or moving or nodding their head, that's when you know it's worth it.

(Upegui singing) - [Narrator] He encourages students to pursue hobbies outside of school.

- I've been really blessed to play music with these gifted musicians and I get to just enjoy their company and we tell Dad jokes and we play music.

We get to create.

So that outlet has been tremendously important for me because it's oftentimes, that one part of my life where I can be completely creative without the constraints of systems.