Julio Barreto, Oxford Performing Arts Center’s director of music education, was in Boston on Saturday, September 20, 2025, as he was in the audience listening to one of America’s most iconic orchestras perform music for which he provided the orchestrations.

The Boston Pops Orchestra, under the direction of Maestro Keith Lockhart, performed an evening of music written by “Hamilton” composer Lin-Manuel Miranda at Boston Symphony Hall with featured vocalist Mandy Gonzalez, who was a featured performer in that legendary Broadway show.

Barreto spent a few days prior to the concert in Boston working with Lockhart and Gonzalez during the rehearsals for the Saturday program.

Gonzalez performed at OPAC in May 2024 with the Atlanta Pops Orchestra, where she also invited the Oxford High School Choir to join in singing the title song from her debut album, “Fearless.”

Barreto is no stranger to Boston, having graduated from the Berklee College of Music located there in 2019, earning degrees in arranging, orchestration, and music production.

In addition to Gonzales, Barreto has done orchestral arranging for a wide range of musical artists, including gospel singer David Phelps, rappers T.I. and Rick Ross, Hip-Hop artist Gucci Mane, and Celtic Woman alumna Chloe Agnew.

Barreto’s talents are well-known at his Oxford home, where he serves as the artist-in-residence with the Atlanta Pops Orchestra, playing keyboards and composing orchestral arrangements. He is also the founder and director of the Rubato International Piano Competition.