Class of 2025: Sofia Nava Ulacio finds her voice and groove through music
Story by Misty Bouse. Photos by Ric Getter.
An accomplished musician, Sofia Nava Ulacio chose PCC as her first collegiate option.
When Sofia Nava Ulacio arrived in Oregon, she brought little more than a love for music, her guitar and a fierce determination to start over. This June, the 21-year-old singer-songwriter, music teacher and graduating Portland Community College student will cross the commencement stage as a President’s List scholar and a standout in the PCC Music Program, which is offered at the Rock Creek and Sylvania campuses.
A recipient of the 2023 Beaverton Youth Arts Award and the 2024 Best of Beaverton Award, Nava Ulacio is known for her soulful guitar stylings, which has earned her the nickname “the female Latin John Mayer.” She frequently performs at venues like the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts and The Walters Cultural Arts Center where she fronts her original band — the Sofi Nava Trio.
2025 Commencement
Thousands of PCC grads will be honored as part of the class of 2025. The college’s commencement ceremony takes place at 7 p.m., Friday, June 13 at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum where thousands of newly minted graduates will celebrate their degrees and certificates with family and friends.
“I didn’t come here with college in mind,” she said. “I just wanted to learn English. I didn’t expect this journey, but I’m so grateful for it.”
Raised in a tight-knit family with her mother, father, grandmother and sister, Nava Ulacio grew up in Venezuela. As political unrest took over the country, the South American nation was plagued by shortages of food, electricity and clean water. But she was able to find refuge during a time of deep crisis through her love of music.
At age 12, she joined El Sistema, Venezuela’s internationally renowned youth music program. It is the same youth music program that launched the career of Los Angeles (now New York) Philharmonic conductor Gustavo Dudamel. She first fell in love with flamenco guitar and cello and eventually began composing her own songs.
After landing at Aloha High School, she adapted to her new surroundings by using Google Translate in every class to better understand English and succeed. With the support of her teachers and the school’s career center, she joined the drama club, jazz band and choir. She graduated from Aloha with a 4.0 grade-point average and multiple performance accolades, including a nomination for the Signal to Noise Film Festival, Beaverton School District’s annual celebration of student-produced media.
“I never thought I’d perform in English,” she said. “But that first performance with my own band, in a language I had just learned—it was so empowering.”
Music instructors Jason Palmer (left) and Samuel Barbara with Sofia Nava Ulacio.
In 2023, Nava Ulacio started at PCC’s Rock Creek Campus and found support through the Oregon Promise Grant, Future Connect Scholarship Program and a City of Beaverton Youth Arts Scholarship. She quickly distinguished herself on campus, where she made her mark as the president and founding member of the Rock Creek Choir Club, became a volunteer and vice chair of the Beaverton Arts Commission, and worked as a casual staff member with Future Connect. She also organized a campus-wide talent show this spring and teaches youth via private music lessons.
“Sofia is truly one of a kind,” said Samuel Barbara, music instructor and director of the program’s choral and vocal music group. “She’s not only a gifted guitarist—her primary instrument—but also plays Venezuelan cuatro, bass, percussion, piano, and sings with precision and professionalism. She’s been the alto leader in my chamber choir for the last two years.”
He said Nava Ulacio has made a name for herself as one of the strongest musicians in the program, performing with choirs and bands and studying private voice, piano and guitar.
Nava Ulacio is headed to Lewis and Clark University on a full-ride scholarship.
“I found teachers who became mentors,” she said. “They helped me believe I could do this professionally. At Rock Creek, it feels like home—the community is smaller, more connected. And the music faculty? They’re incredible and well-known in the music scene and always working so hard for students. I wish they were even more appreciated.”
Nava Ulacio plans to accept a full-ride scholarship to Lewis and Clark University this fall to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Music Performance. She envisions a career blending Latin music, pop songwriting and composing for film.
“I used to want to be a civil engineer—just for the money,” Nava Ulacio said. “Now, I know music is where I’m meant to be. Music has no limits.”
As for her advice to other students?
“Don’t set the bar too low,” she said. “PCC helped me raise mine. I came here shy and unsure—and now I’m leaving ready.”
For more on PCC’s musical and arts offerings, visit the Music Program.