By: Kathryn Hodgins, Content and Public Relations Specialist, Florida Virtual School

FLVS Full Time senior Xander Zambrano has found that the flexibility of virtual learning gives him space to pursue his passion for music.

For most high school seniors, the year is filled with studying, part-time jobs, and making plans for life after graduation. But for FLVS Full Time 17-year-old Xander Zambrano of Auburndale, Fla.,  senior year looks a little different. Between writing songs, recording with his band, planning a multi-state tour, and preparing to graduate a full year early, Xander is proving that online learning can open doors for creative students with big goals.

Xander is the guitarist, vocalist, and co-songwriter for Senior Year, an Illinois-based DIY indie band he formed in 2024 with Beckett Simpson and Macklan Murphy. What began as three friends playing small local shows quickly evolved into something more, especially after their second album drew attention far beyond their hometown.

But when Xander moved to Florida during his sophomore year, balancing school, life, and music became more challenging. 

“With in-person school, I didn’t always have the time or energy to write or compose.“I wanted something with more freedom,” said Xander. “

With his parents' support, Xander enrolled in FLVS Full Time.

Balancing School and Music Through Online Learning

For Xander, balancing schoolwork with a growing commitment to music required a schedule that didn’t compete with rehearsals, recording sessions, or travel. He says enrolling in FLVS Full Time provided the structure he needed to manage both. Working ahead on assignments allowed him to devote uninterrupted time to producing music and periodically flying back to Illinois to collaborate with his bandmates.

His academic work often intersected with his creative interests. One FLVS course, Music of the World, broadened his perspective on how music reflects the experiences of the people who create it.

“It helped me see music less theoretically and more through the lens of people and culture,” he said. “It showed me how socioeconomic issues and human stories shape music around the world.”

Growing A DIY Band

Senior Year’s musical identity is proudly DIY. They burn their own CDs, meaning they record their music onto blank discs using their own computers, and then design their own album art. They cut and fold each cover themselves and sell them at shows, keeping every part of the process personal and homemade.

This summer, the band will go on a week-and-a-half-long multi-state tour across Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Indiana to celebrate their upcoming third album. After graduating in May, Xander plans to take a gap year to continue touring before attending college, possibly at the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign.

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Editor’s Note: This article is published in connection with National Arts Month.