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Job coach trainers play an important role in the mission of Deseret Industries. They help associates improve their skills, learn how to be quality employees, and prepare for future job opportunities. Each associate has different needs, and the job coach trainers work individually with each associate to help them grow and make progress on their goals.

Our latest video features four of our dedicated job coach trainers playing a quartet, remixing the song featured in “A Piano’s Purpose.” Here is a little bit about each of the job coach trainers who play in the video.

Salt Lake City Public Library Pianist: Aaron Waite

Aaron has played the piano for more than 30 years. In addition to the piano, he plays the organ, percussion, hand bells, and guitar. He also sings and hopes to one day join the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. He enjoys writing and arranging religious music and has a website where he sells sheet music for his compositions.

“I feel that music is the easiest and strongest way for me to express my love of God, my Savior, and the restored gospel, and I enjoy strengthening others’ and my own testimony in this special way,” Aaron said.

Aaron enjoyed filming the video and being on set. “It was a blast working with the film crew, trying multiple angles, and really getting into the music,” Aaron said.

Aaron has been a job coach for Deseret Industries for 10 years. A lot of the associates he works with happen to be refugees and migrants, many of whom don’t speak any English when they are first enrolled in the program. He works diligently with his associates to help them learn English along with basic life skills. He currently supervises the cashiers and a few other small departments.

Abravanel Hall Pianist: Pablo Cintron

In addition to working as a job coach trainer, Pablo is a professional pianist. He started taking piano lessons when he was six years old and now has a master’s degree in music and is working on his doctorate.

“I am blessed to be able to express my feelings and emotions through music and by means of a piano,” Pablo said. “As I perform, I can clearly see how the power of music impacts people’s lives.  It is a universal language—many people can experience the same feelings at the same time.”

Participating in the video was a great opportunity for Pablo to provide art awareness. During the filming of the video, he noticed a lot of people stopping by and asking questions. “Music should be an integral part of our everyday life,” Pablo said.

Pablo has been a job coach trainer for 11 years. Working as a job coach trainer allows Pablo to fulfill his personal goal of providing help to those who are looking for a second chance in life.

The Gallivan Center Pianist: Jeff Goldman

Jeff started taking piano lessons in first grade and he has been playing ever since. He has accompanied high school and college choirs as well as local church congregations. He is also a singer and songwriter with an online presence. He writes about what matters most to him and loves sharing his music with others. He also participates in community theatre as an actor.

However, filming was a new experience for him. “I wasn't sure what to expect,” Jeff said. “But the producer was great to work with and made the experience comfortable, fun, and memorable.”

Jeff has been a job coach trainer for three and a half years. As a job coach trainer, he has to balance operations, which include things like working on the donation dock, and development duties, which include helping associates identify goals related to career aspirations and following up with them regularly on their progress. The typical day for Jeff is fast paced and gives him what he considers to be a great physical workout. He likes working for a nonprofit where the vision is simply to help others become self-reliant. It is rewarding for him to play a small part in that process.

The Chase Home Museum of Utah Folk Arts Pianist: Eric Jeffrey Hales

Eric started taking piano lessons when he was five. His mom and grandma were his first teachers. He never enjoyed playing traditional classical music, preferring to play contemporary music instead. In 2009, he started seriously writing music, and he still enjoys doing that today. 

“Filming was more enjoyable than I had anticipated,” Eric said. “The composer of the piano piece and the cameraman were both fun and easy to work with, and it was exciting to see them figure out camera angles and all of the technical aspects of the shoot.”

Eric has been a job coach trainer since 2013. He works side by side with his associates to identify their needs. He talks to associates about life, goals, and hopes. He has made some lifelong friends as he has sorted clothes or put away merchandise with associates. Working with and getting to know associates is what he enjoys most about his job.  

Learn more about what job coaches do, or go find our street pianos and play a tune of your own.