Every morning for 20 years, the students of Harmony Science Academy in Fort Worth have sung and danced their way into school as “Mr. Mullini” greeted them with live music. One by one, the students joined their music teacher, typically performing songs he wrote. The songs varied depending on the occasion, with Christmas jingles, Spanish Cinco De Mayo songs and even songs about cleaning shoes for rainy days.

But now that the final bell for the 2025-26 school year has rung, the mornings will be a little quieter. Luiz Mullini Nascimento taught his last class as a music teacher at Harmony on May 22 after 20 years with perfect attendance. Mullini credits his perfect attendance record to his father, who never missed a day at his job growing up in Brazil.

“It was not easy,” Mullini said. “It was very hard for a sub to do my lesson plans because we had a band, we have choirs, and I have a lot of things. I also think it’s because I barely ever get sick.”

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Mullini taught all things music, such as playing instruments, music notations and original songs. He began teaching in 2006 when Harmony first opened. He first taught music to pre-K to high school students, but switched to only teaching pre-K to second during his last two years due to Harmony’s growth and building expansions.

“He always said that anybody could sing, and that it didn’t matter what they thought they could do, they could do it,” Harmony principal Stephanie Wynn said. “I think it was more about him just giving them confidence. 

“Every kid walked out of that room with more confidence than they had when they went in.”

Mullini’s impact at Harmony went beyond his students, reaching faculty members as well.

When Jesica Vasani joined Harmony as an art teacher eight years ago, Mullini was assigned to be her mentor. They were both in the fine arts department and shared a classroom for two years, so they quickly grew close. 

Vasani’s father died in 2018. And soon after, she knew that Mullini would be part of her wedding.

“I knew for enough time that I wanted [Mullini] to walk me down the aisle,” Vasani said. “I’ve always seen him as a father figure.”

For “fine arts nights” at Harmony, Vasani always made sure Mullini had a tie to match the party theme, even once one covered with dinosaurs. The same went for the wedding, so she made him a red tie to match her red jacket.

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“I didn’t know that I had that much impact on her life, but she’s like a daughter for me,” Mullini said. “She’s amazing.”

Upon his retirement, Vasani compiled a scrapbook with over 500 letters, origami and homemade art pieces from students and faculty to surprise Mullini. 

“He was always so positive, and he pushed that off onto staff,” Wynn said. “He challenged everybody around him to just be happy with what they were doing, and enjoy what they were doing, and if they didn’t enjoy it, to go find something they did enjoy.”

After 20 years with no breaks, Mullini is looking forward to relaxing, spending time with his two grandsons and traveling to Brazil for two weeks.

Mullini’s music career is not coming to a complete end, though. He said he will continue teaching music at his church, Iglesia Templo Jerusalen in Fort Worth. 

“I feel good, but I know that in two weeks, I’ll miss the action,” Mullini said. “I think I’ll miss that participation of the students, engagement of the classroom and the music program.”