1st Generation People Of Color Patrick Copney Memorial Music/Arts Scholarship

I am passionate about pursuing a degree in music performance because it sits at the exact intersection of everything I am and everything I want to become. This isn't a field I stumbled into or chose out of convenience; it's the natural next step in a journey that started the moment I picked up a guitar at thirteen years old and realized that music was the most honest language I had ever encountered. For over five years, I taught myself to play across virtually every genre, using nothing but the internet, my ears, and an obsession I couldn't fully explain. That self-driven process gave me an incredibly strong foundation, but it also showed me exactly where my gaps were. I understood feel and instinct deeply. What I wanted was to match that with real technical mastery, the kind that transforms a passionate musician into a complete performer. A degree in music performance is precisely where those two worlds meet. What excites me most about this field of study is that it demands everything from you all at once. Performance isn't passive; it requires you to be technically precise and emotionally present simultaneously. Understanding how to command an instrument, interpret a piece, communicate feeling to an audience, and execute under pressure requires a level of training that goes far beyond self-study. It asks you to dig into music theory, history, and technique, not as abstract concepts but as living tools that directly shape how you play. That kind of deep, intentional development is something I am genuinely hungry for. Growing up in New York City surrounded by an endlessly diverse musical landscape fuels my passion for this particular degree. This city exposed me to jazz, hip hop, rock, R&B, classical, and everything in between before I ever formally studied any of it. Pursuing music performance means I get to take the broad musical vocabulary I've built through years of listening and playing, and learn how to channel it with precision and intention. I want to be the kind of performer who can move fluidly between genres and sounds because I understand the underlying architecture of all of them. Later, supplementing my self-taught foundation with private lessons gave me a taste of what structured training could unlock, and it only deepened my appetite for more. I am also passionate about this degree because of what it represents beyond the stage. Performance builds communication, discipline, and the ability to connect with people across every kind of background and barrier. The skills I develop in this program don't just make me a better guitarist; they shape me into a more complete artist and a more intentional human being. For a first-generation student who has had to carve his own path at every turn, that kind of growth is everything. Pursuing this degree is how I close the gap between where I am and where I know I'm capable of going. Every hour I've spent practicing, every song I've studied, and every stage I've stepped onto have been preparation for exactly this. I'm not just passionate about this degree. I'm ready for it.

What am I doing here? I was frozen backstage, surrounded by young Asian boys in custom-tailored suits, suddenly hyperaware of how my box braids defied gravity, how my dark skin absorbed light, and how my $99 “ruffled, too big” dress hung like a costume. “First in our family to play at Carnegie,” my grandmother whispered while braiding my hair that morning. She meant to encourage me, but her words felt heavy with expectation. Then my name was called. I sat at the piano, hands hovering above Middle C. In front of hundreds of unfamiliar faces, panic flooded my chest. I bolted. I hid in a bathroom stall, my forehead pressed against the cool porcelain wall as my heart pounded. A Black security guard with plaits like mine followed me. “You okay, baby?” she asked gently from outside the door. “They’re waiting for you.” Me? I don’t belong here. Eventually I left the stall and watched everyone else perform, each round of applause landing like a reminder of every note I should have played. A few months later, I almost ran again ，this time backstage at Circle in the Square Theatre on opening night of Broadway’s Once On This Island. I had quit piano and thrown myself into acting, filling my weeks with rehearsals, scripts, and auditions. Right before my first entrance, the same panic returned. My hands trembled. My breathing quickened. Then a fellow actor, Daniel, gave me a fist bump. “Break a leg!” he said. For the first time, I noticed how his skin reflected the stage lights like mine. Another actor, Cassondra, had braids just like me. I stepped onstage to sing “We Dance.” Instead of focusing on my fear, I focused on telling a story about hope breaking through barriers of race, class, and prejudice. When I took my final bow, something shifted. For the first time in a long time, I believed I could belong onstage. Three years later, I returned to piano lessons, determined to reclaim the instrument I once abandoned. There was no dramatic comeback just aching wrists, endless scales, and missed notes repeated until they became muscle memory. At my first competition back, I even began my Chopin piece on the wrong note. But this time, I didn’t run. I took a breath, found my place, and kept playing. The performance earned me an honorable mention, but more importantly, it restored my confidence. Over the next year, I practiced through exhaustion and doubt. The pieces that once intimidated me Chopin’s turbulence, Debussy’s quiet, Bach’s clarity slowly became familiar. When I finally returned to Carnegie Hall, everything felt different. My posture was steady, my fingers calm. As I played, I thought about my grandmother braiding my hair, the guard comforting me, and my castmates encouraging me all reminding me, in their own ways, that I belong. Today, I teach piano to little Black and brown girls who hesitate before placing their fingers on the keys, just like I once did. I tell them that their hands deserve this music too. Music has become more than performance for me it is a way to create belonging. That is why I want to pursue a degree in music: to grow as a pianist while helping expand access to classical music for students who, like I once did, wonder if they belong in it.

Art has always been more than expression to me. It’s been survival, liberation, and connection. As a first-generation college student from a low-income Black family, my creative path has never been easy, but it’s always been necessary. I’m currently studying Motion Pictures and Television with an emphasis in screenwriting, and transferring to NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts this fall. My goal is to tell stories that center Black and queer lives narratives that often go untold or are misunderstood. To use my voice to illuminate the beauty, complexity, and resilience of communities like my own. Growing up, I didn’t see many reflections of myself on screen. The people who looked or loved like me were usually erased, sidelined, or stereotyped. But I found light in the cracks. A poem written late at night, a homemade short film shared with a few friends, a melody hummed under my breath while washing dishes. Each creative act became a quiet protest against invisibility. Storytelling became my way of making meaning out of chaos, grief, and longing. And now, I want to dedicate my life to helping others feel seen, understood, and empowered through art. My degree isn’t just a piece of paper — it’s a gateway to opportunity. It represents a promise to my younger self, who never thought she’d make it this far, and to all the kids who are still waiting for someone to tell their story with care. The discipline of screenwriting has taught me the importance of structure, pacing, and revision. Not just in scripts, but in life. Through my studies, I’ve also learned how to collaborate across differences, to give and receive feedback with grace, and to persevere through uncertainty. Especially when the odds feel stacked against me. Financial hardship is a constant in my life. My family has weathered loss, housing insecurity, and economic instability, and I often balance my artistic dreams with the realities of survival. I’m on SNAP, and every dollar counts. But what I lack in resources, I make up for in drive. I write even when I’m tired. I record voiceovers in closets. I take online jobs to afford basic equipment. And I keep going because I believe in the power of art to break cycles and build bridges. The legacy of Patrick Copney, someone who loved music and art deeply resonates with me. I, too, want to leave a legacy rooted in love, creativity, and upliftment. I want to make films that explore both the joys and struggles of marginalized life. I want to mentor youth who, like me, need encouragement and space to dream. And I want to continue growing as an artist who isn’t afraid to be bold, honest, and vulnerable. Receiving this scholarship would not only ease the financial burden of my transition to NYU, but also affirm that my story matters, and that someone believes in my vision. I am deeply committed to honoring that belief through the work I create and the lives I touch. Thank you for considering my application and for supporting students like me who are using art to heal and transform the world.

As an emerging filmmaker, I am interested in exploring the stories of people whose voices are often unheard. My films will focus on themes of identity, justice, and resilience, and will explore how these issues are experienced differently by different people. I am passionate about creating films that tell honest, meaningful stories that can spark dialogue and change. I plan to explore these themes through a variety of methods, including narrative fiction, documentary, and nonfiction. I am particularly drawn to documentary filmmaking because of its ability to capture a unique, real-life story and to bring attention to an issue or a person who otherwise wouldn’t have a voice. I also believe that narrative fiction is a powerful tool for exploring difficult, complex topics in a more subtle and impactful way. Filmmaking is the perfect opportunity to create stories and bring them to life. I love the process of developing a story, the collaboration of multiple people and inspiring people with my work. Making films gives me the power to shape individuals’ perceptions and challenge them to think in new ways. It's exciting and rewarding when I create something meaningful, and I am excited to pursue it further at a higher level. I have been passionate about the art of filmmaking for as long as I can remember. Filmmaking has always felt like an incredibly powerful medium to bring stories to life, and I am constantly amazed at how a few elements such as lighting, sound, music, and excellent storytelling can combine together to craft unforgettable films that can leave an indelible impact on audiences. With my degree in filmmaking, I aim to use this medium of expression to create captivating visuals while exploring meaningful themes and stories. The idea of creating emotionally resonant films both excites and motivates me and is ultimately why I am so passionate about pursuing a degree in filmmaking. One of the most influential cinematic elements I’ve ever seen is the opening sequence from the film “the red balloon” (1965). It begins with a close-up of a black horse’s head and slowly zooms out to reveal the entire horse, the street it’s standing on, and the surrounding neighborhood. The camera then pans up to show the top of the street, the sky, and the iconic orange titles. Throughout the sequence, there is a low, ominous score that sets the mood for what’s to come. This scene has impacted me deeply and has greatly influenced the type of filmmaker I aspire to be. It has taught me the importance of creating a powerful atmosphere with visuals and music. I now make sure to think carefully about the mood I want to create with my films and the way I want to present my characters and stories. I also pay close attention to how I use the camera to convey the emotion of a scene, something I learned from this scene in “The Godfather”. My personal approach to filmmaking is heavily influenced by this scene. It has taught me the importance of creating a powerful atmosphere with visuals and music. I now make sure to think carefully about the mood I want to create with my films and the way I want to present my characters and stories. I also pay close attention to how I use the camera to convey the emotion of a scene, something I learned from this scene in “The Godfather”. I strive to create films that are emotionally powerful and that leave a lasting impact on my audience, just as this scene did for me.

I am passionate because when I was in the 10th grade in September 2019, my father told me that no longer I could go to school and come home after school ends at 2:30, he told me that I had no choice but to go to an afterschool program, to further enhance my learning. At first, I was upset with this & displeased, but then I stumbled upon a club led by a teacher in the school for videography, in which we worked with cameras and sets in the school, and outside nearby the school to capture scenes to create films. It sounded interesting to me, and I decided that I would enter the club.I ended up playing a minor role in a film being shot for the halloween season with club members, and it was my first ever taste of doing acting. I had to run in a gym from a killer who was secretly out for everyone, taking us all out one by one. The film actually ended up being not allowed to be publicly shown to the school even though it was finished due to it being considered by the school as too graphic, which I felt it wasn't really graphic and so didn't our club members either, but It was so fun lining up with other people and standing in specific spots, and being instructed but to also improvise what we could add to scenes that our director named Dr.Mike was asking for. I initially thought having to do afterschool would be a pain to deal with, but when the club met on Tuesdays & Thursdays, those were my favorite days because of how fun it was to be in the club. After the halloween film, we took a break for the winter season & we were going to return in March to start a romantic comedy film, but unfortunately, came a large problem. The COVID-19 Pandemic hit hard in 2020, and schools across the nation went remote causing major disruptions in learning, and my school transitioned to remote learning at home completely for 2020, and partially in 2021, and that meant I couldn't go to my club anymore. I even emailed my teacher in 2021 when school partially reopened for most days of the week if the club could be brought back, alas unfortunately Dr. Mike couldn't bring it back. Then began the 2021- 2022 year in high school, which would be my final year as a senior. The club still didn't return, but I decided from how I positively recalled my experience with the club that I would look for a college in NYC that offered a Theatre Major, and make it my career as before I went to that acting club, I didn't know what I wanted as a career in my life, but the club changed everything. I had troubles finding a college that didn't require an audition because even though I had an interest for acting, most colleges required me to pass an audition requiring a monologue, but I wasn't specialized enough in acting to prepare something like this well. Fortunately, I came across the College of Mount Saint Vincent, which offered Theatre as a major, and I stumbled upon them at a college fair in my high school, and they were the only college that offered Theatre as a major & without the need for auditioning, which had me sold. Taking my desire to continue acting from a hobby to a potential career out of interest for it, I then enrolled & have started my freshman journey beginning September 2022.

Music is a language; it embodies the very passion of its creators' creative spirit and translates into a dialect that needs no explanation or introduction. It is felt and understood; comprehensible with anyone's interpretation. Music is the universal language that we all speak; even without all of its significant attributes, such as lyrics or a popularized pop melody, music has the potential to leave a lasting impact. It’s something that connects us. My dream is to pursue a career in music, creating art forged from the emotions and passions that reside within me. I aspire to create sounds and pen lyrics that feel like happiness, love, relatability, and understanding or mirror the spirit of contentment or a good time: holding a presence that could raise someone from the depths of despair or make a good day better. When I attain those aspirations, I hope to inspire anyone who listens; confident music will propagate positivity. My music alone won't change the world but could affect the individuals that have the potential to create a difference. Music has always been an integral part of me; it has gotten me through all the phases of emotions a teenage girl could go through in the confusing time of adolescence. It was always available to me and whenever I was upset I knew that I could write or create something that would help me share my experiences or tell what I was going through. Life was not always kind in the past, and writing allowed me a place to put all of my energy into good or bad. Many times, I’d forgotten that I, a dreamer, had expectations that took time. Often, so much of my life was consumed by the many passions in me that grew restless in the dull times I spent in prolonged periods of procrastination and reflection. I thought I was owed time because elements of my life weren’t promising, and began to take it for granted, but through this pain, tears, and sculpting of myself, I found art. I found music. Music was everywhere, in every component of life. Music didn’t have rules, I was free to express emotion into an outlet that only powered me to be the best I could be. This rewrote my vision for myself in an almost therapeutic way that allowed me to empty my emotions into music instead of keeping them bottled up. This is why I write music. For expression, emoted through what I love. Even more, I feel music is my gift. I want to share it with the world in hopes that it may inspire others. I desire to do what I love, creating art you cannot see, letting the words and melodies create the image that makes it worth anything to those who’ll listen. Music will always be a vital part of me. Whether I'm listening to it or creating it, I want to leave something behind in this world that I know could have impacted someone else. Furthering my education in music, I hope to lay the foundation that all my dreams will form upon. Music enriches the very being that is me, and being able to pursue a career in the field would not only be a dream come true but a step in all the directions that lead right. In my hands, I hold the power to create something timeless that transcends all time and can draw love from all hate; that is the power in prose and strength in music, that we all must come together to enjoy. Music to me holds a place for everyone.

I am passionate about pursuing this degree because I want to make a difference in the world and see my beliefs come to fruition. Going to my #1 choice, Howard University will allow me to have the boost that I need following my graduation. I have a dream that will positively affect myself and my family. I want to be an actor and an eventual filmmaker. I've wanted to be an actor since I was ten, and it was always so hard to find casting calls. Even to this day, later in life, I want to provide minority students who want to work in entertainment with an opportunity to do whatever career that they are trying to do. My family has always done so much for me, and I want to be able to earn my degrees and start working so that I can help them even more than they have helped me. I'm now enrolled at LaGuardia Community College. Howard University appealed to me because, according to relatives, friends, my high school teachers, and current students on social media, it is a terrific place to make friends and meet interesting people. It's also an HBCU, which is exactly what I'm looking for. As a black male from New York, it's all too easy to be mistaken for someone you're not. So, I'd like to be around the same types of folks I grew up with, but in a much nicer setting. Following my hopeful acceptance to Howard University, I want to meet individuals from all over the country, network with other theater majors, and find people who are truly perfect for me, not just a forced friendship. Academically, I'd like to understand more about the acting industry, including what it's like and what kinds of experiences people have had. Professionally, I'd want to enter as someone who earned their spot, not someone who got lucky. Overall, I mainly need this degree because I have an immediate financial need. I originally wanted to go to an out-of-state university following my graduation, back in June 2021. Due to an unforeseen financial situation, I was unable to. Thank God, I found my place at Laguardia. I made sure that my grades were top-notch so that I could get these scholarships and make it to those schools without having to pay back loans. Thank you for taking your time to read this, and stay safe!