For as long as I can remember I have loved music. When I was four years old my mom put me in a charter school in the Bronx. The charter school was bilingual and offered music and dance classes. In this school, I learned my love of music. I learned to play the violin until 8 when I switched to the cello and was always involved in the school choir. After elementary and middle school, it was time to graduate and start looking for high schools. For me, my top high school choices were either Talent Unlimited or Laguardia High School. There were so many kids auditioning and only a 10% acceptance rate. But I went for it anyway. Then a few months later, I opened up the portal and it said I had gotten accepted to both Laguardia for vocal and Talent Unlimited for vocal. I was shocked, to say the least, but I immediately put in my decision and went to Laguardia High School. This is where I discovered my love for performing. I was involved in chorus, opera, and musical theater. All the while making my own music to post on YouTube. It was the most amazing experience and now I'm at Hofstra University studying Music Performance with a minor in Musical Theater. I owe my love for music to my mom. She has been there for me through everything and has always supported my decisions. Without her and without music, I don't know who I would be today.
Music has taught me how to be more confident in myself. I'm an overthinker and honestly my worst critic. Music and performing have allowed me to express myself and just grow more confident in my abilities. When it comes to music I'm always pushing myself and surprising myself with the things I can do. Like writing an EP, learning how to mix my songs, creating an acapella mashup for a club I'm trying to start up at college, writing actual sheet music, and so much more. In music, I'm always learning and trying new things to expand my abilities. Music has given me a passion and that alone has changed my life completely. My entire life has revolved around it and I can't imagine me wanting to do anything else.
As a performer, I love music’s ability to transport audiences to another world, away from the struggles of everyday life. That's why I would love the opportunity to do the same. Living in NY all my life I've always loved going to Broadway shows and it would be amazing to do what those performers do, spreading joy through music. As a songwriter, I aspire to create music that resonates with others. I hope to release my album and EP very soon. As a singer, well I just want the opportunity to do what I love. However, my ambitions extend beyond personal success. I plan to establish my own record label, creating opportunities for artists of color to pursue their dreams. Making a living in the arts is hard enough and I want to give artists a chance to express themselves and be heard by others.
I am writing to express my profound interest in applying for this Music Scholarship. I am currently doing my undergraduate studies at the Manhattan School of Music. My major is classical piano. As a passionate and dedicated musician, I believe that this scholarship will provide me with invaluable opportunities to further my musical education and contribute meaningfully to the field of music.
From a young age, music has been an integral part of my life. My journey began when I started taking piano lessons at the age of eight. The melodies and harmonies I created on the piano became a source of joy and a means of expressing my emotions. As I grew older, my passion for music only deepened, leading me to practice more and to surpass my limits. I always loved to go to listen to orchestral cocerts because each instrument opens up a new world of musical possibilities and broadened my understanding and appreciation of music.
Throughout my academic career, I have sought every opportunity to enhance my musical skills and knowledge. I have participated in numerous school and community ensembles, including chamber music and choir. These experiences have taught me the importance of collaboration and teamwork, as well as the discipline required to excel as a musician. Additionally, I have attended several music workshops and masterclasses, where I have had the privilege of learning from distinguished musicians and educators. These experiences have not only honed my technical skills but also inspired me to pursue a career in music. For example, I had the opportunity to be a student of Dimitri Bashkirov in Spain. He was one of the best teachers I ever met. He was a great treacher and person. Sadly, he passed away in 2021. I also had the privilege to study with Dr. Solomon Mikowsky in NYC for the past academic year. Unfortunately, he also passed away this year. Despite the short collaboration we had I learned many important things from him. These experiences were both demanding and rewarding, and solidified my desire to pursue music at a higher level. I am particularly passionate about classical music, and I am eager to delve deeper into music theory, composition, and performance.
This Scholarship will be instrumental in helping me achieve my academic and professional goals. The financial support will allow me to focus more on my studies and less on the financial burden of tuition and other related expenses. Moreover, the scholarship will enable me to access advanced musical training and resources that are crucial for my development as a musician. I am committed to making the most of this opportunity by dedicating myself fully to my studies and contributing positively to the musical community at MSM.
In conclusion, I am confident that my passion, dedication, and achievements in music make me a strong candidate for this Musical Scholarship. I am excited about the possibility of furthering my musical education and making meaningful contributions to the field of music. Thank you for considering my application.
Sincerely,
David Solomon.
