Kap Slap "Find Your Sound" Music Grant

If money was not an issue, I would already begin preparations to build the performing arts school of my dreams. I have always wanted to provide a place where artists can spend their time cultivating their craft. I plan to call this school Yeux Frais Academy. "Yeux Frais" means "Fresh Eyes in French. I thought that a foreign name would be more interesting. I picked out the name inspired by Andy Grammar's song titled Fresh Eyes. I think about how artists of any sort such as singers, composers, painters, dancers, and musicians can change our entire perspective through their craft. It is almost as if you are seeing the world through a set of new eyes. I discovered how passionate I was about music when I began Arranging for acapella in 8th grade. A friend of mine introduced me to software known as Musecore where you can create your own musical scores for both choral and instrumental. I wrote about four arrangements that weren't really up to snuff before I gathered the confidence to audition for my High school's a capella group, and tell the director about my work. It all happened in a flash. I carried my new found passion for writing music into freshman year with me, watching our group perform and wondering what it would sound like if I heard my work, sung by real, human voices. My older sister was a member at the time and supported me all the way through and told the director about me and my work. Next thing I know, not only am I a member of the group but I also won Outstanding Arrangement for the entire set at the 2019 ICHSA Mid-Atlantic Quarterfinals. I've been listening to competitive acapella ever since 2016, but being apart of it and achieving results is an entirely different ball game. No matter where I am all I can ever think about is being on the stage and being surrounded by people who have a passion much like my own. People who see the importance behind what I do. I'm very interested in continuing my competitive acapella career in college and I hope that not only do I gain more knowledge in terms of musical theory and creativity, but I get in touch with people who know and understand how great my passion is for music and creating it. I also wish to get in touch with people who can show me many ways to improve my writing, whether it's expanding on my musical knowledge, showing me new software, or cleaning up my musical notation. I think that if I opened such a place where kids my age are able to have the same dreams, and goals I do, I have succeeded in my mission.