Marshall and Dorothy Smith Music Scholarship

The Happy Birthday Surprise that Made me, me! My favorite day of the year is my birthday. It could be the Cash App notifications or my annual slice of Oreo cheesecake. However, nothing compares to my 8th birthday, when I received a gift that kept giving. The day began with her slipping a pillowcase over my head. Stumbling down the hallway," Mommy has a surprise for you!" she whispered. She guided me to my room, giggling behind the camera as she recorded the moment. Then, one, two, three—she pulled the cover off. "Eeeeeee! Yes, yes, yes!" I squealed. There was a white Casio keyboard, paired with an iPad Mini, ready to lead me on a journey. The tablet lit up like magic. I tapped on the Yousician learning icon, and a colorful adventure began. Notes bounced across the screen as I played rhythms, scales, and my first song, La Bamba. With every note, the piano became my favorite place in the world. On my 12th birthday, my mom upgraded my piano to a Yamaha upright grand. Meanwhile, Mr. Gouvêa, a passionate pianist, prepared me for the American Protégé piano competition. For my winning prize, I found myself underneath the golden lights of Carnegie Hall at just 14 years old. Feeling like a princess in my black sequin gown, my fingers drifted like clouds over the ivory and black keys as Chopin's Nocturne No. 2 in C-sharp minor flowed with emotion. As the final note fell, a swirling wave of applause filled the room. That's when I knew I wanted to become a concert pianist. But I had a lot of work to do. I started participating in piano intensives at the University of Georgia and Berklee College of Music. I was on a college tour, surrounded by other pianists who lived and breathed piano. I embraced the experience, feeling both inspired and shaken. I immediately realized the competition was looking fierce and preparing my portfolio wasn't going to be easy. Time wasn't on my side, and neither was money. My single mom lost her job when I was 15. Piano lessons suddenly became a luxury we couldn't afford anymore. I didn't know where to begin. Working in fast food or at the mall would have been far too tempting—food, clothes, makeup—I'd blow every paycheck. With college auditions approaching, I couldn't sacrifice school or piano practice either. I needed a job that paid well and didn't require too much time or temptation. Then it hit me—teach piano! Teaching added a deeper purpose to my life. I guided quiet fingers as they transformed into melodic messengers. Under my instruction, brown girls like Ava found inspiration simply because someone who looked like them was there to represent and light their path. I knew then that representation wasn't just a buzzword but my calling. As I look back, I am so grateful for my happy birthday surprise and a supportive mother. What started with a Casio keyboard and an iPad became a launchpad for my career in piano performance and education. Now, I'm ready to live each day filled with curiosity, satisfaction, and a sense of purpose. First, I will study Piano Performance at Spelman College and prepare to become Dr. Bella Michael at the New England Conservatory. Then, one day, I'll perform on world-renowned stages and open a music academy, not for applause but to spark the gifts within others. Because with every melody I play and every note I teach, I am excited to share the gift of music—one that made my life! Happy Birthday Moment YouTube Short: https://youtube.com/shorts/PXZQV5MtbMw?feature=share  Performance Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBOdJdQqwHw

From my earliest memories, music had been the language through which I have communicated most eloquently. I have always had the propensity for melody and song, and the moments I am in front of a room performing are moments where I feel most alive. This had led me to be certain in my choice to study Music Performance. I am looking forward to developing my technique through intensive study with world-class teachers. I am also excited to explore the music of a wide range of composers and to expand my understanding of the historical and cultural context of classical music. I am particularly interested in learning more about the works of Bach and other Baroque composers, as well as exploring the music of the Romantic and Modern eras. My long-term goal is to become a professional performer who can inspire audiences around the world with my music. I hope to perform as a soloist and as part of ensembles, and to share my passion for music through teaching and community outreach. Ultimately, I want to make a positive impact on the world through my music, and to contribute to the future of classical music. I believe that it is my responsibility to advocate for the rights and needs of students with disabilities. There are many challenges that these students face, such as inaccessible facilities, a lack of resources, and negative attitudes from others. I want to work to change this by educating myself and others about the unique challenges that students with disabilities face, and by working to create an environment that is truly inclusive and respectful of their needs. This includes not only improving accessibility, but also changing attitudes and approaches to teaching and learning. I believe that all students deserve to have the opportunity to reach their full potential, and I am committed to doing my part to make that a reality. With the right support and resources, students with disabilities can achieve great things. In my studies, I would focus on improving the mental health resources available to students. Mental health is an important part of overall well-being, and I believe that students should have access to the support they need to succeed in their studies. I would work to raise awareness of mental health issues and advocate for better funding and support for mental health services on campus. My motivation for studying vocal performance is to pass down my knowledge and skills to future generations, particularly those who may have a harder time learning. I understand the challenges of having to put in more time and effort to achieve the same results as my peers, and I want to use my experience to help others who may feel discouraged or alone in their journey. And also to those who has not hear of classical music before, to make it accessible to them. Especially in my country Nigeria where it is limited to mostly the rich, as someone from a family in need I understand what it means not to have access to classical music and I intend to change that by bringing classical music to their ears so they can be inspired like me and enjoy the blessedness of it. Everyone deserves a chance to learn and grow, no matter how long it takes. I hope to make a difference in the lives of others through my dedication and perseverance.