As a junior studying Business Administration and Music Industry at the University of Southern California, my academic and career journey has been both challenging and transformative. At the age of 12, I received a life-changing diagnosis: “Your ear’s basically dead,” the doctor said. “There’s nothing you can do.” I went from being a girl who sang and played instruments for hours every day to struggling to hear the world around me. Simple conversations became daunting, and my ability to enjoy music, my greatest passion, was severely hampered by the high-pitched tinnitus in my right ear. My grades plummeted as I struggled to follow classroom instructions and engage in discussions.
Despite these challenges, my journey took a hopeful turn when I received a cochlear implant last summer. I now use the Nucleus 8 and Kanso 2 devices, which have significantly improved my hearing. These devices allow me to stream phone calls, podcasts, shows, and music directly to my cochlear implant (CI), making day-to-day life easier while retraining my ear. With speech therapy and consistent practice, I’ve made tremendous progress. My audiologist tells me my hearing has improved tenfold, although there’s still room for improvement. Some voices remain difficult to understand, but I am confident that with continued effort, I will achieve the clarity I desire. Additionally, the implant has significantly reduced the constant ringing in my ear, relieving me of emotional and mental strain.
Since the implant, I have regained my academic footing and am now a Dean’s List student at USC. Conversations have become more manageable, and most importantly, my love for music has been rekindled. This transformation has been pivotal in shaping my professional aspirations. My passion for A&R (Artist and Repertoire) has deepened as I continue my studies. I’m driven to discover new talent and tell stories that evoke deep emotions—stories of heartbreak, happiness, self-love, and resilience. Growing up with a hearing impairment has given me a unique perspective on what makes a song or artist stand out. I listen for authenticity, passion, and the ability to connect with listeners on a deeper level.
Upon completing my degree, I aspire to lead a label’s A&R department or run my own music conglomerate. I plan to pursue a Master’s in Music Industry or Business Administration to deepen my understanding of the business side of the industry. I hope my story serves as a testament that there is no physical requirement for success in the music industry. While diversity is improving, I aim to help close the gap by dedicating my career to providing opportunities for underrepresented groups in the industry, such as people of color, women, and people with disabilities.
My commitment to this cause is evident through my active participation in several organizations. As a member of Gearfest, a student organization dedicated to amplifying Black talent and businesses in LA, I help showcase artists like Jhene Aiko, Brent Faiyaz, and Jordan Ward. Additionally, my involvement in the Disabled Music Fans Collective, a nonprofit focused on disability advocacy and representation within the music industry, is driven by my personal experiences. I strive to ensure that concerts and music events are accessible to all, reflecting my dedication to inclusivity. As Communications Chair for Live Nation & Femme It Forward’s Next Gem Femme's California Chapter, I also promote events that uplift women of color in the business aspects of the music industry.
While growing up with a hearing impairment has been challenging, it has given me a unique perspective and drive to succeed. I am committed to making a difference in the music industry, ensuring all voices are heard and celebrated.
As a first-generation college student attending Worcester State University, I am an English major with minors in Theatre and Spanish, encompassing all of my skills and passions. Worcester State University is also meaningful to me as it is my best choice for college due to my hearing loss. Worcester State University has no large lecture halls, creating a classroom environment more suited for my hearing loss.
Becoming hard-of-hearing during September of my sophomore year of high school was a difficult transition. It made it difficult to be a student; I could not hear the teacher during lessons or my classmates during group work. This also impacted me socially, as I could not hear my friends while at lunch to participate in the conversation. During this time, I grew more anxious, as I would miss a lot of information during spoken communication. The onset of the pandemic did not help, as it made it impossible to lipread, which I came to rely on heavily. Dealing with ableism has also provided its own challenge; the invasive questions from strangers, infantilization, and “corrections” regarding disability from non-disabled people got old quickly.
While the transition was difficult, I am now stronger and proud of my hearing loss. I got some assistive technology and accommodations, being my hearing aid and FM system at school. I grew the courage to advocate for myself and tell my friends, teachers, and classmates how best to communicate with me. Admittedly, it is still difficult to be hard-of-hearing in a hearing world; I still can't hear the oven alarm from the next room over and mix up the first sounds of words. However, I would not change my hearing loss, as it is now a part of myself that I find pride in. With these valuable skills that my hearing loss has taught me, I feel that I can conquer any new challenge that I come across throughout the rest of my life.
Moreover, I have loved English for as long as I can remember. I truly love all aspects of it: reading, writing, research, etc. The latter is a field in which I became interested while obtaining an Advanced Placement Capstone diploma from Collegeboard. I have found through their courses that I enjoy the research process and learning about unique inquiries to present to others and share that newfound knowledge, such as my AP Research discipline of disability representation in recent American film. Furthermore, I have a passion for creative writing, specifically plays. I have written four plays, two of which have been performed. Writing, directing, and starring in my play for the Shepherd Hill Regional High School Drama Club Spring 2022 production elicited great skills in me, preparing me for such endeavors with my minor in Theatre. I also volunteered for the Dudley Middle School Drama Club consistently throughout my high school years. It is a dream of mine to become a published playwright, and such opportunities pave the way for that dream to come true.
After graduating, I want to become an editor or work in the publishing industry. Living in Massachusetts makes this goal more realistic, as the city is a hotspot for such work. A professor also recommended me as a candidate to work at the Writing Center, which I will be able to start next year. Having a Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy and seven years of learning Spanish will also be a useful skill for my endeavors. Therefore, I foresee success for myself in any of these aspects of my chosen major in English and minors in Theatre and Spanish at Worcester State University.
