When I was young, I learned how to read music at the same time I learned how to read books. Notes and letters ran like water over the pages, and I ran after chasing the waterfall. Initially, I took piano lessons through an early childhood music program. I remember visiting my grandmother, a musician and conductor whom I didn’t see often, eager to show her my improvement. She sat next to me on the piano bench and tried to help me progress further as my stubborn young self argued over her alphabetical system of notes and the solfège I was learning. Now, her piano rests in my house, occasionally awakened as I caress the keys in an attempt to remember my grandmother along with piano technique. My mother’s flute rests in its case on my bookshelf, the silver metal dulled with age and cool against my fingers when I bring it out to play. If piano was the spark that lit the fire of my passion for music, learning flute was a gust of wind fanning the flames. Playing the flute introduced me to the concert band experience and the joy of improving my skill. Once I felt satisfied with my progress on flute, I began to learn the oboe. Joining the high school concert band led to joining the marching band, jazz ensemble, symphony orchestra, pit orchestra, and the local youth orchestra. As I’ve matured, I’ve learned to appreciate the nuances of music and the range of emotions and stories it can convey. I’ve tried to learn the art of conveying those emotions and stories through my own music. Through it all, I was supported, guided, and inspired by several teachers and performers. I would not be where or who I am today without them. Now, as I begin looking towards my own career, I intend to help others the way my teachers helped me. Every student should be able to learn music if they so desire. Unfortunately, many students do not have these opportunities. Private lessons can be expensive, and private instructors can be hard to find, particularly in areas without local ensembles or for students learning less common instruments. School music programs are often underfunded and led by overworked teachers. Sometimes schools can’t afford quality instruments for students to learn with, or have limited availability. This puts pressure on parents to buy instruments for their students, which can be expensive. Many ensembles outside of school are audition-based, which limits students’ opportunities. Additionally, some students with disabilities face challenges with being accommodated in music. It can be difficult, for example, for someone with limited arm mobility to play an instrument such as the violin. I believe all students should be able to learn music, so I intend to do everything I can to support my students. I will do my best to help each student meet their musical goals, to help them learn and have an enjoyable band experience, and to advocate for school music programs. My goal is to work with high school students in a variety of ensemble settings. In addition to that, I intend to teach oboe lessons. When I began learning oboe, I struggled constantly and had to teach myself a significant portion of what I know. I want to be the teacher I wished I had when I was struggling. Finally, I intend to perform with a local ensemble and share the beauty of music with the audience. Music is something to be shared and celebrated. I hope to use my musical abilities to make the world around me a better place.

Throughout my life, people have asked me what I want to be when I grow up. As a child, I often changed my mind. Sometimes I thought about being a veterinarian and helping animals. Other times I thought about being a baker and bringing people joy through my food. Now, I’ve decided to become a musician and music teacher. The one thing that hasn’t changed is my desire to have a positive impact on the world around me. When thinking about careers that help people, one often thinks about doctors, nurses, and firefighters. While these careers are extremely valuable, musicians and music educators can also help people. My music has helped me become a better version of myself. Even something as simple as singing in the shower helps me let go of stress and process my emotions. This allows me to be the better person that my students deserve. When I’m teaching, I will be able to help my students learn and grow, not just as musicians but as people. They will learn life lessons through music. They'll learn perseverance, for example, or time management. For some of them, music will be a form of expression. It will help them convey and process their emotions or thoughts without needing words. For others, music will help them find their community. They'll find friends and people to support them. Perhaps some will even be inspired to become musicians or music educators themselves. They'll be able to share their passion for music with the world or their students. Because music will help my students, it will help me have a positive impact on the world. I can also have a positive impact on the world through my photography. Often, people focus on work, school, or other important activities. People don't always take the time to be in the moment or notice the beauty of the world around them. When I take photos, I try to tell a story. What can I show through my photographs? What can I draw the viewer to notice that they might not have otherwise? I hope to remind those who see my art of the beauty and magic of the world we live in. I might not be able to change the world, but if I can make the life or even the day of one person better, then I'm doing what I'm meant to do.

When thinking of important subjects in school, one’s mind often does not go to fine arts. However, fine arts classes are important. In addition to helping brain development, fine arts are essential to education because they encourage creativity, teach life lessons, and give students opportunities. During my time in high school, I took classes where I was expected to memorize information word for word and repeat it back on every quiz and test. Though it taught me those specific facts, it did not give me a deep understanding of the material or introduce me to different perspectives on the subject. However, in my fine arts classes, I was encouraged to consider a variety of perspectives. For example, my first assignment in photography class was to take photos that represented different words. Some students interpreted the words literally, while others had more unique interpretations. For me, the word “joy” prompted a photo of the piano in the library. However, for a classmate, “joy” was a photo of their dogs. Additionally, in photography class, I didn’t always have specific instructions to follow. It was up to me, the artist, to decide what to do and how to do it. These are just a few examples of how the arts teach critical thinking and problem solving, in addition to promoting creativity. These skills can be applied to any class, not only arts classes. My experiences in music taught me a variety of life lessons and skills that have been extremely valuable. Learning music can be difficult. Because of band, I learned to persevere, to be patient, and to fail. Failure is hard. But learning how to fail and how to continue after failing is perhaps the most important thing I learned during high school. I hold myself to a very high standard when it comes to music, and often struggle with perfectionism and feelings of my music not being good enough. My failures have taught me that mistakes are sometimes more valuable than successes and that my worth does not depend on my musical abilities. However, these lessons apply to far more than just music. Every student would benefit from these life lessons. Additionally, fine arts teach teamwork and leadership. In theater, for example, the show would not be successful without everyone working together. Or in band, success isn’t possible without everyone collaborating. I was able to be in leadership positions through band, giving me experience teaching and leading a section. Through this experience, I became a better teacher, leader, and person. This is quite valuable to me since I want to become a music educator and band director. With this scholarship, I would be able to help my parents pay for my music education degrees. This is very important to me because I am intending to participate in an accelerated master’s program and earn a bachelor’s in music education as well as a Master of Arts in Teaching. With these degrees, I will be able to teach music and direct bands. In addition to the teaching itself, I will be able to create a positive environment for my students and help them achieve their dreams. I hope to promote the fine arts in schools so every student has the opportunity to participate. Many students wouldn’t be able to study fine arts if it weren't for school fine arts programs. Lack of access, cost, and lack of experience with the arts are all significant barriers to students being unable to participate in the arts outside of school. This scholarship would assist me in pursuing my education so I may assist others with theirs.

I am eleven years old. I hold a silver flute, the metal cool against my hands and lips. I take a breath, then exhale, drawing my first sound from the instrument. It’s a hollow, shapeless sound, yet to me it is a victory. I quickly learn the fingerings for each note, each new sound unlocking a door to making music. Learning the flute teaches me the joy of learning for the sake of learning, to satisfy one’s own thirst for knowledge. I do not know it yet, but this drive to learn my instrument will become important soon. I chose to learn how to play the flute because my mother played it. As I become older, however, this path I am on becomes distinctly my own. I am thirteen years old. I sit in my band director’s office, unsure of why I am there. Mrs. Lawson is a favorite teacher of mine, inspiring me with her character and teaching. She is kind, always positive, and truly enjoys her job. Perhaps, I think, I could become a teacher like her someday. Someone who does some good in the world. She gives me a choice- I can learn oboe or continue playing flute. I don’t know what an oboe is, but I accept her offer without hesitation anyway. Without this moment, this opportunity, I wouldn’t be who I am today. I am sixteen years old. I’m beginning my second year of high school band. The culture of this band is different. It feels like a community, something to belong to. I’m the only oboist at Lafayette, and I’m unused to the pressure that comes with the role. This year I learn to persevere. I learn to trust myself and my abilities. It’s hard, but the idea of giving up is harder. I am eighteen years old. I am the captain of the front ensemble of the Lafayette marching band. Working with my section is the best part of my day. I get to teach my section, but they teach me too. They teach me to let go of perfectionism, to celebrate all progress. Because of them, I learn how to be a better teacher and a better person. I learn how to use skills such as empathy and determination to help our section and each member of it succeed. One day, I will be twenty-two years old. I will be graduating from college. I will be able to use the scholarship money I’ve earned to pay for a fifth year of school so I can earn my Master of Arts in teaching degree. It will be more work and more money, but it will be worth it. One day, I will be twenty-five years old. I will have a job as a band director. I will create a culture of respect and kindness in my band, so everyone feels included. I will be able to use my strengths, such as empathy and passion, to help the band succeed. I will do my best to help my students reach their goals, whatever those may be, and to give them opportunities to be successful. Being a band director and a music teacher may not seem like an important job. But for some kids, kids like me, music is everything. School bands give students opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have. Many students wouldn’t be able to study music without school bands, orchestras, and choirs. Band gives students a sense of community. It’s a space for students to be themselves. I hope to have a positive impact on my students, the way my directors did on me.

Music has been an important part of my life for as long as I can remember. However, my passion for music truly took off when I reached high school. Through high school music, I have been able to participate in marching band, concert band, jazz band, even symphony and pit orchestras. Because of my involvement in music at Lafayette, I have become a better musician and person. Music has taught me various life lessons and skills. Learning music requires dedication, patience, and attention to detail. It requires self-awareness and adaptability. I often taught myself, since oboe teachers aren’t particularly common. Having these skills allowed me to get as far as I have, and now that I have a teacher, I’m able to learn even more. Being in ensembles teaches you time management and accountability. There are times when I had scheduling conflicts, lots of homework, or family responsibilities. Without time management, it would be impossible for me to accomplish everything. Luckily, I’ve learned how to stay organized. Performing music requires confidence and the ability to handle pressure. Being the only oboist at Lafayette, I faced pressure from my director, my bandmates, and even myself. There were times when I felt like nothing I played was good enough. However, I’ve learned to block out that pressure or use it as a tool instead of letting it overwhelm me. I’ve learned to trust my abilities and knowledge. I do the best I can, and I accept whatever happens. None of these skills have been easy to learn, but they are important. In addition to teaching me life lessons, music has given me valuable opportunities. I have been able to have leadership positions and gain teaching experience through band. This fall, I was the captain of the front ensemble of the Lafayette Marching Rams. Being captain was the highlight of my marching band career. I was responsible for leading sectionals, teaching music, sending out scheduling information, and a variety of other things relating to helping my section be the best it could be. While it was a lot of responsibility, it gave me the opportunity to use my skills and help others. My freshmen taught me as much, if not more, than I taught them. Without them, I would not be the leader or person I am today. Working with them taught me how to work with various personalities and skill levels. I was able to use my empathy and patience to ensure everyone felt supported and included. I learned to adapt to their needs and to be proud of all progress instead of getting caught up in perfectionism. The relationships I’ve made through music have also had an impact on me. When I began high school, I didn’t have many true friends. That changed because of marching band. Being in an ensemble with someone is a bonding experience. I’ve met many of my favorite people through music, and I am confident that these friendships will continue even after we graduate. Some of these friends have become family to me, and I am incredibly grateful I chose to continue my involvement in music. In conclusion, music has had a tremendous impact on my life and high school experience. It has been the highlight of my time at Lafayette. Music has shaped me into the person I am today, and I am a better person for it.