I aspire to become a band director and educator in the music industry, guiding young musicians as they develop both their technical skills and their passion for music. My goal is to lead a school band program where students feel supported, challenged, and inspired to grow not only as performers, but as confident individuals. I want to create an environment where music is accessible and meaningful to every student, regardless of their background or experience level. I chose music because it has always been one of the most powerful ways I express myself and connect with others. Music has a unique ability to communicate emotions that words alone cannot fully capture. From a young age, I found comfort, joy, and identity through playing and listening to music. Over time, that personal connection grew into a passion I want to share with others, especially students who may discover confidence and belonging through music the same way I did. My biggest role models in the music industry are educators and musicians who dedicate themselves to teaching and inspiring others. Band directors who build strong programs while prioritizing student growth inspire me most, along with artists and composers who push creative boundaries while staying authentic to their voice. These individuals remind me that music is not only about performance, but also about mentorship, discipline, and emotional expression. A specific example is Sarah Stacy. Sarah is an East Tennessee State University department of music graduate, whom I studied with during my time at ETSU. She was an amazing mentor, peer, teacher, and friend. Her mentorship, to this day, helps me when I need help with music. I can each out to her at any time and she will always help me. She has a passion for helping all musicians. I want to make an impact on the music industry by helping to shape the next generation of musicians. I hope to create programs that emphasize creativity, inclusion, and encouragement, where students feel safe to take risks and express themselves. I also want to advocate for the importance of arts education, especially in schools where music programs are often underfunded or overlooked. I believe music has the power to change lives, and I want to be part of making that opportunity available to more students. Ultimately, I want to be remembered as someone who made music meaningful for others. I hope people will remember me as a teacher who cared deeply about their students, believed in their potential, and helped them discover their own love for music.

College, to me, represents far more than the next step in my education. It is where I will develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to pursue my lifelong passion: becoming a band director and teaching music to children. It is where I will grow not only as a musician, but also as an educator who can inspire the next generation of performers. Music has always been a central part of my life. It is how I express myself, how I connect with others, and how I understand the world around me. Since I joined band in the 6th grade, it has been my favorite thing in the world. The band room was my safe space, the band kids were my family, and my director was my mentor. I want to become a band director who helps young students discover the same joy and confidence that music has given me. I want to create a classroom environment where students feel encouraged, supported, and excited to learn, no matter their skill level. College is the place where I am building the foundation for my future. Through my education, I hope to deepen my understanding of music theory, performance, and conducting, while also developing strong teaching skills. I want to learn how to guide young musicians patiently and effectively, breaking down complex ideas in ways that are accessible and engaging. I am especially excited about opportunities to gain hands-on experience working with ensembles, because I know that real growth comes from practice and collaboration. Just as importantly, I see college as a chance to grow as a leader. A band director is not only a teacher, but also a mentor who shapes confidence, discipline, and teamwork in their students. I want to learn how to motivate others, build strong relationships, and foster a sense of community within a music program. Beyond academics, I know college will continue to help me to grow as a person. I want to be challenged, to step outside my comfort zone, and to become someone who can handle responsibility with confidence and care. It is amazing to connect with other musicians and educators who share my passion, as I believe those relationships will help shape my future. Ultimately, I want my education to prepare me for a career where I can make a lasting impact. Becoming a band director is not just a job to me, it is my passion. I want to spend my life helping students find their voices through music and showing them that they are capable of more than they ever imagined.

Music has always been the way I understand people and the world around me. As a musician, I have learned that sound can carry emotion, history, and identity in ways words often cannot. My goal is to use my art not only as personal expression, but as a tool for connection, healing, and representation, especially for people whose voices are often overlooked. As I continue my studies in music and music education, I want to create spaces where students feel seen and valued through music. I have experienced firsthand how transformative it is when a student is given the chance to participate in something creative, regardless of their background or prior experience. I want to bring that same opportunity to others by working in music education and community music programs. In particular, I hope to support students in underfunded schools where arts programs are often the first to be cut. I believe that access to music should not depend on privilege, but should be a shared experience available to everyone. As a horn player with experience on mellophone and trumpet, I have participated in concert ensembles, marching groups, and solo performances. I have also explored arranging and adapting music to better fit different ensembles and skill levels, which has taught me how to make music more accessible without losing its artistic integrity. In addition, I continue to develop my skills in piano and voice, which helps me understand music from multiple perspectives. Ultimately, I want my impact as an artist to be measured not only by performance, but by the people who feel encouraged, represented, and empowered through what I create and teach. Music has the ability to build community across differences, and I hope to spend my life using it to do exactly that.

Growing up, I learned early that who you are is defined less by what you achieve and more by how you show up for others. The experiences that have shaped my life, like working from a young age, serving in leadership roles, and dedicating time to caring for others, have taught me resilience, empathy, and perseverance. Since I was 13 years old, I have worked at my family’s business, the Army Navy Store in Marion, Virginia. I am now 21 years old and still work every day I possibly can. What started as a way to help my family became one of the most formative experiences of my life. The person who motivates me most is my grandfather, my “Popaw,” who played a major role in raising me and taught me that strong work ethic is one of the most important keys to success in life. He comes from a poor family and spent much of his childhood struggling to make ends meet, beginning work at the age of 10. Despite having no formal education, he started his own business at 20 with only a passion for helping people and connecting with them. Nearly 40 years later, his business is still thriving. His dedication, perseverance, and pride in his work have shaped every part of my life. He taught me that quitting is never an option and that success comes from showing up every day and giving your best. Working in the store, I learned that customer service is about more than completing a transaction. It is about connecting with others. I have helped customers find what they need for important moments in their lives, from preparing for work to getting ready for outdoor adventures. I have spoken with people from all walks of life and always strive to ensure they leave with a smile. These small interactions taught me that even brief moments of kindness can leave a lasting impact. In addition to working at my family business, I have spent years caring for others as a nanny and camp counselor. These roles required patience, creativity, and responsibility. Whether calming a frustrated child, planning activities, or ensuring group safety, I learned to put others’ needs before my own. These experiences strengthened my ability to adapt, problem-solve, and lead with empathy. Outside of academics and work, my passion lies in music. As a music education major, I am committed to using music to bring people together and create belonging. Music has always been a place where I can express myself and connect with others, and I hope to offer that same experience to my future students. One of the most defining experiences in my life was serving as drum major of my high school marching band. In that role, I was responsible not only for musical leadership but for setting the tone of the entire group. I worked to build trust, encourage unity, and support my peers through challenges. I learned that leadership is not about power, but about lifting others up and helping everyone succeed. The story of Jennifer Kelley and the message behind “Kelley boys never quit” resonates deeply with me. That idea reflects the values I was raised on: perseverance, strength, and commitment to others. I strive to carry those values into everything I do. This scholarship would not only support my education, but also allow me to continue investing in others and making a meaningful difference in my community.

“Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness.” -Maya Angelou. Music is my safe space - it has been before I was even born. My passion for music extends beyond anything else. I was born into a family of musicians. My mother is a drummer, and my grandfather is a connoisseur of all string and percussion instruments. My earliest memories in life all revolve around music. I remember my grandmother and grandfather singing to me every night, holding a guitar in my hands for the first time, and playing on my first drum kit. You never stop learning about music. There are endless opportunities to grow your knowledge about the art. I want to spend the rest of my life sharing my passion for this art. The years of 2020 and 2021 were incredibly difficult for me. I was diagnosed with clinical depression and high functioning anxiety in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. I struggled in school, I struggled to find motivation, and I struggled to feel like myself. I realized music was my anchor in those two years. It has continued to ground me whenever I feel anxious or depressed or alone ever since. I almost always have headphones in. I can listen to almost any kind of music because it all soothes me. My favorites are rock and orchestral arrangements. They may be two complete opposites, yet they boost my serotonin like nothing else. “The music department is an alternate universe where pupils are often unrecognizable from who they are outside of it. The shy become confident. The agitated become calm. The lonely become included. The quiet become heard. And the lost become found. Music reveals the real child.”- Vaughan Fleischfresser. I have chosen music education as my major because I want to be able to share this passion I have with the next generation. I want to teach the kids like me: shy, reserved, and quiet. I want to see high schooler’s faces light up at the sound of hearing their marching band field show for the first time each year. I want to see the percussionists' faces when they’re assigned the slap stick part in Sleigh Ride for their Christmas concert. I want to show kids the joy and sense of accomplishment music can bring to someone. I want to show a young version of myself that comfort I found in music. The prompt for this essay asked to hear about how music has changed my life thus far. Music is my life. Music is my background and childhood. Music is my future. Music is what I want to study and learn about. Music is my passion. I have every intention of using my passion and talent as a way to spread my love for music and create a safe space for anyone and everyone in my future band room.

“Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness.” -Maya Angelou. Music is my safe space - it has been before I was even born. My passion for music extends beyond anything else. I was born into a family of musicians. My mother is a drummer, and my grandfather is a connoisseur of all string and percussion instruments. My earliest memories in life all revolve around music. I remember my grandmother and grandfather singing to me every night, holding a guitar in my hands for the first time, and playing on my first drum kit. You never stop learning about music. There are endless opportunities to grow your knowledge about the art. I want to spend the rest of my life sharing my passion for this art. The years of 2020 and 2021 were incredibly difficult for me. I was diagnosed with clinical depression and high functioning anxiety in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. I struggled in school, I struggled to find motivation, and I struggled to feel like myself. I realized music was my anchor in those two years. It has continued to ground me whenever I feel anxious or depressed or alone ever since. I almost always have headphones in. I can listen to almost any kind of music because it all soothes me. My favorites are rock and orchestral arrangements. They may be two complete opposites, yet they boost my serotonin like nothing else. “The music department is an alternate universe where pupils are often unrecognizable from who they are outside of it. The shy become confident. The agitated become calm. The lonely become included. The quiet become heard. And the lost become found. Music reveals the real child.”- Vaughan Fleischfresser. I have chosen music education as my major because I want to be able to share this passion I have with the next generation. I want to teach the kids like me: shy, reserved, and quiet. I want to see high schooler’s faces light up at the sound of hearing their marching band field show for the first time each year. I want to see the percussionists' faces when they’re assigned the slap stick part in Sleigh Ride for their Christmas concert. I want to show kids the joy and sense of accomplishment music can bring to someone. I want to show a young version of myself that comfort I found in music. The prompt for this essay asked to hear about my passion for music, and my plans for my future. Music is everything to me. Music is my background and childhood. Music is my future. Music is what I want to study and learn about. Music is my passion. I have every intention of using my passion and talent as a way to spread my love for music and create a safe space for anyone and everyone in my future band room.

After reading the story of Miss Paula Collie, I believe I am an ideal candidate for this scholarship because of my passion for teaching. My passion is what drives me to keep pursuing a career in teaching, despite my challenges. I have struggled through my first two years of college. I suffer from clinical depression and anxiety, ADHD, and autism. These diagnosis’s make it extremely difficult for me to get out of bed each day, let alone push through difficult college classes. I’ve not had the best experience. I am also a first generation college student. I was raised by my single mother, who has worked very hard to be able to put me through college. I have had bad semesters, and not the greatest grades in the world, but I’m working each day to get these up, and do better, so I can continue affording college. Even though this has been a struggle for me, because of my passion for teaching, I have not given up. I am determined to finish college and become a music educator. My passion for teaching and music is what drives me in life. I was inspired by several teachers throughout my education in public school, and they taught me exactly what I want to be as a teacher, as well as what I don’t want to be. Every teacher leaves some sort of impact on every student. I aspire for my impact to be positive to every student I teach. As a future music educator, I look forward to sharing my passion for music with the next generation, and to inspire the next great musicians and music educators. My passion for teaching and music comes from those teachers and musicians that came before me. I would not be here without the help of my music teachers. I believe our current education system does not set students up for success. Especially recently, with talk of the department of education being dismantled by the federal government. I believe that without the department of education, leaving standards and such up to the state will cause a large gap in the quality of education from state to state. More populated states like California and New York, will have higher results than states like Mississippi, Louisiana, and West Virginia, which are already the “least educated” states. This recent commotion does worry me. I worry that my degree that I’m working so hard for will become obsolete without the department of education. I have contemplated changing my major, and finding another career to pursue. But I always come back to teaching. I’ve spent years preparing for it, doing student leadership, taking college courses in high school, trying to prepare myself for the education field. I truly cannot see myself doing anything else. I cannot wait to become an educator, share my passion for music, and leave a positive impact on my students, the future great musicians of the world.