I've always known that music would be my way to give back to my community, and, with your help, that dream can come true. I am Audrey Dupuis, a singer/songwriter at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. I vividly remember the days in my mom's house where she would play the piano and sing songs that, at the time, had no words to me, only emotion. Music has always done this to me, but hearing mournful melodies that sounded golden and rich come from someone so important to me, that was special. No matter what elementary troubles I had that day, coming home to sit on the piano bench with my mom and feeling understood through those beautiful notes could heal it all. It was these moments that taught me music was medicine. Throughout my young life, I watched my mom change; she got quieter, and the ever-present song ringing through the house went silent. It wasn't until she started losing weight and coming home late from the hospital that I realised what was happening. I bid farewell to the sweet song of birds, the buzz of cicadas, and the rhythm of tree branches against the windows. That wasn't music anymore, just noise trying to distract me from the harsh reality that my mom had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Every corner store speaker, stopped car, and family-run restaurant playing music, once my mother and I's shared refuge, just became a poignant reminder of what cancer had stolen from me. Before her diagnosis, my mother navigated the challenges of single parenthood following my parents' divorce, all while working full-time at the Michigan Department of Education. Despite the overwhelming odds stacked against her, she refused to surrender to despair while enduring aggressive surgical procedures and ongoing radiation therapy. Her unwavering commitment to her children, her career, and her well-being was nothing short of remarkable. She epitomised strength in the face of adversity, a true beacon of resilience. Three months post-treatment, just when the radio started to play again in our family car, another blow struck as she faced melanoma, igniting yet another round of surgeries. Just when I thought that music was lost to me forever, my mom and I began sitting on our back porch every evening. Suddenly, the steady breathing of the wind in leaves mixed with the soft pitter-patter of our family dog's paws on the grass almost sounded like a song. Through this shared tradition, music found its way into our lives in the most unexpected way. The percussive rain on concrete, the flowing chorus of crickets, the soul-filled singing of a mourning dove, the love shared between a mother and a daughter, reignited our inner song. My mom's strength and endearing stubborn nature were slowly renewed with these moments. Despite financial hardships, I received a lovingly wrapped rosewood guitar under the Christmas tree that year. My mom and I had a new guest at our nightly porch meetings. I practiced until I learned how to take the love inside of me and share it with the earth and its people. As I embark on my path today, my mom's love and support remain my guiding force, propelling me toward a future filled with purpose. Her unwavering courage and resilience have instilled within me a deep-seated determination to overcome life's challenges with grace and fortitude. I will carry forward her legacy of strength and perseverance, and use my music to heal others, as it continues to heal me. To be heard, understood, and to feel connection; that is music as medicine, and music is my purpose.

I've always known that music would be my way to give back to my community, and, with your help, that dream can come true. I am Audrey Dupuis, a singer/songwriter at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. I vividly remember the days in my mom's house where she would play the piano and sing songs that, at the time, had no words to me, only emotion. Music has always done this to me, but hearing mournful melodies that sounded golden and rich come from someone so important to me, that was special. No matter what elementary troubles I had that day, coming home to sit on the piano bench with my mom and feeling understood through those beautiful notes could heal it all. It was these moments that taught me music was medicine. Throughout my young life, I watched my mom change; she got quieter, and the ever-present song ringing through the house went silent. It wasn't until she started losing weight and coming home late from the hospital that I realised what was happening. I bid farewell to the sweet song of birds, the buzz of cicadas, and the rhythm of tree branches against the windows. That wasn't music anymore, just noise trying to distract me from the harsh reality that my mom had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Every corner store speaker, stopped car, and family-run restaurant playing music, once my mother and I's shared refuge, just became a poignant reminder of what cancer had stolen from me. Before her diagnosis, my mother navigated the challenges of single parenthood following my parents' divorce, all while working full-time at the Michigan Department of Education. Despite the overwhelming odds stacked against her, she refused to surrender to despair while enduring aggressive surgical procedures and ongoing radiation therapy. Her unwavering commitment to her children, her career, and her well-being was nothing short of remarkable. She epitomised strength in the face of adversity, a true beacon of resilience. Three months post-treatment, just when the radio started to play again in our family car, another blow struck as she faced melanoma, igniting yet another round of surgeries. Just when I thought that music was lost to me forever, my mom and I began sitting on our back porch every evening. Suddenly, the steady breathing of the wind in leaves mixed with the soft pitter-patter of our family dog's paws on the grass almost sounded like a song. Through this shared tradition, music found its way into our lives in the most unexpected way. The percussive rain on concrete, the flowing chorus of crickets, the soul-filled singing of a mourning dove, the love shared between a mother and a daughter, reignited our inner song. My mom's strength and endearing stubborn nature were slowly renewed with these moments. Despite financial hardships, I received a lovingly wrapped rosewood guitar under the Christmas tree that year. My mom and I had a new guest at our nightly porch meetings. I practiced until I learned how to take the love inside of me and share it with the earth and its people. As I embark on my path today, my mom's love and support remain my guiding force, propelling me toward a future filled with purpose. Her unwavering courage and resilience have instilled within me a deep-seated determination to overcome life's challenges with grace and fortitude. I will carry forward her legacy of strength and perseverance, and use my music to heal others, as it continues to heal me. To be heard, understood, and to feel connection; that is music as medicine, and music is my purpose.

I've always known that music would be my way to give back to my community, and, with your help, that dream can come true. I am Audrey Dupuis, a singer/songwriter at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. I vividly remember the days in my mom's house where she would play the piano and sing songs that, at the time, had no words to me, only emotion. Music has always done this to me, but hearing mournful melodies that sounded golden and rich come from someone so important to me, that was special. No matter what elementary troubles I had that day, coming home to sit on the piano bench with my mom and feeling understood through those beautiful notes could heal it all. It was these moments that taught me music was medicine. Throughout my young life, I watched my mom change; she got quieter, and the ever-present song ringing through the house went silent. It wasn't until she started losing weight and coming home late from the hospital that I realised what was happening. I bid farewell to the sweet song of birds, the buzz of cicadas, and the rhythm of tree branches against the windows. That wasn't music anymore, just noise trying to distract me from the harsh reality that my mom had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Every corner store speaker, stopped car, and family-run restaurant playing music, once my mother and I's shared refuge, just became a poignant reminder of what cancer had stolen from me. Before her diagnosis, my mother navigated the challenges of single parenthood following my parents' divorce, all while working full-time at the Michigan Department of Education. Despite the overwhelming odds stacked against her, she refused to surrender to despair while enduring aggressive surgical procedures and ongoing radiation therapy. Her unwavering commitment to her children, her career, and her well-being was nothing short of remarkable. She epitomised strength in the face of adversity, a true beacon of resilience. Three months post-treatment, just when the radio started to play again in our family car, another blow struck as she faced melanoma, igniting yet another round of surgeries. Just when I thought that music was lost to me forever, my mom and I began sitting on our back porch every evening. Suddenly, the steady breathing of the wind in leaves mixed with the soft pitter-patter of our family dog's tail on the grass almost sounded like a song. Through this shared tradition, music found its way into our lives in the most unexpected way. The percussive rain on concrete, the flowing chorus of crickets, the soul-filled singing of a mourning dove, the love shared between a mother and a daughter, reignited our inner song. My mom's strength and endearing stubborn nature were slowly renewed with these moments. Despite financial hardships, I received a lovingly wrapped rosewood guitar under the Christmas tree that year. My mom and I had a new guest at our nightly porch meetings. I practiced until I learned how to take the love inside of me and share it with the earth and its people. As I embark on my path today, my mom's love and support remain my guiding force, propelling me toward a future filled with purpose. Her unwavering courage and resilience have instilled within me a deep-seated determination to overcome life's challenges with grace and fortitude. I will carry forward her legacy of strength and perseverance, and use my music to heal others, as it continues to heal me. To be heard, understood, and to feel connection; that is music as medicine, and music is my purpose.

At just eleven years old, my world was rocked by the devastating news of my mother's diagnosis of breast cancer. Aged forty-two, she embarked on a grueling battle against this relentless disease, enduring aggressive surgical procedures and ongoing radiation therapy. Yet, her resilience never wavered. Three months post-treatment, another blow struck as she faced melanoma, igniting yet another round of surgeries. Amidst this whirlwind, I witnessed my mother, once a vibrant force of music and joy, lose her melody. No longer did her songs fill our home, and the silence left in their wake was deafening. Music, once our shared refuge, became a distant memory, a poignant reminder of what cancer had stolen. Before her diagnosis, my mother navigated the challenges of single parenthood following my parents' divorce, all while working full-time at the Michigan Department of Education. Despite all odds, my mom never gave up, her unwavering commitment to her children, her career, and her well-being was nothing short of remarkable. She epitomized strength in the face of adversity, a beacon of resilience that continues to guide me. Throughout her battle, my mother's unwavering dedication to her values resonated deeply within me. Despite the financial hardships we faced, she ensured I never missed a voice lesson and managed to scrape together enough money to buy my first guitar as my Christmas gift that year. Her ability to maintain grace amidst chaos taught me invaluable lessons in resilience and perseverance, shaping the core of my character. As her battle raged on, I faced a pivotal decision in my journey. Despite the emotional turmoil of leaving my mother's side, I pursued my passion for music, earning acceptance into the prestigious singer/songwriter program at Interlochen Arts Academy. This meant leaving home for my junior and senior years of high school, a decision fraught with uncertainty and guilt. Yet, my mother's unwavering encouragement provided the strength I needed to forge ahead, even in her absence. I was able to forge new collaborative relationships with my peers, co-writing songs, performing with incredible artists like Patrice Rushen and Claud. My mom was my blueprint, and I took all of the lessons I learned from her to strengthen my connections in my field. Her kindness, her determination, her selflessness, all of these things guided me through my musical journey. With each visit home, I witnessed her reclaiming her music, a testament to her indomitable spirit. She refused to miss a single one of my concerts or performances, making the three-hour drive to sit with her mask on in the audience. Her resilience became my inspiration, a reminder that adversity cannot extinguish the flame of passion and hope. My mother's journey with cancer has profoundly shaped my perspective, infusing my life with courage, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to my dreams. She has frequently served as my muse throughout my songwriting studies at Interlochen. Her spirit is in every lyric, melody, and harmony I write. As I embark on my path, her love and support remain my guiding force, propelling me toward a purposeful future. In conclusion, my mother's battle with cancer has transformed me in profound ways, shaping my values, priorities, aspirations, and friendships in my field. Her unwavering courage and resilience have instilled within me a deep-seated determination to overcome life's challenges with grace, and fortitude. As I carry forward her legacy of strength and perseverance, I will spread our shared philosophy of music as medicine and help people heal through music. People are meant to love, to share, to connect, and I want my music to do just that after I graduate.

At just eleven years old, my world was rocked by the devastating news of my mother's diagnosis of breast cancer. Aged forty-two, she embarked on a grueling battle against this relentless disease, enduring aggressive surgical procedures and ongoing radiation therapy. Yet, her resilience never wavered. Three months post-treatment, another blow struck as she faced melanoma, igniting yet another round of surgeries. Amidst this whirlwind, I witnessed my mother, once a vibrant force of music and joy, lose her melody. No longer did her songs fill our home, and the silence left in their wake was deafening. Music, once our shared refuge, became a distant memory, a poignant reminder of what cancer had stolen. Before her diagnosis, my mother navigated the challenges of single parenthood following my parents' divorce, all while working full-time at the Michigan Department of Education. Despite all odds, my mom never gave up, her unwavering commitment to her children, her career, and her well-being was nothing short of remarkable. She epitomized strength in the face of adversity, a beacon of resilience that continues to guide me. Throughout her battle, my mother's unwavering dedication to her values resonated deeply within me. Despite the financial hardships we faced, she ensured I never missed a voice lesson and managed to scrape together enough money to buy my first guitar as my Christmas gift that year. Her ability to maintain grace amidst chaos taught me invaluable lessons in resilience and perseverance, shaping the core of my character. As her battle raged on, I faced a pivotal decision in my journey. Despite the emotional turmoil of leaving my mother's side, I pursued my passion for music, earning acceptance into the prestigious singer/songwriter program at Interlochen Arts Academy. This meant leaving home for my junior and senior years of high school, a decision fraught with uncertainty and guilt. Yet, my mother's unwavering encouragement provided the strength I needed to forge ahead, even in her absence. I was able to forge new collaborative relationships with my peers, co-writing songs, performing with incredible artists like Patrice Rushen and Claud. My mom was my blueprint, and I took all of the lessons I learned from her to strengthen my connections in my field. Her kindness, her determination, her selflessness, all of these things guided me through my musical journey. With each visit home, I witnessed her reclaiming her music, a testament to her indomitable spirit. She refused to miss a single one of my concerts or performances, making the three-hour drive to sit with her mask on in the audience. Her resilience became my inspiration, a reminder that adversity cannot extinguish the flame of passion and hope. My mother's journey with cancer has profoundly shaped my perspective, infusing my life with courage, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to my dreams. She has frequently served as my muse throughout my songwriting studies at Interlochen. Her spirit is in every lyric, melody, and harmony I write. As I embark on my path, her love and support remain my guiding force, propelling me toward a purposeful future. In conclusion, my mother's battle with cancer has transformed me in profound ways, shaping my values, priorities, aspirations, and friendships in my field. Her unwavering courage and resilience have instilled within me a deep-seated determination to overcome life's challenges with grace, and fortitude. As I carry forward her legacy of strength and perseverance, I will spread our shared philosophy of music as medicine and help people heal through music. People are meant to love, to share, to connect, and I want my music to do just that after I graduate.

At just eleven years old, my world was rocked by the devastating news of my mother's diagnosis of breast cancer. Aged forty-two, she embarked on a grueling battle against this relentless disease, enduring aggressive surgical procedures and ongoing radiation therapy. Yet, her resilience never wavered. Amidst this whirlwind, I witnessed my mother, once a vibrant force of music and joy, lose her melody. No longer did her songs fill our home, and the silence left in their wake was deafening. Music, once our shared refuge, became a distant memory, a poignant reminder of what cancer had stolen. Despite all odds, my mom never gave up, her unwavering commitment to her children, her career, and her well-being was nothing short of remarkable. She epitomized strength in the face of adversity, a beacon of resilience that continues to guide me. Throughout her battle, my mother's unwavering dedication to her values resonated deeply within me. Despite the financial hardships we faced, she ensured I never missed a voice lesson and managed to scrape together enough money to buy my first guitar as my Christmas gift that year. As her battle raged on, I faced a pivotal decision in my journey. Despite the emotional turmoil of leaving my mother's side, I pursued my passion for music, earning acceptance into the prestigious singer/songwriter program at Interlochen Arts Academy. This meant leaving home for my junior and senior years of high school, a decision fraught with uncertainty and guilt. Yet, my mother's unwavering encouragement provided the strength I needed to forge ahead, even in her absence. I was able to forge new collaborative relationships with my peers, co-writing songs, performing with incredible artists like Patrice Rushen and Claud. With each visit home, I witnessed her reclaiming her music, a testament to her indomitable spirit. She refused to miss a single one of my concerts or performances, making the three-hour drive to sit with her mask on in the audience. Her resilience became my inspiration, a reminder that adversity cannot extinguish the flame of passion and hope. My mother's journey with cancer has profoundly shaped my perspective, infusing my life with courage, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to my dreams. She has frequently served as my muse throughout my songwriting studies at Interlochen. Her spirit is in every lyric, melody, and harmony I write. As I embark on my path, her love and support remain my guiding force, propelling me toward a purposeful future. In conclusion, my mother's battle with cancer has transformed me in profound ways, shaping my values, priorities, aspirations, and friendships in my field. Her unwavering courage and resilience have instilled within me a deep-seated determination to overcome life's challenges with grace, and fortitude. As I carry forward her legacy of strength and perseverance, I will spread our shared philosophy of music as medicine and help people heal through music. People are meant to love, to share, to connect, and I want my music to do just that after I graduate.

At just eleven years old, my world was rocked by the devastating news of my mother's diagnosis of breast cancer. Aged forty-two, she embarked on a grueling battle against this relentless disease, enduring aggressive surgical procedures and ongoing radiation therapy. Yet, her resilience never wavered. Three months post-treatment, another blow struck as she faced melanoma, igniting yet another round of surgeries. Amidst this whirlwind, I witnessed my mother, once a vibrant force of music and joy, lose her melody. No longer did her songs fill our home, and the silence left in their wake was deafening. Music, once our shared refuge, became a distant memory, a poignant reminder of what cancer had stolen. Before her diagnosis, my mother navigated the challenges of single parenthood following my parents' divorce, all while working full-time at the Michigan Department of Education. Despite all odds, my mom never gave up, her unwavering commitment to her children, her career, and her well-being was nothing short of remarkable. She epitomized strength in the face of adversity, a beacon of resilience that continues to guide me. Throughout her battle, my mother's unwavering dedication to her values resonated deeply within me. Despite the financial hardships we faced, she ensured I never missed a voice lesson and managed to scrape together enough money to buy my first guitar as my Christmas gift that year. Her ability to maintain grace amidst chaos taught me invaluable lessons in resilience and perseverance, shaping the core of my character. As her battle raged on, I faced a pivotal decision in my journey. Despite the emotional turmoil of leaving my mother's side, I pursued my passion for music, earning acceptance into the prestigious singer/songwriter program at Interlochen Arts Academy. This meant leaving home for my junior and senior years of high school, a decision fraught with uncertainty and guilt. Yet, my mother's unwavering encouragement provided the strength I needed to forge ahead, even in her absence. I was able to forge new collaborative relationships with my peers, co-writing songs, performing with incredible artists like Patrice Rushen and Claud. My mom was my blueprint, and I took all of the lessons I learned from her to strengthen my connections in my field. Her kindness, her determination, her selflessness, all of these things guided me through my musical journey. With each visit home, I witnessed her reclaiming her music, a testament to her indomitable spirit. She refused to miss a single one of my concerts or performances, making the three-hour drive to sit with her mask on in the audience. Her resilience became my inspiration, a reminder that adversity cannot extinguish the flame of passion and hope. My mother's journey with cancer has profoundly shaped my perspective, infusing my life with courage, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to my dreams. She has frequently served as my muse throughout my songwriting studies at Interlochen. Her spirit is in every lyric, melody, and harmony I write. As I embark on my path, her love and support remain my guiding force, propelling me toward a purposeful future. In conclusion, my mother's battle with cancer has transformed me in profound ways, shaping my values, priorities, aspirations, and friendships in my field. Her unwavering courage and resilience have instilled within me a deep-seated determination to overcome life's challenges with grace, and fortitude. As I carry forward her legacy of strength and perseverance, I will spread our shared philosophy of music as medicine and help people heal through music. People are meant to love, to share, to connect, and I want my music to do just that after I graduate.

At just eleven years old, my world was rocked by the devastating news of my mother's diagnosis of breast cancer. Aged forty-two, she embarked on a grueling battle against this relentless disease, enduring aggressive surgical procedures and ongoing radiation therapy. Yet, her resilience never wavered. Three months post-treatment, another blow struck as she faced melanoma, igniting yet another round of surgeries. Amidst this whirlwind, I witnessed my mother, once a vibrant force of music and joy, lose her melody. No longer did her songs fill our home, and the silence left in their wake was deafening. Music, once our shared refuge, became a distant memory, a poignant reminder of what cancer had stolen. Before her diagnosis, my mother navigated the challenges of single parenthood following my parents' divorce, all while working full-time at the Michigan Department of Education. Despite the overwhelming odds stacked against her, she refused to surrender to despair. Her unwavering commitment to her children, her career, and her well-being was nothing short of remarkable. She epitomized strength in the face of adversity, a beacon of resilience that continues to guide me. Throughout her battle, my mother's unwavering dedication to her values resonated deeply within me. Despite the financial hardships we faced, she ensured I never missed a voice lesson and managed to scrape together enough money to buy my first guitar as my Christmas gift that year. Her ability to maintain grace amidst chaos taught me invaluable lessons in resilience and perseverance, shaping the core of my character. As her battle raged on, I faced a pivotal decision in my journey. Despite the emotional turmoil of leaving my mother's side, I pursued my passion for music, earning acceptance into the prestigious singer/songwriter program at Interlochen Arts Academy. This meant leaving home for my junior and senior years of high school, a decision fraught with uncertainty and guilt. Yet, my mother's unwavering encouragement provided the strength I needed to forge ahead, even in her absence. I was able to forge new collaborative relationships with my peers, co-writing songs, performing with incredible artists like Patrice Rushen and Claud. My mom was my blueprint, and I took all of the lessons I learned from her to strengthen my connections in my field. Her kindness, her determination, her selflessness, all of these things guided me through my musical journey. With each visit home, I witnessed her reclaiming her music, a testament to her indomitable spirit. She refused to miss a single one of my concerts or performances, making the three-hour drive to sit with her mask on in the audience. Her resilience became my inspiration, a reminder that adversity cannot extinguish the flame of passion and hope. My mother's journey with cancer has profoundly shaped my perspective, infusing my life with courage, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to my dreams. She has frequently served as my muse throughout my songwriting studies at Interlochen. Her spirit is in every lyric, melody, and harmony I write. As I embark on my path, her love and support remain my guiding force, propelling me toward a purposeful future. In conclusion, my mother's battle with cancer has transformed me in profound ways, shaping my values, priorities, aspirations, and friendships in my field. Her unwavering courage and resilience have instilled within me a deep-seated determination to overcome life's challenges with grace, fortitude, and the support of my incredible family, both blood-related and chosen. As I carry forward her legacy of strength and perseverance, I am forever grateful for the profound impact she has had on shaping the person I am today.

At just eleven years old, my world was rocked by the devastating news of my mother's diagnosis of breast cancer. No longer did her songs fill our home, and the silence left in their wake was deafening. Music, once our shared refuge, became a distant memory, a poignant reminder of what cancer had stolen. Throughout her battle, my mother's unwavering dedication to her values resonated deeply within me. Despite the financial hardships we faced, she ensured I never missed a voice lesson and managed to scrape together enough money to buy my first guitar as my Christmas gift that year. Because of my moms love and support, community is a huge aspect of my life. While my mom was sick, so many of our family members and friends stepped in to drive me to my performances, volunteer at bake sales, and just be a shoulder to lean on when my mom was in the hospital. Her ability to maintain grace amidst chaos taught me invaluable lessons in resilience and perseverance, shaping the core of my character. As her battle raged on, I faced a pivotal decision in my journey. Despite the emotional turmoil of leaving my mother's side, I pursued my passion for music, earning acceptance into the prestigious singer/songwriter program at Interlochen Arts Academy. This meant leaving home for my junior and senior years of high school, a decision fraught with uncertainty and guilt. Yet, my mother's unwavering encouragement provided the strength I needed to forge ahead, even in her absence. I was able to take my moms many lessons and forge new collaborative relationships with my peers, co-writing songs, performing with incredible artists like Patrice Rushen and Claud. Despite the physical distance between me and my mom, her presence remained steadfast. So, when I left for school, the first thing I did was create a safe space in my dorm room where anybody could come if they're overwhelmed and we can either make music and take their mind off of things or sit in silence and feel our emotions for a while. Recently, I have had the opportunity to play on a multitude of stages (The Capitol Theatre, The Liverpool Philharmonic, The Traverse City Opera House, etc.) and reach out using my music to the audience. After one of my shows, a young girl, around middle school age, came up to me and said that she related to my song "Ugly Dress". Hearing that somebody that young could feel unworthy and unwanted was devastating and when she hugged me and told me that "nobody should feel ugly," it showed me how my music impacted people. I want to continue this journey, this mission to help people feel heard through my music. I wanted to pursue a music degree because growing my expertise in performance will help me reach out to more people, make more connections, and build a bigger community for people. As I carry forward the legacy of everybody that has touched my heart, teaching me of strength, perseverance, kindness, bravery, patience, and selflessness, I remember how lucky I am to be a musician and have that platform to help with. I will take everything I've learned, especially from my mom and my support system, and spread the importance of human connection and relationships through my music.

At just eleven years old, my world was rocked by the devastating news of my mother's diagnosis of breast cancer. Aged forty-two, she embarked on a gruelling battle against this relentless disease, enduring aggressive surgical procedures and ongoing radiation therapy. Yet, her resilience never wavered. Three months post-treatment, another blow struck as she faced melanoma, igniting yet another round of surgeries. Amidst this whirlwind, I witnessed my mother, once a vibrant force of music and joy, lose her melody. No longer did her songs fill our home, and the silence left in their wake was deafening. Music, once our shared refuge, became a distant memory, a poignant reminder of what cancer had stolen. Before her diagnosis, my mother navigated the challenges of single parenthood following my parents' divorce, all while working full-time at the Michigan Department of Education. Despite the overwhelming odds stacked against her, she refused to surrender to despair. Her unwavering commitment to her children, her career, and her well-being was nothing short of remarkable. She epitomized strength in the face of adversity, a beacon of resilience that continues to guide me. Throughout her battle, my mother's unwavering dedication to her values resonated deeply within me. Despite the financial hardships we faced, she ensured I never missed a voice lesson and managed to scrape together enough money to buy my first guitar as my Christmas gift that year. Her ability to maintain grace amidst chaos taught me invaluable lessons in resilience and perseverance, shaping the core of my character. As her battle raged on, I faced a pivotal decision in my journey. Despite the emotional turmoil of leaving my mother's side, I pursued my passion for music, earning acceptance into the prestigious singer/songwriter program at Interlochen Arts Academy. This meant leaving home for my junior and senior years of high school, a decision fraught with uncertainty and guilt. Yet, my mother's unwavering encouragement provided the strength I needed to forge ahead, even in her absence. I was able to take my moms many lessons and forge new collaborative relationships with my peers, co-writing songs, performing with incredible artists like Patrice Rushen and Claud. Despite the physical distance between me and my mom, her presence remained steadfast. She was my blueprint, and I took all of the lessons I learned from her to strengthen my connections in my field. Her kindness, her determination, her selflessness, all of these things guided me through my musical journey. With each visit home, I witnessed her reclaiming her music, a testament to her indomitable spirit. She refused to miss a single one of my concerts or performances, making the three-hour drive to sit with her mask on in the audience. Her resilience became my inspiration, a reminder that adversity cannot extinguish the flame of passion and hope. My mother's journey with cancer has profoundly shaped my perspective, infusing my life with courage, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to my dreams. Her strength in the face of adversity serves as a constant reminder that no obstacle is insurmountable. She has frequently served as my muse throughout my songwriting studies at Interlochen. Her spirit is in every lyric, melody, and harmony I write. As I embark on my path, her love and support remain my guiding force, propelling me toward a purposeful future. In conclusion, my mother's battle with cancer has transformed me in profound ways, shaping my values, priorities, aspirations, and friendships in my field. Her unwavering courage and resilience have instilled within me a deep-seated determination to overcome life's challenges with grace, fortitude, and the support of my incredible family, both blood-related and chosen. As I carry forward her legacy of strength and perseverance, I am forever grateful for the profound impact she has had on shaping the person I am today. My artist project is quite simple really, I want to spread love and make people feel heard with my music. I recently had a big moment with my music that pushed me to keep going. After I played one of my songs, “Ugly Dress” at Kresge Auditorium in our show with Grammy-winning artist Patrice Rushen, a young girl came up to me teary-eyed and said that she felt the same way that I did. She felt like she wouldn’t be enough no matter how she tried, but when I sang the heartfelt lyrics about feeling ugly and similar sentiments, she felt understood. She felt less alone and she said that if everybody felt that way, then at least we all have something in common. That stuck with me and I use it as motivation for every song and every performance I do now. Reaching people and helping them feel less alone is what I have to do for the rest of my life. Human connection is something that cannot be taken away or replicated. No matter how advanced AI gets, how cruel the world can be, people will always crave real relationships. I love the beauty that ebbs and flows between conversations between strangers, and I love being somebody that can write about it and share that with the world. This scholarship would provide me with the funding that I need to achieve my dreams and fortify my lifelong mission of helping people connect and feel through music.

At just eleven years old, my world was rocked by the devastating news of my mother's diagnosis of breast cancer. Aged forty-two, she embarked on a grueling battle against this relentless disease, enduring aggressive surgical procedures and ongoing radiation therapy. Yet, her resilience never wavered. Three months post-treatment, another blow struck as she faced melanoma, igniting yet another round of surgeries. Amidst this whirlwind, I witnessed my mother, once a vibrant force of music and joy, lose her melody. No longer did her songs fill our home, and the silence left in their wake was deafening. Music, once our shared refuge, became a distant memory, a poignant reminder of what cancer had stolen. Before her diagnosis, my mother navigated the challenges of single parenthood following my parents' divorce, all while working full-time at the Michigan Department of Education. Despite the financial hardships we faced, she ensured I never missed a voice lesson and managed to scrape together enough money to buy my first guitar as my Christmas gift that year. Throughout her battle, my mother's unwavering dedication to her values resonated deeply within me. Her ability to maintain grace amidst chaos taught me invaluable lessons in resilience and perseverance, shaping the core of my character. As her battle raged on, I faced a pivotal decision in my journey. Despite the emotional turmoil of leaving my mother's side, I pursued my passion for music, earning acceptance into the prestigious singer/songwriter program at Interlochen Arts Academy. This meant leaving home for my junior and senior years of high school, a decision fraught with uncertainty and guilt. Yet, my mother's unwavering encouragement provided the strength I needed to forge ahead, even in her absence. I was able to forge new collaborative relationships with my peers, co-writing songs, performing with incredible artists like Patrice Rushen and Claud. Despite the physical distance between me and my mom, her presence remained steadfast. She was my blueprint, and I took all of the lessons I learned from her to strengthen my connections in my field. Her kindness, her determination, her selflessness, all of these things guided me through my musical journey. With each visit home, I witnessed her reclaiming her music, a testament to her indomitable spirit. She refused to miss a single one of my concerts or performances, making the three-hour drive to sit with her mask on in the audience. Her resilience became my inspiration, a reminder that adversity cannot extinguish the flame of passion and hope. My mother's journey with cancer has profoundly shaped my perspective, infusing my life with courage, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to my dreams. Her strength in the face of adversity serves as a constant reminder that no obstacle is insurmountable. She has frequently served as my muse throughout my songwriting studies at Interlochen. Her spirit is in every lyric, melody, and harmony I write. As I embark on my path, her love and support remain my guiding force, propelling me toward a purposeful future. In conclusion, my mother's battle with cancer has transformed me in profound ways, shaping my values, priorities, aspirations, and friendships in my field. Her unwavering courage and resilience have instilled within me a deep-seated determination to overcome life's challenges with grace, fortitude, and the support of my incredible family, both blood-related and chosen. As I carry forward her legacy of strength and perseverance, I am forever grateful for the profound impact she has had on shaping the person I am today. I will take these lessons with me and share her love with every person I come across on my musical journey.

I've always known that music would be my way to give back to my community, and now that dream is coming true. I am Audrey Dupuis, a singer/songwriter at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. Even before I went into songwriting, I was always a little musician. Whether that was playing made-up songs for my family to make them smile, or playing a munchkin in The Wizard of Oz. My dream has always been to become a musician and artist who can bring people together and make them feel seen and heard. Chappell Roan comes into play early. We went to the same school Summer Camp (Interlochen Arts Camp) and although we attended at different times, her reputation carried over to my year. When I saw that she was blowing up online, I was so excited for her and to see that someone like me, a young girl from the Midwest with big ambitions, could succeed. Community is a huge aspect of my life so, at school, I have created a safe space in my dorm room where any of my friends can come if they're overwhelmed and we can just create music together, or sit in silence and feel our emotions for a while. I think it is extremely important that people feel safe and understood when listening to music, so I tried to provide that when they needed it. Chappell Roan does exactly this through her writing. She creates a space where people of all ages and sexualities can come together and enjoy music for a few minutes at a time. She is such an inspiration to me. In fact, Chappell inspired me to begin performing live and recently, I have had the opportunity to play on a multitude of stages (The Capitol Theatre, The Liverpool Philharmonic, Kresge Auditorium, The Traverse City Opera House, Corson Auditorium, etc.) and reach out using my music to the audience. After every show I've had people approach me and say that my songs touched them, or that they related to them in some way. For example, my song "Golden Child" is about unrealistic expectations placed on an "advanced" child and how that affects them for the rest of their lives, after that show I had women of all ages coming up to me teary-eyed and expressing how my song made them feel less alone in their struggle with perfectionism. It's moments like that that keep me going. A young girl, around middle school age, came up to me after I sang my song "Ugly Dress" and said that she related to the song. Hearing that a child that young could feel ugly was devastating and when she hugged me and told me that "nobody should feel ugly," it showed me how my music impacted people. I want to continue this journey, this mission to help people through my music. I want to pursue a performance degree because growing my expertise in performance will help me reach out to more people, make more connections, and build a bigger community of supported people the same way that Chappell does. I hope that my music can bring people together all over the world and continue to help people feel less alone through my words.

I have always known that music is how I will help people. When I was younger, my mom would bring me to Barnes and Noble and I would sing and dance on the children's stage, attracting a crowd of curious parents whom I was more than happy to entertain. All this being said, helping people through music is something that was inspired by my siblings. I have been writing music since the Covid-19 pandemic as a way to express my feelings and connect with others. I have found that my music has allowed me to connect with people in a way that I had never experienced before. I will touch on this in more detail later, but this connection, making people feel understood, is what keeps me on my path. I partake in many extracurricular activities, I am part of the Songwriters Tour Group which traveled to LA and played at Hotel Cafe and Tiny Room Studios. I am part of a Sketch Comedy group, I organize gigs for the songwriters at Interlochen, I volunteer as a contemporary music assistant, and I volunteer as an instructor/music director at Broadway Bounds summer theater camp every year to teach the next generation of creatives. I also attended GRAMMYCamplast summer, run by the Grammy Foundation, where we learned all about the business and how to co-write, run a band, and negotiate fair deals. These experiences have brought me the opportunity to connect with so many wonderful people and hear their stories. As an artist, work is interesting but very fulfilling. One of the best parts of my job as an artist is being able to talk to so many different people about their lives. I love being able to connect on such a personal level with people through my music. I often work gigs that I book myself, such as performing at bars and restaurants for a fair of about $150 each. I also volunteer at many different places, including MSVMA (for choir festivals), Interlochen Arts Academy (Managing gigs for singer-songwriters, organizing community events for contemporary musicians, and running peer-to-peer songwriting sessions), and my dad's bar (for larger events with music), as well as volunteering during the summer at Imlay City High School teaching acting, singing, dance, and songwriting to the next generation of artists in the local area. As I mentioned before, helping people feel seen and heard through my music is my calling, I know it. After I played one of my songs “Ugly Dress” at Kresge Auditorium in our show with Grammy Winning Artist Patrice Rushen, a young girl came up to me teary-eyed and said that she felt the same way. She felt like she wouldn’t be enough no matter how she tried, but when I sang the heartfelt lyrics about feeling ugly and similar sentiments, she could feel heard. She felt less alone and she said that if everybody felt ugly and insufficient then at least we all have something in common. That stuck with me and I use it as motivation for every song and every performance I do now. Reaching people and helping them process, helping them feel less alone is what I have to do for the rest of my life. This scholarship would provide me with the funding that I need to achieve my dreams and continue my mission of helping people heal through music.