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austin keys

2x

Finalist

1x

Winner

General information

Location
Coraopolis, PA
Age
21
Gender
Male
US Citizenship
US Citizen
Ethnicity
Black/African

Hobbies & Interests

  • Taekwondo
  • Music Composition
  • Music Production
  • Music Theory
  • Photography and Photo Editing
  • Acting And Theater
  • Singing
  • Clarinet
  • Band
  • Choir

Reading

  • Mystery
  • Adult Fiction
  • Art
  • Adventure
  • Academic
  • Contemporary
  • Social Science
  • Philosophy
  • Law
  • Music
  • Plays

I read books multiple times a month.

Bio

mahs '24 | utampa '28 - taekwondo student/certified level 3 instructor (fourth degree black belt) - musician/composer/actor - synesthete

Education

The University of Tampa

Bachelor's degree program

2024 – 2028

Majors:
  • Law
  • Music
GPA4.0 GPA

Moon Area High School

High School

2020 – 2024

GPA4.0 GPA

Miscellaneous

Desired degree level:
Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)
Graduate schools of interest:
Yale University, University of Pennsylvania, The University of Texas at Austin
Majors of interest:
Music, Law

Career

  • Music Department Audition Ambassador

    Arts · The University of Tampa

    Jan 2024 – Present

  • Taekwondo Instructor

    Health, Wellness, and Fitness · American Taekwondo Association

    Jan 2018 – Present

Miscellaneous

Dream career field:
Music
Dream career goals:
To become a music educator or an entertainment lawyer.
Has nursing license:
No

Future Interests

  • Advocacy
  • Volunteering
  • Philanthropy
  • Entrepreneurship
Pamela Branchini Memorial Scholarship
For me, collaboration is the absolute backbone of both Musical Theatre and Pre-Law. Although these fields may seem different on the surface level, they share one common principle: meaningful work is never accomplished alone. Whether it be that I am preparing for a performance on stage or pursuing a future career in law, collaboration means bringing together people with differing talents, perspectives, and experiences to create something greater than any individual could achieve independently. It requires trust, communication, accountability, and a shared commitment to a common goal. One meaningful collaborative experience I will never forget was creating and running the Our Future Showcase, a performance event designed to provide young artists at the high school level with an opportunity to share their phenomenal talents. Despite popular belief, organizing a showcase is far more than simply scheduling a performance. I worked closely with not only the performers, but also technicians to get the sound and lights working at our outdoor amphitheatre, volunteers to help run the food drive alongside this event, and other community members in the park to coordinate rehearsals, logistics, and to ensure that a welcoming environment where all were valued and supported was upheld. Through this experience, I learned that leadership is deeply connected to collaboration. The success of the showcase could not have been possible without the collective problem-solving of the various participants involved. Getting to see my performers support one another and celebrate each other's achievements brought me the utmost joy I could have felt. It also reinforced my belief that collaboration is most effective when people unite under a shared purpose. Another experience that profoundly shaped my understanding of collaboration was getting to perform with Andrea Bocelli as a member of the background choir at the Tampa, FL, show at the Amalie Arena. Standing on stage alongside one of the world's most celebrated vocalists was an incredible honor, but what struck me most was the collective effort behind the performance. Every singer had their own role contributing to the ensemble sound. The experience demonstrated how excellence can be achieved through discipline, trust, and attention to the needs of the group rather than personal recognition. It taught me that collaboration often requires setting aside individual ambitions in service of a larger artistic vision. Similarly, my participation in the InterHarmony International Music Festival in Acqui Terme, Italy, expanded my appreciation for collaboration across cultures. Working with musicians and performers from different countries exposed me to a wide variety of artistic perspectives and approaches to performing that were once foreign to me. Despite language barriers and different backgrounds, we were able to communicate through music and create meaningful artistic experiences together. This opportunity showed me that collaboration can bridge differences and foster understanding amongst people who may otherwise have little in common. I would also say it strengthened my adaptability and openness to new ideas, qualities that I believe are essential in both the performing arts and the legal profession. As a Musical Theatre and Pre-Law student, I see collaboration as a lifelong skill that will continue to shape the trajectory of my future endeavors. In theatre, successful productions are dependent on the actors, directors, musicians, designers, and technicians working towards a common vision. Likewise, in law, attorneys collaborate with clients, colleagues, judges, and communities to solve complex situations and advocate for justice. Everything I have learned thus far has inspired me and continues to do so as I pursue my own unique path in both the arts and law.
Richard Turner Jr. Musical Gifts Scholarship
austin keys Student Profile | Bold.org