I recently moved my friend to tears as I performed an original musical composition. My journey to that point was tempestuous, but music was the eye of the storm for me. Music taught me self-discipline, adaptability, and solidified my passion to share art with others. Despite moving to three states, attending eight schools, and enduring my dad’s combat post traumatic stress disorder, I have been fortunate to earn a 4.0 GPA, be elected a National Honor Society Officer by my peers, and lead the regional youth orchestra as principal cellist. Dad was a Navy fighter pilot and Mom was a kindergarten teacher. I didn’t see Dad much because he was often gone, engaged in fighting overseas. I remember feeling overjoyed and proud when he came home, but he missed many birthdays. While Dad was away, Mom focused on giving me diverse experiences, ultimately sparking my passion for music. She introduced me to a Kindermusik program and, ironically, I failed miserably. I was anxious, froze up every lesson, and refused to sing. Mom didn’t give up. She brought me to the School of Rock where I learned guitar and piano - no singing involved! At eight, we moved to California and my family started to fall apart as Dad’s years of combat caught up with him. The Los Angeles music scene, however, served as a coping mechanism and foundation for growth. I studied guitar, piano, and music composition and fell in love with cello at my elementary school. In middle school, my maestro was like those you’d see in the movies. The rigor of his orchestras forced me to develop regular practice habits and time management skills. Despite the brewing storm between my parents, I was growing in self-discipline and adaptability. My growth couldn’t have come at a better time; by 2018 my parents were in a high conflict divorce. Dad was hospitalized for months of trauma treatment, and we relocated to a small town in South Carolina. I continued to cope through playing music and composing more than seventy-five pieces, ultimately applying to the SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, a residential high school. Although I've traveled to four countries, helped an Afghan refugee family of eight integrate into American life, and recently been at the helm in an overnight sailboat race, my life's best memories are from the Governor’s School making music with my friends. At the Governor’s School I independently managed rigorous music classes, a demanding schedule of AP classes, and dormitory life. I also learned how to perform under pressure through mindfulness techniques, intense preparation, and focus. Performing under pressure requires me to make myself vulnerable and take a risk such as singing in the school choir. I took another risk performing that original composition for solo piano, the performance which moved my friend to tears. I saw my music helped someone else cope too. Now, I feel a purpose to create art that connects and benefits others. Living in a diverse community of artistically talented individuals at the Governor’s School has increased my strong appreciation for the arts and my community, giving me a clearer perspective and purpose. Music is still the eye of the storm for me, but the storm has calmed significantly. I love high school, Dad is approaching year six of recovery, and I continue to find ways to help others. Throughout my life and musical journey, I have gained self-discipline, adaptability, and discovered a passion to share my art with others. Finding the right college for this is a daunting task, but I’m ready and excited for the challenges ahead.

Music has been the guiding force in my life, shaping my character and providing solace through turbulent times. As I reflect on my journey, it becomes evident that my academic and career goals are deeply intertwined with my passion for music, self-discipline, adaptability, and the unwavering support of my friends and family. My academic journey, marked by moving to three states and attending eight schools, has been a testament to my adaptability and resilience. Despite the challenges posed by my dad's combat post-traumatic stress disorder, I have managed to maintain a 4.0 GPA, showcasing my commitment to academic excellence. As a National Honor Society Officer and principal cellist leading the regional youth orchestra, I have honed leadership skills that will undoubtedly contribute to my success in college and beyond. Growing up with a Navy fighter pilot father and a dedicated kindergarten teacher mother instilled in me a love for diverse experiences. My mom's determination to nurture my musical potential, despite early setbacks in a Kindermusik program, led me to the School of Rock, where I discovered my affinity for guitar, piano, and eventually the cello. The support of my parents and exposure to the Los Angeles music scene during a challenging period in our family's life became the foundation for my growth and love for music. In the midst of my parents' high-conflict divorce and subsequent relocation to South Carolina, music served as my sanctuary. Composing over seventy-five pieces and applying to the SC Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities allowed me to channel my emotions into artistic expression. The supportive community at the Governor's School not only fueled my passion but also taught me essential life skills, including time management, independence, and the ability to perform under pressure. As I navigated rigorous music and AP classes at the Governor's School, I learned to balance academics, dormitory life, and extracurricular activities. Mindfulness techniques and intense preparation for performances helped me develop resilience and the ability to thrive under pressure. Taking risks, such as singing in the school choir and performing an original composition for solo piano, allowed me to make meaningful connections and understand the impact of my art on others. My academic and career goals are influenced by the transformative power of music and the unwavering support of my friends and family. I intend to pursue a major in Music Composition, combining my love for creating music with the technical skills I have acquired over the years. This major aligns with my passion for sharing art that connects and benefits others, as evidenced by the moving experience of performing a composition that brought my friend to tears. The path I envision involves continuing my education in a college with top-notch professors and rigorous music programs. I aspire to delve deeper into music composition, exploring innovative ways to create pieces that resonate with diverse audiences. My goal is not only personal fulfillment but also contributing to society by fostering emotional connections and providing solace through my compositions. In conclusion, my academic and career goals revolve around my passion for music, cultivated through a journey marked by resilience, adaptability, and the support of my friends and family. Pursuing a major in Music Composition, I aspire to contribute to society by creating art that connects, inspires, and benefits others. My journey, though tempestuous, has prepared me for the challenges ahead, and I am eager to embark on the next phase of my academic and artistic exploration.

Music has been the guiding force in my life, shaping my character and providing solace through turbulent times. As I reflect on my journey, it becomes evident that my academic and career goals are deeply intertwined with my passion for music, self-discipline, adaptability, and the unwavering support of my friends and family. My academic journey, marked by moving to three states and attending eight schools, has been a testament to my adaptability and resilience. Despite the challenges posed by my dad's combat post-traumatic stress disorder, I have managed to maintain a 4.0 GPA, showcasing my commitment to academic excellence. As a National Honor Society Officer and principal cellist leading the regional youth orchestra, I have honed leadership skills that will undoubtedly contribute to my success in college and beyond. Growing up with a Navy fighter pilot father and a dedicated kindergarten teacher mother instilled in me a love for diverse experiences. My mom's determination to nurture my musical potential, despite early setbacks in a Kindermusik program, led me to the School of Rock, where I discovered my affinity for guitar, piano, and eventually the cello. The support of my parents and exposure to the Los Angeles music scene during a challenging period in our family's life became the foundation for my growth and love for music. In the midst of my parents' high-conflict divorce and subsequent relocation to South Carolina, music served as my sanctuary. Composing over seventy-five pieces and applying to the SC Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities allowed me to channel my emotions into artistic expression. The supportive community at the Governor's School not only fueled my passion but also taught me essential life skills, including time management, independence, and the ability to perform under pressure. As I navigated rigorous music and AP classes at the Governor's School, I learned to balance academics, dormitory life, and extracurricular activities. Mindfulness techniques and intense preparation for performances helped me develop resilience and the ability to thrive under pressure. Taking risks, such as singing in the school choir and performing an original composition for solo piano, allowed me to make meaningful connections and understand the impact of my art on others. My academic and career goals are influenced by the transformative power of music and the unwavering support of my friends and family. I intend to pursue a major in Music Composition, combining my love for creating music with the technical skills I have acquired over the years. This major aligns with my passion for sharing art that connects and benefits others, as evidenced by the moving experience of performing a composition that brought my friend to tears. The path I envision involves continuing my education in a college with top-notch professors and rigorous music programs. I aspire to delve deeper into music composition, exploring innovative ways to create pieces that resonate with diverse audiences. My goal is not only personal fulfillment but also contributing to society by fostering emotional connections and providing solace through my compositions. In conclusion, my academic and career goals revolve around my passion for music, cultivated through a journey marked by resilience, adaptability, and the support of my friends and family. Pursuing a major in Music Composition, I aspire to contribute to society by creating art that connects, inspires, and benefits others. My journey, though tempestuous, has prepared me for the challenges ahead, and I am eager to embark on the next phase of my academic and artistic exploration.