I am passionate about music because it brings me so much peace and joy. I feel like I can comfort someone or make them feel joy through my music. Music is also one of the major ways that I express myself mentally and emotionally. The music world has been such a blessing to me. Not only has it kept me engaged and captivated by it's beauty, but it's helped me to be a light to others who need it. I've had a passion for music since I was very young. I remember sitting in church every Sunday morning when I was about 5 years old, watching and mimicking the drummer from my seat. I also remember listening to music every chance I had, sometimes playing along to it with my tambourine or other small instruments, which I sometimes still do today. My parents noticed my musical interests at that time, and enrolled me in piano lessons for a few months. Two years later they enrolled me in drum lessons at the age of 7, and that's where my musical journey really began to flourish. I continued lessons for about 2 years, and even after that I kept practicing hard at home and continued to grow and get better over the years through experience. About 3 years ago began another important part of my musical journey. It was during the COVID-19 pandemic, and I was very bored and wanted to find a new activity to do. I fell in love with the piano once again, and found that I became better at it quickly because I was so immersed in it. My parents signed me up for private piano lessons, and I even started playing piano for my church after COVID was over and became the minister of music, where I still serve today. I've also served as a choir director, music director, singer, and band member (both piano and drums) for multiple other conferences, recitals, concerts, and churches as far as the entire Northeast Corridor of the United States and Bermuda. Giving back to the youth through my music education career is one of my top goals and priorities. I am currently pursuing to go to college to get my Bachelor's in Music Education with my primary instrument being drums/percussion and secondary instrument being piano. My goal is not only to be a great musician, but also an exceptional music educator. I hope to teach either in a K-12 school, or give lessons at a music school. I am currently the substitute drum teacher at Gibson's School of Music and Arts in Philadelphia (where I also take piano lessons), and I've taught so many young people of different ages and ethnicities. They remind me of myself when I was on their skill level, and it gives me so much joy to see them learn new things and grasp onto concepts like I did. I see them as our near future. Music is the only outlet for some of them to express themselves, and as an African American male who wasn't too good at other activities, I empathize with them deeply. I want to help them reach their highest potential not only as musicians but as people. That's why I'm committed to learning all I can about being a music educator so that I can apply it to help them succeed. I believe that this scholarship will help me do just that.

Throughout my life, I've tried many different activities and hobbies. I've been a Boy Scout, martial arts karate student, and basketball player, among other things. Some of these activities I've failed at miserably, or they just didn't work out for me. Other activities I've done well in and I still participate in them today; even though I'm very grateful for them, I still didn't feel like they gave me true fulfillment. The only activity that made me feel truly happy, successful, and fulfilled was music. I've had a passion for music since I was very young. My dad taught me how to play the bongos at 3 years old. I remember sitting in the pews at church every Sunday morning when I was about 5 years old, watching and mimicking the drummer from my seat. I also remember listening to music every chance I had, sometimes playing along to it with my tambourine or other small instruments, which I sometimes still do today. My parents noticed my musical interests at that time, and enrolled me in piano lessons for a few months. Two years later they enrolled me in drum lessons at the age of 7, and that's where my musical journey really began to flourish. I continued lessons for about 2 years, and even after that I kept practicing at home and continued to grow and get better over the years. I still play today, and am currently preparing for my college audition on drums. About 3 years ago began another important part of my musical journey. It was during the COVID-19 pandemic, and I was very bored and wanted to find a new activity to do. I fell in love with the piano once again, and found that I became better at it quickly because I was so immersed in it. My parents signed me up for private piano lessons, and I even started playing piano for my church after COVID was over and became the head of the music department there. Even today, I find myself losing track of time when I'm practicing, playing, or listening to music because they bring me so much peace and joy. I feel like I can comfort someone or make them feel joy through my music, especially since I can now teach others how to play music. Music also helps me to explore the world around me, for example when I land gigs where I can travel to meet new people and see new places. It really captivates me because music is one of the major ways that I express myself mentally and emotionally. I'm currently learning how to express myself even more through this art. I'm so grateful for the people and tools that continue to help me to reach my full potential, not only as a musician but as a person. I am currently the minister of music at my local church. I've also served as a choir director, music director, singer, and band member for multiple other conferences, recitals, concerts, and churches as far as the entire Northeast Corridor of the United States and Bermuda. In the future, I hope to become a music teacher to give back to my community, and also play on even bigger stages than I already have. Hopefully one day I can become a world-class musician that helps to inspire other people to do the same. Here are two videos of me playing, one piano and one drums: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cu0oyFTAgft/ https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6jystDRe0j/