The music industry is at a crossroads. On one hand, digital platforms and artificial intelligence are reshaping how music is created and consumed. On the other, there has never been a greater need to amplify authentic, human voices that share real stories, cultures, and emotions. While AI can mimic style, it cannot replicate lived experience. It cannot capture the grief of a loss, the joy of community, or the pride of hearing your culture represented on stage. That is where I believe my role as a composer lies: uplifting voices, especially those of women and underrepresented communities, to ensure that the future of music is centered on humanity. When I first sang music written by women composers in choir, it was transformative. For the first time, I saw myself reflected in the art we performed. That moment taught me how vital representation is, and it lit a fire in me to become the kind of composer who helps others feel seen and heard. I want to create music that highlights diverse perspectives, but I also want to open doors for others who are trying to find their place in the industry. I envision my impact taking shape in several ways. First, I plan to mentor young female composers and minority students through workshops and clinics, giving them practical tools to write, arrange, and share their own work. Too often, students don’t pursue composition because they have never seen someone like them in that role. By being visible and supportive, I want to help them realize their voices are not only valid but needed. Second, I hope to collaborate with schools and community programs to commission and perform works by emerging composers from underrepresented backgrounds. Hearing your music performed for the first time is life-changing, and I want to make that experience accessible. Third, I aim to use my own career as an example by publishing, collaborating, and performing music that celebrates stories and identities that might otherwise be overlooked. At the same time, I want to model what it means to prioritize authenticity over convenience. While technology has its place, the heartbeat of music must remain rooted in the human soul. Each piece I write is drawn from my own experiences: childhood memories of singing with my grandmother, the catharsis of composing through grief, the joy of traveling abroad and connecting with choirs from across the world. These are not sounds that can be manufactured. They are reminders that music is about connection, not just consumption. I intend to create art that re-emphasizes and uplifts the deep humanity of true music. The music industry needs leaders who will not only create but also empower. I see myself as one of those leaders. My goal is to help cultivate a generation of composers who are unafraid to share their truth, no matter their background, and who will carry forward a tradition of authenticity in the face of growing reliance on AI. By mentoring, teaching, and creating, I will do my part to ensure the future of music is diverse, vibrant, and above all, human. The artists I chose to upload are of Kerri McClellan, singer of the band Alvvays, Alanis Morisette, and composer Kerry Andrew

Music has been the cornerstone of my identity for as long as I can remember. Some of my earliest memories are filled with song: singing “Danny Boy” with my grandmother, hearing my dad play Ravel on the piano at night, or making up melodies while wandering around the backyard. From the beginning, music was never just a hobby. It became my language, the way I processed emotions and connected with the world. As I grew older, I faced pressure to pursue a “real” career path. I was told there was no money in music, and I nearly allowed myself to be swayed into engineering. But when my youngest sister nearly died from diabetic ketoacidosis, I realized how short life truly is. I would not get another chance to pursue what gives me life. That moment gave me the courage to follow music wholeheartedly. Today, I am a composition major, balancing coursework, leadership in student organizations, and participation in the international award-winning KU Chamber Choir. One of the most transformative moments in my musical journey came when I performed works by women composers in choir. For years, nearly all of the music we studied was written by men. Encountering the work of living female composers felt like a door opening. Their music was proof that women’s voices in composition are not only valid but vital. I felt represented in a way I never had before, and I understood how powerful it is for young musicians to see themselves reflected in the art they study. That realization inspired me to dedicate part of my career to helping young people, especially young women and underrepresented students, find their own voices in music. I plan to impact the youth in concrete ways. I want to lead composition workshops and masterclasses that introduce students, particularly girls and minority students, to the tools and confidence they need to start writing their own music. I hope to collaborate with schools and community programs to bring music education to underrepresented communities that often lack resources. I also envision creating ensembles that perform works written by young composers, giving students the unique opportunity to hear their ideas come alive. Through mentorship, I want to show students that their perspectives matter, and that their music is worth sharing with the world. Finally, I hope to use my own career as a composer to amplify underrepresented voices, modeling for the next generation that diversity in music enriches everyone. Music has sustained me through grief, brought me joy, and connected me to people across the globe. It is my heartbeat. More importantly, it is a gift I want to share. By dedicating my career not only to composition but also to mentorship, outreach, and education, I hope to help young people—especially young women and students from underrepresented communities: discover the same transformative power of music that has shaped my life.

The most impactful thing I have learned from reading is to persevere. I have always been an avid reader in many genres of fiction, and one thing is always consistent: there is no story without a struggle. If characters didn't experience conflict, growth and change, it would hardly be a story. We want to read about characters encountering hardship, grief, and triumph because it reminds us that we are not alone. It changes us to know the deepest feelings, seemingly isolated in our hearts, have been felt by others. Through the vast expanse of literature, the universal human experience of struggle is so thoroughly explored, captured in millions of ways, that any person can see part of themselves in a story. Anybody can find inspiration and hope. My desire to persevere is inspired by books that have shown me that no matter how hard it gets, life will go on. We can still love, laugh, and fight on. The stories of Charles Dickens remind me there is still joy even in poverty. Those of Andy Weir, to never give up when the odds seem impossible. Lisa Mcmann’s books taught me art is a worthwhile and powerful pursuit, even in the worst of times. The books of Brandon Sanderson, that pain, loneliness and depression are not an inescapable prison. All these have taught me hope in a world that wails in hopelessness. They have taught me that if the worst comes to worst, it’s not over, and I am never alone. These ideas shaped my worldview and my goals. They kept me from giving up when at my lowest in 2020, consumed by anxiety, depression and fear. It felt like there was no way out and no future ahead, but I held on and got help. I knew I had to hope. I was terrified to pursue my passion for music in a time where the arts seem less and less lucrative. I couldn’t afford college, and all the programs were far away. But I knew I couldn't give up on my dreams. I poured myself into my classes and my music, applied for scholarships, and worked every hour I could spare. I still take the hour-long bus ride to school each day. In recent years I’ve experienced heartbreak and loss, loneliness, and anxiety, financial, physical, and mental health struggles. But I always remember no matter how hard it gets, my story is not over yet. Not only do the stories in books inspire me, but their authors do as well. They were once just like me; starting from scratch, wading into the uncertainty of an artistic career full of rejection letters yet still passionate to create. I owe my inspiration and my worldview to the books they so lovingly crafted, even in the face of their life’s challenges. They didn’t give up, their characters didn’t give up, and I will never give up. I would not be who and where I am without the indescribable value of books. I know that no matter the struggles in my journey, there will always be another chapter full of possibility and hope.

My name is Dymphna, and I’m a musician. It’s well known that for most, there’s no money in music. Or any branch of art for that matter. But any artist will tell you that’s not the point. Music is the cornerstone of who I am. Ever since I can remember, music has played a massive part in my life. My earliest memory is hearing my dad playing Ravel on the piano at night as I listened from my bed. I always had a song in my soul and as I went about my day I would walk around the house or the backyard, dancing, and singing songs I made up. I remember being encouraged to sing for family members, and singing Danny Boy with my grandmother when we would visit her. That was the beginning of my performance experience, and what gave me the foundation of confidence to keep performing, even today. In high school, I was given the option to participate in a sport or start taking voice lessons. I chose the latter and soon realized music was what I truly wanted to do. I was often told that I needed to pursue a “real” degree; I was told music would never be a profitable career, and nearly let myself get pressured into pursuing engineering. But after my one-year-old sister nearly died due to diabetic ketoacidosis, I came to realize how short life is. I won’t get to pursue music “next time”. This is my opportunity to pursue what I love with total abandon and without fear. However, my dream is not only to chase what I love but also to use music to help others. Music is a crucial part of how I process events. Without it, the emotions I need to process are either completely overwhelming or distant to me, making moving on impossible. But I am free when I can compose or listen to the right song. The only thing that held me together during the aftermath of traumatic life events was listening to music to process what happened. Learning to compose helped to pull me out of depression during one of the most difficult times of my life. The necessary role that music had in my mental health journey during that time made me realize I wanted to be able to give back. I want to use my talents to help others in the same way so many artists have helped me. To tell stories and express the beauty unique to the musical experience. I want to inspire other girls to compose and give them someone to look up to. Music has allowed me to see the world in ways I never dreamed possible. Without my music scholarship, I wouldn't be able to afford to go to college. As a member of KU’s chamber choir, I was allowed to compete in an international choral competition in Preveza, Greece. That week was one of the most life-changing I’ve ever experienced. It was my first trip abroad, and getting to sing and dance to the same song with a choir from across the globe brought me to tears. That level of human connection was incredibly special. Not only that but getting to hear music from so many different composers helped to spark my drive to become a composer. So how has music changed my life? I wouldn’t be myself without it. It has given me community, catharsis, friendship, leadership, an education, and perspective, but most importantly, it has filled my life with joy. As a budding composer, I can't wait to see what the future holds.

My name is Dymphna, and I’m a musician. You may wonder why. It’s well known that for most, there’s no money in music. Or any branch of art for that matter . But any artist will tell you that’s not the point. Ever since I can remember, music has played a massive part of my life. My earliest memory is hearing my dad playing the piano at night as I listened from my bed. I always had a song in my soul and as I went about my day I would walk around the house or the backyard, singing songs I made up, regardless of how it annoyed my brothers. I remember being encouraged to sing for family members, and singing Danny Boy with my grandmother when we would visit her. That was the beginning of my performance experience, and what gave me the foundation of confidence to keep performing, even today. In high school, I was given the option to participate in a sport or start taking voice lessons. I chose the latter and soon realized music was what I truly wanted to do. I was often told that I needed to pursue a “real” degree; I was told music would never be a profitable career, and nearly let myself get pressured into pursuing engineering. But after my one-year-old sister nearly died due to diabetic ketoacidosis, I came to realize how short life really is. I won’t get to pursue music “next time”. This is my opportunity to pursue what I love with total abandon and without fear. However my dream is not only to chase what I want, but also to use music to help others. Music is a crucial part of how I process life events. Without it, the emotions I need to process are either completely overwhelming, or distant to me, making moving on impossible. The only thing that held me together during the aftermath of traumatic life events was listening to music to process what happened, such as when I had to talk my brother down from jumping off a bridge. The necessary role that music had in my mental health journey during that time made me realize I wanted to be able to give back. I want to use my talents to help others in the same way so many artists had helped me. It is my dream to become a composer. I know I have a spark and a unique musical palette, and I want to learn how to bring it out of my head and into the world. To say the arts are important simply doesn’t capture their necessity. The desire to create and to enjoy art is indelibly stamped on our hearts across the entirety of humanity. It connects to each other both globally and individually. I think that’s the most beautiful thing about us. And I can’t wait to be a part of it

Ever since I can remember, I have had music in my soul. As a child, I remember singing with my grandmother and constantly making up songs. One of my earliest memories is hearing Billy Joel's Piano Man at the pool during the summer, and thinking, "I want to write music like that". Music is my heartbeat. It is how I process emotions, how I perceive the world, how I express myself, how I heal, and the deepest connector across humanity; I want to weave it into art I can share with the world. I was often told I needed to pursue a "real" degree in college and that music would never be a profitable career. But I came to realize just how short life is, and that I won't be able to pursue music "next time". This is my opportunity to pursue what I love with total abandon and without fear, so I am currently pursuing my undergraduate degree in music composition. I am passionate about exploring all the opportunities pursuing my education gives me; I’m finding new interests, honing my abilities, learning about other cultures, learning leadership and cultivating relationships with others. My dream is to compose soundtracks, my own solo albums, choral music, and musicals. With my degree, I will learn how to write for each instrument, how to compose in a digital audio workstation, how to arrange for an orchestra and so much more. Music is my heartbeat, and I want to share it with the world I maintain a near-perfect GPA, and am a participant in several campus organizations, including the international-award-winning KU Chamber Choir, and president of the American Choral Directors Association at KU. In high school, I was fortunate enough to take dual-credit classes, so I was able to finish my associate’s degree from Johnson County Community College just a year after graduating. My current goal is to complete my degree and I am making steady progress towards my Global Awareness Program Certificate, as well as my Music Recording Certificate. Roadblocks never slow me down for long. In an effort to save on room and board, I commute from Overland Park every day, taking the K-10 bus. That means catching the 6:30 a.m. bus in order to make it to my 8:00 classes. I am one of seven children, and my youngest sister has type-one diabetes, an extremely costly medical condition. Because of this, I am paying my own way through college, and as a transfer student, there is far less financial aid open to me. However, I still persevere, because I am determined to become the best I can be. I want to learn how to truly use my instrument to help share the beauty in music with others. We each get one life and I am determined to make the most of mine.

Ever since I can remember, I have had music in my soul. As a child, I remember singing with my grandmother and constantly making up songs. One of my earliest memories is hearing Billy Joel's Piano Man at the pool during the summer, and thinking, "I want to write music like that". After that, I fell in love with his music and he's been my favorite artist since then, writing music almost in a genre of its own. Like him, I want to write a genre of my own. Music is my heartbeat. It is how I process emotions, how I perceive the world, how I express myself, how I heal, and the deepest connector across humanity; I want to weave it into art I can share with the world. I was often told I needed to pursue a "real" degree in college and that music would never be a profitable career. But I came to realize just how short life is, and that I won't be able to pursue music "next time". This is my opportunity to pursue what I love with total abandon and without fear. However, my financial situation is putting this at risk. I am one of seven children, and my younger sister has type-1 diabetes, an extremely costly medical condition. The result of this is I am paying my own way through college. To save money on room and board, I commute an hour from home, taking the bus every day. However, this means it is difficult for me to work, as the buses are often unreliable and the times they run make it extremely challenging to fit in a shift. On top of this, because I am a transfer student from community college, there is far less financial aid available to me to begin with. So although I am working as much as I can, it's not enough to cover tuition. Despite this, I'm determined to pursue my degree. My dream is to compose soundtracks, my own solo albums, choral music, and musicals. With my degree, I will learn how to write for each instrument, how to compose in a digital audio workstation, how to arrange for an orchestra and so much more. This scholarship will help me to do that. I am determined to make the most of my life and to never let roadblocks stop me from pursuing my passion. Thank you sincerely for your consideration.

Ever since I can remember, I have had music in my soul. As a child, I remember singing with my grandmother and constantly making up songs. Music is my heartbeat. It is how I process emotions, how I perceive the world, how I express myself, and the deepest connector across humanity; I want to weave it into art I can share with the world. I was often told I needed to pursue a "real" degree in college and that music would never be a profitable career. But I came to realize just how short life is, and that I won't be able to pursue music "next time". This is my opportunity to pursue what I love with total abandon and without fear. However, my financial situation is putting this at risk. I am one of seven children, and my younger sister has type-1 diabetes, an extremely costly medical condition. The result of this is I am paying my own way through college. To save money on room and board, I commute an hour from home, taking the bus every day. However, this means it is difficult for me to work, as the buses are often unreliable and the times they run make it extremely challenging to fit in a shift. On top of this, because I am a transfer student from community college, there is far less financial aid available to me to begin with. So although I am working as much as I can, it's not enough to cover tuition. Despite this, I'm determined to pursue my degree. When writing music, I use the right and left halves of my brain, although I often have to be careful to separate the two. I have what I call "the artist" - the right side, and "the editor"- the left. The artist must be free, and I must let her create without second-guessing. Otherwise, the editor will jump in and smother her and I'm left paralyzed with a blank piece of paper. Once the artist is done, she looks over my shoulder while the editor cleans up the stray glitter. A piece would not be complete without both of them. My dream with my degree is to compose soundtracks, albums, choral music, and musicals. With my degree, I will learn how to write for each instrument, how to compose in a digital audio workstation, how to arrange for an orchestra and so much more. I can't wait for what my future holds, and I won't wait to pursue my dream. I am determined to make the most of my life and to never let roadblocks stop me from pursuing my passion. Thank you sincerely for your consideration.

The dream version of my future self is someone who touches and heals hearts everywhere through the music I write.

I am afraid of my life going to waste. I am afraid that the one and only opportunity I have to make a difference will be spent scrolling mindlessly through my phone. I don't want to spend my entire life trapped by a screen or chasing the next spark of dopamine. That's why the song that has the most important message to me is "Brass Band" by Jukebox the Ghost. This song is about truly experiencing life instead of drowning in the distractions and missing out on what matters most. The lyrics to the first verse and chorus are as follows: "Boredom is a gift But I've had enough of it To last a lifetime Give me something shocking Feel like I am falling I want to wake up with a start Boredom is a gift That's why I leave my time unfilled Take the phone out of my hands I want the rarest thrills So they hit my soul like a ten piece brass band Brass band Like a ten piece brass band" I don't want my life to be muffled by all the noise and flashing lights. This song inspires me to make sure I'm not just letting life pass me by. It makes me want to live in the moment and fully experience anything and everything I do.

My biggest passion is music. Ever since I was little, I would be singing all the time. I believe it is the universal language, found in virtually every culture. It connects us all across nations. When I feel it vibrating through me, it's like I'm transported to a different world where nothing matters but the sounds filling me. When I'm singing, I can share the beauty I feel with other people and make the world just a little bit less dark. The music can have different moods, from playful and light to soulful and heartbroken. It can take you on a journey or it can bring you back to where you are. Whether singing solo or in choirs, singing is like my life-force. It helps me to process my emotions and to become inspired. I have tried many forms of art and hobbies over the years, but this is the only one that I've always stuck with. It sustains me, and is truly my passion.

I have always bounced endlessly from one passion to the next, never settling on one thing for too long. There is just too much to try to stick myself in just one box. I believe that life is our only shot to do the most we can. So I’ve always tried my hardest to learn the most I can; to pursue my different passions and curiosities as far as they can go. None of us get a do-over in life, so I also believe we have an obligation to help others in need. If we all help each other, we’ll all have a better opportunity to make the time we have count. Because we only have one shot, I want to live wild and free in the time that I have; I want to experience every facet life that I possibly can. I have a list of everything I want to try, from careers to life experiences. From going metal-detecting on a beach to becoming a bartender. I want to hike to the top of a mountain, be a bus-driver, go skydiving, and see the Northern Lights. To learn to skateboard, learn to tattoo and to play slap bass. Most importantly, I want to meet all different kinds of people. Life is too short to spend it in a mediocre way. I want to try every part of life because I only have one. I want to help others to have their best shot at life because they only have one. I want to shout from the rooftops that we all only live once. Hopefully I can inspire others and help them to pursue their own adventures. We only get one shot, so we have to make it count.

I think the best way to live a long, healthy life is to not let the world slow me down. From what I've seen, the elderly who remain active don't experience entropy as much. Even stopping in one's forties seems to cause loss of muscle and frailty much faster when ageing. Diet, of course, is incredibly important, but even the best diet without any movement won't do as much good as getting out and walking. So I think the key is to remain in shape through being middle-aged so one doesn't fall out of the habit of being active. Since I want to get the most I can out of life, I am determined to keep working out as I age.

I have always bounced endlessly from one passion to the next, never settling on one thing for too long. There is just too much to try to stick myself in just one box. I believe that life is our only shot to do the most we can. So I’ve always tried my hardest to learn the most I can; to pursue my different passions and curiosities as far as they can go. None of us get a do-over in life, so I also believe we have an obligation to help others in need. If we all help each other, we’ll all have a better opportunity to make the time we have count. Because we only have one shot, I want to live wild and free in the time that I have; I want to experience every facet life that I possibly can. I have a list of everything I want to try, from careers to life experiences. From going metal-detecting on a beach to becoming a bartender. I want to hike to the top of a mountain, be a bus-driver, go skydiving, and see the Northern Lights. To learn to skateboard, learn to tattoo and to play slap bass. Most importantly, I want to meet all different kinds of people. Life is too short to spend it in a mediocre way. I want to try every part of life because I only have one. I want to help others to have their best shot at life because they only have one. I want to shout from the rooftops that we all only live once. Hopefully I can inspire others and help them to pursue their own adventures. We only get one shot, so we have to make it count.

Something I love about myself is that I am blessed with creativity. But creativity doesn't just mean you can make art. It means you can think outside the box. You can solve problems with unique solutions. You have a unique perspective. I think creativity has helped me to help others, as well as to solve my own problems. Working in the service industry, you have to find a lot of ways to deal with how hectic everything is, and I'm always working to find creative ways to streamline things for everyone. Creativity helps me to express myself through art, but it also helps me to fix sticky situations. Whether it's a school project gone wrong, or a collapsed table, I've been able to maneuver a solution in unusual ways. I also have had to be creative in order to get through college. I've had to rely on talent-based scholarships and to find aid through other grants, as well as to save money on textbooks. I think creativity is the greatest gift I've been given, and I don't know how I'd get through life without it!

One of my favorite hobbies is singing. Ever since I was little, I would be singing all the time. Music is my passion, and I believe it is the universal language. It is found in virtually every culture, and it connects us all. When I feel it vibrating through me, it's like I'm transported to a different world where nothing matters but the sounds filling me. When I'm singing, I can share the beauty I feel with other people and make the world just a little bit less dark. The music can have different moods, from playful and light to soulful and heartbroken. It can take you on a journey or it can bring you back to where you are. Whether singing solo or in choirs, singing is like my life-force. It helps me to process my emotions and to become inspired. I love the other hobbies I have. They are wonderful, but this one sustains me.

I look for beauty in everything--in the smallest details and the finest imperfections. I find it everywhere and I want to share that beauty that I see with the world, and that's why art is what drives me. I see these moments and it fills me with wonder, so I am driven to create these snapshots of beauty that help other people look for it through their lives, too. I share that beauty through many mediums. Through singing, through painting, through drawing, through digital art. Anything I can do to share that beauty with the rest of the world. I have been self-taught my whole life, but I would like to take classes and learn what the masters did, and techniques and styles that I haven't tried. If I can become a better artist, I can more accurately depict the moments I am trying to capture. I buy all of my art supplies and am paying my own way through college, and this scholarship would help me to learn more about art and to continue creating it. I want to keep making the world a little brighter and to keep creating. I want to continue sharing the beaty I see with others. I want to keep learning and making art. Thank you for your consideration.

I want to experience as much of life as I can. There are no do-overs, so I have to make every minute count. I have always been a "Jack of all trades", bouncing from one thing to another, and I want to continue that to experience as many facets of life as I can. I only began writing my dreams down last year but so far on my bucket list, I have experienced mountains, horseback riding, going fishing, riding in a boat, and learned to roll a coin across my knuckles. But I have so much more that I want to do. There are many careers that call to me and I'm going to try them all. I love animals and want to try dog grooming, as well as wildlife photography. I would like to get my pilot's license, apprentice as a tattoo artist, as a welder, and be a bus driver. Bartending, hair tech, glass blowing and making floral arrangements also are on my list. I love visual and performing arts, so I want to try voice acting, write a musical, work in sound design, creature design, and try stunt-double work. Outside of careers, there are experiences I need to try. I want to learn to juggle, see the Nothern Lights, learn to play the marimba, the tambourine, and to tap-dance. I want to go hang-gliding, skydiving, spelunking and snorkeling. I want to drive a monster truck, go to a sky-park and learn to sail. To learn to surf, to go on a beach with a metal detector, to swim with dolphins and whale sharks. I want to learn to shuffle-dance and try caviar. And finally, the last item on my bucket list. I want to be able to say I have truly lived.

I believe that life is our one big shot to do the most we possibly can. To reach the highest heights we can reach. But since we all have one shot, we have a responsibility to help everyone else to have opportunities and have a good chance at life. None of us get a do-over, so I believe in helping others in need. If we all help each other, we’ll all have a better opportunity to make the time we have count. My friends often refer to me as the "mom" of the friend group. I like to make sure others are doing well mentally and physically, so I've been known to check in on people a lot. I help my friends to map out their dreams and ambitions and to problem-solve their issues. I believe I may have a calling as a life-coach. I love forming connections with my fellow students, so I love organizing zoom calls, study guides, and study sessions to make sure we all can succeed in the class and pursue our dreams. We don't just get good grades out of it though; we receive friendship and community. It makes the campus feel a little bit smaller and I still hang out with many of the friends I've made in class. I feel like we have a hard enough time getting through life as it is, and it doesn't take much for us to help each other to experience life to the fullest. It's my goal in life to continue supporting others and helping people in little ways or big ones.

This is Summer. She's a grumpy-on-the-outside, snuggly-on-the-inside kind of cat. She loves to lay in the sun, or curl up in your lap for a snooze. She loves playing with (and destroying) flowers and that's why I took this photo, which she was polite enough to sit still for. tag: summycat20