Pursuing music technology has been an aspiration of mine since I was a middle schooler. When I was 11 years old, I asked the leaders of the Audio/Visual department at my church if I could learn how to use the soundboards and mixing for the worship service. They initially said no because of my age, but because of that, I worked hard on my own to reach the point where I could be a valuable member of the audio team when I was of age. During those years, from 11 years old to this past summer, I learned about the music and film industry, used many different digital audio workspaces, from beginner-level workspaces like SoundTrap to more advanced ones like ProTools, and studied important aspects of audio engineering through Audio University videos on YouTube. I continued participating in extracurricular ensembles and took AP Music Theory my junior year. As a senior, I decided that my audio-engineering career aspirations would be specifically in post-production engineering. I researched continuously what would allow me to excel in this field. What most companies look for in post-production engineers is experience in a plethora of digital audio workspaces, expertise in audio manipulation through techniques like ADR, years of work experience, and expertise in musicianship. I applied to eight different programs that would successfully prepare me. Because of my dedication and hard work, I was admitted into all the programs I applied to, including my top choice, the University of Rochester. This program's Music and Audio Engineering curriculum has many different opportunities to improve me as a performer through studying at the Eastman School of Music, a highly regarded music program, while also being an accredited program by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. Through research, I found that the course also has specific audio techniques and electronics classes to teach me how to edit and manipulate audio through techniques like ADR and learn many different types of digital audio workspaces. The program also allows students to study abroad in the United Kingdom and gain internships through the school, which will give graduates of the program experience that will impress employers. I fully believe that an education of this caliber will prepare me for a successful career as an audio engineer through the program's focus on musicianship coupled with sound design, which will set me apart from my peers when I look to apply for jobs. Though I was admitted into the program, the cost of the university will likely deter me from committing due to the impact on my family, especially because I have four other siblings who will also look to achieve higher education in the next couple of years. If I am awarded this scholarship, it will help alleviate some of the financial burden on myself and my family. It will also allow me to complete an education at a university with the programming to continue growing as a musician and an engineer and make connections in the industry. These factors will set me apart in a field that does not always have individuals with that level of accreditation and will bring me great success as a post-production engineer.

When I first saw the movie Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, I was astounded by the different sound effects and music, which were integral and helped make an impactful story representing minorities like myself. It showed me music and sound's innate nature to connect people and I wanted to learn how I could use that to make creations that could bring that same message. From that moment, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in music. To reach my goal, I attempted to saturate myself in music and audio creation by asking the leaders of my church's Audio/Visual department if I could learn how to use the soundboards and live mix for the worship service. They initially said no because of my age, but because of that, I worked hard on my own to reach the point where I could be a valuable member of the audio team when I was of age. I practiced the instrument I had chosen as a third grader, my clarinet, every day to become an expert. By the time I was a seventh grader, I was an advanced clarinet player for my grade and was selected to play in the All-City Band. The following summer, I asked my parents for a guitar to expand my instrumental knowledge, but they refused because they were apprehensive about my dedication. Though denied, I knew music was my passion and I borrowed an old Ibanez bass from a neighbor that he was going to throw away. I practiced and learned how to read bass clef all through the summer, and when I auditioned that fall, I made the eighth-grade jazz band. My clarinet expertise also allowed me to be a member of the high school marching band, which I participated in, learning more musical expertise at marching band state competitions. I was also introduced to my first digital audio workspace, SoundTrap, where I practiced sound mixing, recording, and editing which opened a whole new perspective of music creation. When I entered high school, I made the competition jazz band, continued competing in marching, and joined my church's worship team as a guitarist with a guitar I got with saved gift cards. Each new ensemble I joined taught me something new about music and audio. Sophomore year, I made the wind ensemble the youngest an instrumentalist can be to perform for it. Being a part of the wind ensemble taught me the intricacies that made scores like Spider-Man's so special. I was taught the importance of timbre and balance in an ensemble and new types of complex melodies. All of this knowledge inspired me to pursue a career in music for films. During my junior year, I took AP Music Theory to learn how to orchestrate music to create an impact on films. I also continued to learn more about audio engineering. I used the money from my job to buy Pro Tools, which taught me how to use compression and equalizers and mix, record, and master in professional quality workspaces. All of these aspects of audio engineering were incredibly interesting and captivating, which led me to aspire to be a post-production engineer once I complete a music degree in Sound Recording Technology. My years of passion and dedication allowed me to be accepted into all of the universities I applied to and the Audio/Visual department at church. I was inspired by music's ability to affect an audience and represent people who are often overlooked. That sparked a passion in me that has led me to pursue a career in creating music to inspire people like I was inspired.

When I first saw the movie Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, I was astounded by the different sound effects and music, which were integral and helped make the story incredible. From that moment, I knew I wanted to work in some aspect of sound creation. Because of this inspiration, I asked the leaders of my church's Audio/Visual department if I could learn how to use the soundboards and live mixing for the worship service. They initially said no because of my age, but because of that, I worked hard on my own to reach the point where I could be a valuable member of the audio team when I was of age. During those years, from middle school to this past summer, I learned everything I could to prepare me to become a great at audio engineering in the future. In elementary school, I learned to play clarinet, so I continued to become an expert by practicing it daily. I also asked for old guitars and a bass that people in my neighborhood would throw away and learned how to read bass clef sheet music and play the instruments. I was also introduced to my first digital audio workspace, SoundTrap, where I practiced sound mixing, recording, and editing to be prepared to join my Audio/Visual team in church. By the time I was in high school, I was participating in miscellaneous audition-based honors ensembles and competition bands on bass and clarinet, as well as taking AP Music Theory to further advance my musicianship skills. When I got my first job, I used the money to buy Pro Tools Ultimate. I learned how to use ProTools Ultimate coupled with Audio University videos, which taught me how to use compression and equalizers and mix, record, and master in professional quality workspaces. Because of my dedication and work, when I asked again this past summer for a position at the soundboards, I was accepted, and I am currently in training to run the soundboards and help in live sound mixing for services and the YouTube stream. Though I am interested in all aspects of audio engineering, my main desired field is audio post-production engineering. To reach this career goal, I applied to eight programs that would prepare me successfully. Because of my dedication and hard work, I was admitted into all the programs I applied to, including my top choice, the University of Rochester. This program's Music and Audio Engineering curriculum has many different opportunities to improve me as a performer through studying at the Eastman School of Music, a highly regarded music program, while also being an accredited program by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. Through research, I found that the course also has specific audio techniques and electronics classes to teach students how to edit and manipulate audio through techniques like ADR and learn many different types of digital audio workspaces. I fully believe that an education of this caliber will prepare me for a successful career as an audio engineer through the program's focus on musicianship coupled with sound design, which will set me apart from my peers when I look to apply for jobs. Sound and audio have shaped my entire life thus far, and I am dedicated to making it my career. Once I gain a college education in the field, I will fully be prepared to be an audio post-production engineer for movies and other media like the ones that inspired me. I also hope to inspire others to build audio engineering and sound design careers.

Pursuing music technology has been an aspiration of mine since I was a middle schooler. When I was 11 years old, I asked the leaders of the Audio/Visual department at my church if I could learn how to use the soundboards and mixing for the worship service. They initially said no because of my age, but because of that, I worked hard on my own to reach the point where I could be a valuable member of the audio team when I was of age. During those years, from 11 years old to this past summer, I learned about the music and film industry, used many different digital audio workspaces, from beginner-level workspaces like SoundTrap to more advanced ones like ProTools, and studied important aspects of audio engineering through Audio University videos on YouTube. I continued participating in extracurricular ensembles and took AP Music Theory my junior year. As a senior, I decided that my audio-engineering career aspirations would be specifically in post-production engineering. I researched continuously what would allow me to excel in this field. What most companies look for in post-production engineers is experience in a plethora of digital audio workspaces, expertise in audio manipulation through techniques like ADR, years of work experience, and expertise in musicianship. I applied to eight different programs that would successfully prepare me. Because of my dedication and hard work, I was admitted into all of the programs I applied to, including my top choice, the University of Rochester. This program's Music and Audio Engineering curriculum has many different opportunities to improve me as a performer through studying at the Eastman School of Music, a highly regarded music program, while also being an accredited program by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. Through research, I found that the course also has specific audio techniques and electronics classes to teach me how to edit and manipulate audio through techniques like ADR and learn many different types of digital audio workspaces. The program also allows students to study abroad in the United Kingdom and gain internships through the school, which will give graduates of the program experience that will impress employers. I fully believe that an education of this caliber will prepare me for a successful career as an audio engineer through the program's focus on musicianship coupled with sound design, which will set me apart from my peers when I look to apply for jobs. Though I was admitted into the program, the cost of the university will likely deter me from committing due to the impact on my family, especially because I have four other siblings who will also look to achieve higher education in the next couple of years. If I am awarded this scholarship, it will help alleviate some of the financial burden on myself and my family. It will also allow me to complete an education at a university with the programming to continue growing as a musician and an engineer and make connections in the industry. These factors will set me apart in a field that does not always have individuals with that level of accreditation and will bring me great success as a post-production engineer.