"Mr. Eric, can you help me?" I plan to make my positive impact on the world through music teaching of all ages and abilities. Thanks to Learn Now Music, I have the ability to teach a beginner music camp for children, many of whom have little to no experience with playing instruments, to learn piano, drums, violin, and guitar. Through this experience of teaching various personalities and levels of music, I realized that there is no other joy than helping others discover music for the first time. Each day brought new challenges such as the different levels of energy or understanding within the group of 20. Some kids understood my way of teaching better than others, so I had to find ways to get everyone on the same page and understand in their own way. As a student at Juilliard, I am incredibly grateful to receive the world-class training I do, however it is incredibly difficult to balance working to help pay for tuition as well as keeping up with my classes and individual practicing. I strive to make music accessible and inspiring to all students of all ages, and I believe music has an incredible power that all children deserve to receive in their education. The teamwork and the creativity that music builds is so important for children to understand, especially in a world where attention-spans and critical thinking skills are decreasing, music education builds skills needed for their futures. Teaching, specifically young children, has shown me the positive impact I can bring to the world.

Pursuing a major in Double Bass Performance stems from my deep desire to connect with others through music. My passion for this field is not only rooted in the art itself but in the relationships and community that surround it. Performing, teaching, and collaborating are all essential parts of what makes music so meaningful to me, and they drive my commitment to becoming a professional musician. One of the most rewarding aspects of studying music is the opportunity to make music with others. Working in an ensemble with incredibly talented peers brings me immense joy and motivation. There is a unique energy that comes from playing music collectively, and it challenges me to rise to the level of those around me. Their passion and excellence inspire me to refine my own craft and keep pushing myself forward. Collaboration fosters a sense of unity, and those experiences are some of the most fulfilling in my musical journey. Community engagement has also played a major role in shaping my decision to pursue a career in music. As a member of the Centennial Music Outreach Program, I regularly perform for senior citizens in our local area. These performances often bring out visible emotions—smiles, tears, and expressions of gratitude—that remind me how powerful music can be. It can stir memories, bring comfort, and create a sense of shared humanity. Knowing that I can bring joy and emotional connection through performance gives my music a larger purpose and keeps me grounded in why I chose this path. Teaching has been another influential part of my musical life. Over the past few years, I’ve had the privilege of mentoring four middle school double bass students, all of whom have successfully auditioned for youth orchestras. Working with these students allows me to pass on what I’ve learned and relive the initial excitement that brought me into music. Their eagerness and curiosity remind me daily of why I fell in love with the double bass in the first place. Watching their progress is incredibly rewarding, and it reinforces my own desire to continue learning and evolving. Ultimately, it’s the combination of these meaningful connections—collaborating with peers, engaging with the community, and guiding younger musicians—that makes Double Bass Performance the ideal major for me. This field offers endless opportunities to grow not only as a performer but also as a human being. I am constantly inspired to set new goals, explore new repertoire, and share my music with others. There’s always something more to learn, a deeper level of expression to reach, and another person to connect with through sound. In pursuing a career in music, I am choosing a life dedicated to connection, expression, and growth. Double Bass Performance is more than just my major—it's the path that allows me to build lasting relationships and contribute meaningfully to the world through the universal language of music.

Connecting with others. Peers, community engagement, and teaching, are my way of creating positive impact on the world. Perhaps the most inspiring aspect for me is making music with amazing peers. Working with others through my high school's orchestra and choir, Centennial Chamber Orchestra and Centennial Chamber Choir, has been the highlights of my daily life over the past four years. The enjoyment that emerges from playing or singing as an ensemble pushes me to match the energy and level of my peers. In my youth orchestras, the Howard County Youth Orchestra and Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestra, which I am principal and assistant principal of, working alongside talented individuals not only enhances my skills but also inspires me to achieve my best in music performance. From my experiences at summer festivals like Bass Works, Boston University Tanglewood Institute, and the Orford Musique Academie, I have met many incredible double bassists that have the same future goals as me, and inspire me to continue playing the bass. Witnessing the joy and nostalgia that music brings to the community highlights the transformative power of art. From the Centennial Music Outreach Program I am president of, I have the opportunity to perform for senior citizens in the area. They are always incredibly thankful and I strive to continually bring better music each and every time. Here is where one of my two professional goals lie: performing for the community through a professional orchestra. Playing multiple concerts a week for the community is the best thing I can do to spread my love for music. The second part of my future goals come from mentoring middle schoolers (through a club I manage called Music Mentors) who share the same love for music is another source of inspiration. I strive to become a professor at a conservatory or teach privately. From my time in Music Mentors, I have taught four young double bassists who have auditioned and been accepted to various middle and high school youth orchestras. Teaching these young, eager students allows me to give back to my community, and brings me back to the excitement and curiosity that initially drew me to music in the first place. My students’ enthusiasm for growth constantly reaffirms my own commitment to learning. These connections have greatly inspired me to always reach for a new goal and have fun while making incredible music with others.

Music is the representation of what humanity is capable of and what makes us, us. For me, Music has not always felt this way. At first with piano and guitar, I felt it was just something I had to practice because that is what my parents wanted me to do, just like math problems or English vocabulary. However, after picking up the double bass and playing with my school orchestra for the first time, the choice to become a musician was not just a decision but a calling—a pursuit of passion and art that I have followed through every stage of my life ever since. From learning how to hold the bow in third grade, to playing in school orchestra for the first time, to playing in the premier summer festival of Boston University Tanglewood Institute, music has brought many life-long friends and experiences. Many of the friends from BUTI who may live across the country and I have not seen them in person in over a year, but through technology I am able to talk to them very often. That experience has so influential in helping me go through difficult times and celebrating great times. Music, in my life, is my source of inspiration, not only through double bass and symphonic classical works, but within contemporary chamber pieces and even other styles of music like opera and musical theater. The thrill of performing, the challenge of tackling a new work or technique, and the ability to connect with audiences above an emotional level are powerful inspirations that always have a room of improvement, and has driven me to dedicate myself fully to this art form. Teaching and mentoring are also incredibly inspiring; witnessing growth week after week and seeing a student enjoy the music they are making is incredible. My 4 students have not only gotten better and thoroughly enjoyed the lessons, but I have been inspired to continually get better at teaching and playing to provide a good model for these students. This desire to continuously improve my craft and make a meaningful impact in the world is the reason for pursuing music at the collegiate and professional level. To perform with esteemed ensembles, to collaborate with other talented musicians, and to contribute to the community fuel my determination to excel in this field. My decision to become a musician is driven by a deep passion for the art form and a commitment to inspiring the next generation. By leveraging the resources and training offered at an institution, I will be well-equipped to realize my aspirations and make my significant impact in the whole world through inspiring and giving the younger generation an opportunity to embrace the same experiences as I did.