Growing up as a very observant child, I did not take long to realize that the best way to leave your mark in this world was to make a personal impact on someone. It was not long after that that I realized my impact came through my talents, first my voice. Since the age of five, I have been very intentional about who I want to be, the life I want to lead, and the things I want to create. Not how I want to be perceived, but exactly who I will be inside. My favorite storyteller is Stevie Wonder; there’s something so effortless yet timeless, relatable and fun in everything he creates. Whether lyrically, sonically, or both. Writing, singing, performing, directing, I always had my sights set on being on stage. My life was one big, great production, and, using the wisdom I gathered from those around me to navigate my childhood, many people called me an old soul. My mother always labeled me as a social butterfly growing up, even though in reality, I tend to lean on the antisocial side. What I learned is that people naturally gravitate toward me because of who I am, how I present myself, and the gifts I share. They then open up to me and want to share something of themselves in return. When I realized that this exchange of energy was happening, I knew the kind of art I wanted to create and the impact I wanted to have. All of this happened before the age of seven. My art is made with the intention to tell familiar stories in unfamiliar ways. Using shared life experiences to tell stories, but putting them in odd packaging. Or changing specific details that make you think twice, or using word play that makes you giggle, or even Google. I want my art to offer humanity, healing, comfort, regularity, but also possibility. The name of my creative direction and production company is NOIZILI LLC. My name is Haili Zion, and I have vowed to do everything in my life noisily. When you listen to my song Eighth Wonder, think about the fact that it was written by a 13-year-old girl with a childish middle-school crush. She was doing a project on the seven wonders of the world and could not help but imagine her crush as the eighth. Timeless, relatable, and fun.

Without music I would not be half the human I am and without singing I would not know my purpose in life. Music is my first love. Since preschool, I have fancied myself a singer/songwriter. I believe it was destined. A large portion of why I am studying music performance but of "dying" genre is I believe a lot of music of today has lost the quality of live performance, which is a big part of why songs are timeless. There is an irrevocable connection made between the band, artist and the audience when a song is performed live. I plan on using my music to connect but also heal people sonically. I am studying music performance as well as music therapy and learning the frequencies that do heal. Many people will not seek therapy or a doctor, but will listen to music to help them escape pain or to help them triumph. I want my music to provide healing that is not cognitive enough to be stigmatized yet effective. The negative stigma is always talked about when it comes to therapy, but a bigger portion that prevents people of color from receiving help is financial disparity and access to resources. Through music therapy I plan on closing that gap by making healing easily available and free. Creativity, intellect, scholarship, and talent are just a few tenets that help to cultivate my artistry. I am attending Howard University to professionally develop my skills and experience the magic of being surrounded by so many otherworldly talents, both past and present. If iron truly sharpens iron, Howard was the only reasonable next step in my lifelong plan. I'm going to create timeless pieces—timeless moments and cultural markers that will be difficult to appropriate. Many of the people I greatly admire are products of Howard University, including both of my parents. As a creative one of the biggest realities that frustrates me is Artificial Intelligence or AI. Those it is nothing truly new and has slowly become better and stronger. AI is an artist biggest enemy. It generates generic audio and visuals that satisfy the immediate desire without the individuality and authenticity the human creatives bring to the field. As an artist I avoid AI and AI programming. I believe the music industry is crying for innovators and visionaries thinking outside of the system. Those creatives with those minds have repeatedly been the ones to make an impact and stand the test of time. I believe by reaching back, learning from the greats, and creating something true to me is the way I will leave my stamp. My name is Haili Zion, and my brand slogan is "DO EVERYTHING NOIZILI". This represents being loud and proud, never deviating from your true authentic voice. Noiz is derived from my middle name Zion (its backwards) and will be the name of my first album. As a musician sound and sonics are how I make statements, so I will forever make noiz.

Growing up I was always taught to be grateful because their is always someone less fortunate than you. Values of not being wasteful, selfish, considering those who have less and being generous. I have spent a large part of my life volunteering in schools, shelters and programs with my close family. A large portion of why I am studying music performance of "dying" genre is I believe a lot of music of today has lost the quality of live performance, which is a big part of why songs are timeless. There is an irrevocable connection made between the band, artist and the audience when a song is performed live. I plan on using my music to connect but also heal people sonically. I am studying music performance as well as music therapy and learning the frequencies that do heal. Many people will not seek therapy or a doctor, but will listen to music to help them escape pain or to help them triumph. I want my music to provide healing that is not cognitive enough to be stigmatized yet effective. There stigma is always talked about when it comes to therapy, but a bigger portion that prevents people of color from receiving help is financial disparity and access to resources. Through music therapy I plan on closing that gap by making healing easily available and free.

When it comes to natural curiosity, mine has always stemmed in the arts. I am attending Howard University as a Music Performance major because my freedom since I was born has been found in music. And I know the more I learn about the fundamentals of music, specifically of black music and performance, the more things I will have on my palate to freely create the art and lifestyle I desire. Without music I would not be half the human I am and without singing I would not know my purpose in life. Music is my first love. Since preschool, I have fancied myself a singer/songwriter. I believe it was destined. A large portion of why I am studying music performance but of "dying" genre is I believe a lot of music of today has lost the quality of live performance, which is a big part of why songs are timeless. There is an irrevocable connection made between the band, artist and the audience when a song is performed live. I plan on using my music to connect but also heal people sonically. I am studying music performance as well as music therapy and learning the frequencies that do heal. Many people will not seek therapy or a doctor, but will listen to music to help them escape pain or to help them triumph. I want my music to provide healing that is not cognitive enough to be stigmatized yet effective. The negative stigma is always talked about when it comes to therapy, but a bigger portion that prevents people of color from receiving help is financial disparity and access to resources. Through music therapy I plan on closing that gap by making healing easily available and free. Creativity, intellect, scholarship, and talent are just a few tenets that help to cultivate my artistry. I am attending Howard University to professionally develop my skills and experience the magic of being surrounded by so many otherworldly talents, both past and present. If iron truly sharpens iron, Howard was the only reasonable next step in my lifelong plan. I'm going to create timeless pieces—timeless moments and cultural markers that will be difficult to appropriate. Many of the people I greatly admire are products of Howard University, including both of my parents. Education has always been emphasized in my life by my parents, friends and family. Beyond the l education the power of knowledge and constant curiosity factors into forever growing as a person as well as personal freedom. I can vividly remember my father teaching me knowledge is freedom, and that knowledge does not simply refer to the things you learn at school. As a creative one of the biggest realities that frustrates me is Artificial Intelligence or AI. Those it is nothing truly new and has slowly become better and stronger. AI is an artist biggest enemy. It generates generic audio and visuals that satisfy the immediate desire without the individuality and authenticity the human creatives bring to the field. As an artist I avoid AI and AI programming. I believe the music industry is crying for innovators and visionaries thinking outside of the system. Those creatives with those minds have repeatedly been the ones to make an impact and stand the test of time. I believe by reaching back, learning from the greats, and creating something true to me is the way I will leave my stamp. My name is Haili Zion, and my brand slogan is "DO EVERYTHING NOIZILI". This represents being loud and proud, never deviating from your true authentic voice. Noiz is derived from my middle name Zion (its backwards) and will be the name of my first album. As a musician sound and sonics are how I make statements, so I will forever make noiz.

Growing up I was always taught to be grateful because their is always someone less fortunate than you. Values of not being wasteful, selfish, considering those who have less and being generous. I have spent a large part of my life volunteering in schools, shelters and programs with my close family. A large portion of why I am studying music performance of "dying" genre is I believe a lot of music of today has lost the quality of live performance, which is a big part of why songs are timeless. There is an irrevocable connection made between the band, artist and the audience when a song is performed live. I plan on using my music to connect but also heal people sonically. I am studying music performance as well as music therapy and learning the frequencies that do heal. Many people will not seek therapy or a doctor, but will listen to music to help them escape pain or to help them triumph. I want my music to provide healing that is not cognitive enough to be stigmatized yet effective. There stigma is always talked about when it comes to therapy, but a bigger portion that prevents people of color from receiving help is financial disparity and access to resources. Through music therapy I plan on closing that gap by making healing easily available and free.

https://youtu.be/-a--AVnXscM

When it comes to natural curiosity, mine has always stemmed in the arts. I am attending Howard University as a Music Performance major minoring in music therapy because my freedom since I was born has been found in music. And I know the more I learn about the fundamentals of black music and performance, the more will have on my palate to freely curate the art I desire. I plan on using my music to connect and heal people sonically by learning the frequencies that do heal. Many people will not seek traditional therapy, but will listen to music. Education has always been emphasized in my life by my parents, friends and family. Beyond the traditional education the power of knowledge and constant curiosity as factors into forever growing as a person as well as personal freedom. My education is also not only about me. As someone who the descendant of enslaved people in America. As well as the descendant of educators who broke barriers like being the first black women to graduate with degrees in education from predominantly white institutions, and being the child of HBCU graduates; it is my responsibility to continue that legacy. The further I take my growth, my knowledge, my education, the more I honor my ancestors who did not have a choice. The more I fulfill the dreams the could and could not foresee. By taking advantage of my education I am already taking advantage of freedoms those before me did not have.

As a Texan, Dallas specifically, Juneteenth has always been apart of my life and childhood. Though majority of America learned of it a few years ago when it became a nationally recognized holiday, I am actually a descendant of one of the enslaved people who was freed in Galveston on June 19, 1865. For me Juneteenth is another demonstration of America failing black people and causing unnecessary suffering. But with slavery being the treacherous event it was, I can only imagine the feeling the people of Galveston experienced when they heard the words they were free. I can only imagine the disbelief, joy, excitement, but also the fear, unease and the baggage that followed once they came upon their new life. I decided to attend an HBCU because in my mind I really had no chose. America's constant state of ignorance and civil war is a constant reminder that the baggage and remnants of enslavement. And in a country where I will be forced to be around white people for the rest of my life, I wanted the beginning and most developmental years of my young adulthood to be in a space where I felt safe and not at war. I also wanted them to be in a place where I could learn from my ancestors and be inspired by my people. As a creative I have found one of my greatest mental blocks to be racism. Creativity, intellect, scholarship, and talent are just a few tenets that help to cultivate my artistry. I am attending Howard University to professionally develop my skills and experience the magic of being surrounded by so many otherworldly talents, both past and present. If iron truly sharpens iron, Howard was the only reasonable next step in my lifelong plan. The Chadwick Boseman College of fine arts offers a foundation and training ground that is unique and dominant. Howard is the only place I can see my ideas coming to life in the form that I have imagined them. I'm going to create timeless pieces—timeless moments and cultural markers that will be difficult to appropriate. Howard is the incubator of all things culturally elevated and I know that I'm learning from people who understand the music I desire to create. I want to be known for my gifts as a singer, a performer, creative director, producer, media personality and a songwriter. Eventually, I plan on using my music in many ways, to change, to heal, to teach, and to enlighten. At Howard, I stand on the shoulders of so many other artists and great talents that I follow and even idolize. Many of the people I greatly admire are products of Howard University, including both of my parents. Without music I would not be half the human I am and without singing I would not know my purpose in life. Music is my first love. Since preschool, I have fancied myself a singer/songwriter. I believe it was destined. Music met me in the womb. My mom is a true music lover, as was her father, my late grandfather. From the stories I am told, music was a huge part of her pregnancy with me. It is like straight out of the womb, I was put on the scale, both literally and figuratively. Every note of every lullaby stuck with me, and I was writing songs by the time was two years old. My love for music only continued to grow through my family and community influences. My grandmother, an avid jazz lover, spent Texas simmers blasting Nancy Wilson and Lou Rawls Christmas albums as if it were mid-December and snow blanketed the ground. Snow I only saw in movies. I would dress up for my great grandmother and use her cane as a microphone while I fantasized of my sold out show one day. Church would give me gospel and the ability to sing lead every third Sunday. I can vividly remember riding around in the backseat of my mom’s car trying to pick every riff, run instrument note and beat. I hoped to one day write a song just as captivating as the ones I was digesting. I am a Music Performance major with a concentration in Jazz Studies. A large portion of why I am studying music performance but of "dying" genre is I believe a lot of music of today has lost the quality of live performance, which is a big part of why songs are timeless. There is an irrevocable connection made between the band, artist and the audience when a song is performed live. I plan on using my music to connect but also heal people sonically I am studying music performance as well as music therapy and learning the frequencies that do heal. Many people will not seek therapy or a doctor, but will listen to music to help them escape pain or to help them triumph. I want my music to provide healing that is not cognitive enough to be stigmatized yet effective. Some of my work as a musician: https://youtu.be/g1WlY9ISgwg?si=RSKPGcplyxb49lrF https://youtu.be/txmzFtQilB0?si=sgcozebUxq7xMeTF https://youtu.be/b1jfQ7PL-w8?si=lMkTCR3lSVtQvFjz Some of my work as a Creative Director: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e39NK1rH8or4zFqX5EiQ1bju4zr9N7ZD/view?usp=sharing https://www.instagram.com/p/DGEUoycxLOk/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=YzU1anpqYjRwd2R3 https://www.instagram.com/p/DGHYXkORUzV/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MW5mcGo3azhydGh2aw== https://www.instagram.com/p/DGKBvVqxAt3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MWtoNHgyY3A0cGxvYg==

Creativity, intellect, scholarship, and talent are just a few tenets that help to cultivate my artistry. I am attending Howard University to professionally develop my skills and experience the magic of being surrounded by so many otherworldly talents, both past and present. If iron truly sharpens iron, Howard was the only reasonable next step in my lifelong plan. The Chadwick Boseman College of fine arts offers a foundation and training ground that is unique and dominant. Howard is the only place I can see my ideas coming to life in the form that I have imagined them. I'm going to create timeless pieces—timeless moments and cultural markers that will be difficult to appropriate. Howard is the incubator of all things culturally elevated and I know that I'm learning from people who understand the music I desire to create. I want to be known for my gifts as a singer, a performer, creative director, producer, media personality and a songwriter. Eventually, I plan on using my music in many ways, to change, to heal, to teach, and to enlighten. At Howard, I stand on the shoulders of so many other artists and great talents that I follow and even idolize. Many of the people I greatly admire are products of Howard University, including both of my parents. Without music I would not be half the human I am and without singing I would not know my purpose in life. Music is my first love. Since preschool, I have fancied myself a singer/songwriter. I believe it was destined. Music met me in the womb. My mom is a true music lover, as was her father, my late grandfather. From the stories I am told, music was a huge part of her pregnancy with me. It is like straight out of the womb, I was put on the scale, both literally and figuratively. Every note of every lullaby stuck with me, and I was writing songs by the time was two years old. My love for music only continued to grow through my family and community influences. My grandmother, an avid jazz lover, spent Texas simmers blasting Nancy Wilson and Lou Rawls Christmas albums as if it were mid-December and snow blanketed the ground. Snow I only saw in movies. I would dress up for my great grandmother and use her cane as a microphone while I fantasized of my sold out show one day. Church would give me gospel and the ability to sing lead every third Sunday. I can vividly remember riding around in the backseat of my mom’s car trying to pick every riff, run instrument note and beat. I hoped to one day write a song just as captivating as the ones I was digesting. I am a Music Performance major with a concentration in Jazz Studies. A large portion of why I am studying music performance but of "dying" genre is I believe a lot of music of today has lost the quality of live performance, which is a big part of why songs are timeless. There is an irrevocable connection made between the band, artist and the audience when a song is performed live. I plan on using my music to connect but also heal people sonically I am studying music performance as well as music therapy and learning the frequencies that do heal. Many people will not seek therapy or a doctor, but will listen to music to help them escape pain or to help them triumph. I want my music to provide healing that is not cognitive enough to be stigmatized yet effective.

Creativity, intellect, scholarship, and talent are just a few tenets that help to cultivate my artistry. I am attending Howard University to professionally develop my skills and experience the magic of being surrounded by so many otherworldly talents, both past and present. If iron truly sharpens iron, Howard was the only reasonable next step in my lifelong plan. The Chadwick Boseman College of fine arts offers a foundation and training ground that is unique and dominant. Howard is the only place I can see my ideas coming to life in the form that I have imagined them. I'm going to create timeless pieces—timeless moments and cultural markers that will be difficult to appropriate. Howard is the incubator of all things culturally elevated and I know that I'm learning from people who understand the music I desire to create. I want to be known for my gifts as a singer, a performer, creative director, producer, media personality and a songwriter. Eventually, I plan on using my music in many ways, to change, to heal, to teach, and to enlighten. At Howard, I stand on the shoulders of so many other artists and great talents that I follow and even idolize. Many of the people I greatly admire are products of Howard University, including both of my parents. Without music I would not be half the human I am and without singing I would not know my purpose in life. Music is my first love. Since preschool, I have fancied myself a singer/songwriter. I believe it was destined. Music met me in the womb. My mom is a true music lover, as was her father, my late grandfather. From the stories I am told, music was a huge part of her pregnancy with me. It is like straight out of the womb, I was put on the scale, both literally and figuratively. Every note of every lullaby stuck with me, and I was writing songs by the time was two years old. My love for music only continued to grow through my family and community influences. My grandmother, an avid jazz lover, spent Texas simmers blasting Nancy Wilson and Lou Rawls Christmas albums as if it were mid-December and snow blanketed the ground. Snow I only saw in movies. I would dress up for my great grandmother and use her cane as a microphone while I fantasized of my sold out show one day. Church would give me gospel and the ability to sing lead every third Sunday. I can vividly remember riding around in the backseat of my mom’s car trying to pick every riff, run instrument note and beat. I hoped to one day write a song just as captivating as the ones I was digesting. I am a Music Performance major with a concentration in Jazz Studies. A large portion of why I am studying music performance but of "dying" genre is I believe a lot of music of today has lost the quality of live performance, which is a big part of why songs are timeless. There is an irrevocable connection made between the band, artist and the audience when a song is performed live. I plan on using my music to connect but also heal people sonically I am studying music performance as well as music therapy and learning the frequencies that do heal. Many people will not seek therapy or a doctor, but will listen to music to help them escape pain or to help them triumph. I want my music to provide healing that is not cognitive enough to be stigmatized yet effective.

Creativity, intellect, scholarship, and talent are just a few tenets that help to cultivate my artistry. I am attending Howard University to professionally develop my skills and experience the magic of being surrounded by so many otherworldly talents, both past and present. If iron truly sharpens iron, Howard was the only reasonable next step in my lifelong plan. The Chadwick Boseman College of fine arts offers a foundation and training ground that is unique and dominant. Howard is the only place I can see my ideas coming to life in the form that I have imagined them. I'm going to create timeless pieces—timeless moments and cultural markers that will be difficult to appropriate. Howard is the incubator of all things culturally elevated and I know that I'm learning from people who understand the music I desire to create. I want to be known for my gifts as a singer, a performer, creative director, producer, media personality and a songwriter. Eventually, I plan on using my music in many ways, to change, to heal, to teach, and to enlighten. At Howard, I stand on the shoulders of so many other artists and great talents that I follow and even idolize. Many of the people I greatly admire are products of Howard University, including both of my parents. Without music I would not be half the human I am and without singing I would not know my purpose in life. Music is my first love. Since preschool, I have fancied myself a singer/songwriter. I believe it was destined. Music met me in the womb. My mom is a true music lover, as was her father, my late grandfather. From the stories I am told, music was a huge part of her pregnancy with me. It is like straight out of the womb, I was put on the scale, both literally and figuratively. Every note of every lullaby stuck with me, and I was writing songs by the time was two years old. My love for music only continued to grow through my family and community influences. My grandmother, an avid jazz lover, spent Texas simmers blasting Nancy Wilson and Lou Rawls Christmas albums as if it were mid-December and snow blanketed the ground. Snow I only saw in movies. I would dress up for my great grandmother and use her cane as a microphone while I fantasized of my sold out show one day. Church would give me gospel and the ability to sing lead every third Sunday. I can vividly remember riding around in the backseat of my mom’s car trying to pick every riff, run instrument note and beat. I hoped to one day write a song just as captivating as the ones I was digesting. I am a Music Performance major with a concentration in Jazz Studies. A large portion of why I am studying music performance but of "dying" genre is I believe a lot of music of today has lost the quality of live performance, which is a big part of why songs are timeless. There is an irrevocable connection made between the band, artist and the audience when a song is performed live. I plan on using my music to connect but also heal people sonically I am studying music performance as well as music therapy and learning the frequencies that do heal. Many people will not seek therapy or a doctor, but will listen to music to help them escape pain or to help them triumph. I want my music to provide healing that is not cognitive enough to be stigmatized yet effective.

Creativity, intellect, scholarship, and talent are just a few tenets that help to cultivate my artistry. I am attending Howard University to professionally develop my skills and experience the magic of being surrounded by so many otherworldly talents, both past and present. If iron truly sharpens iron, Howard was the only reasonable next step in my lifelong plan. The Chadwick Boseman College of fine arts offers a foundation and training ground that is unique and dominant. Howard is the only place I can see my ideas coming to life in the form that I have imagined them. I'm going to create timeless pieces—timeless moments and cultural markers that will be difficult to appropriate. Howard is the incubator of all things culturally elevated and I know that I'm learning from people who understand the music I desire to create. I want to be known for my musical gifts as a singer, a performer and a songwriter. Eventually, I plan on using my music in many ways, to change, to heal, to teach, and to enlighten. At Howard, I stand on the shoulders of so many other artists and great talents that I follow and even idolize. Many of the people I greatly admire are products of Howard University, including both of my parents. Without music I would not be half the human I am and without singing I would not know my purpose in life. Music is my first love. Since preschool, I have fancied myself a singer/songwriter. I believe it was destined. Music met me in the womb. My mom is a true music lover, as was her father, my late grandfather. From the stories I am told, music was a huge part of her pregnancy with me. It is like straight out of the womb, I was put on the scale, both literally and figuratively. Every note of every lullaby stuck with me, and I was writing songs by the time was two years old. My love for music only continued to grow through my family and community influences. My grandmother, an avid jazz lover, spent Texas simmers blasting Nancy Wilson and Lou Rawls Christmas albums as if it were mid-December and snow blanketed the ground. Snow I only saw in movies. I would dress up for my great grandmother and use her cane as a microphone while I fantasized of my sold out show one day. Church would give me gospel and the ability to sing lead every third Sunday. I can vividly remember riding around in the backseat of my mom’s car trying to pick every riff, run instrument note and beat. I hoped to one day write a song just as captivating as the ones I was digesting. I am a Music Performance major with a concentration in Jazz Studies. A large portion of why I am studying music performance but of "dying" genre is I believe a lot of music of today has lost the quality of live performance, which is a big part of why songs are timeless. There is an irrevocable connection made between the band, artist and the audience when a song is performed live. I plan on using my music to connect but also heal people sonically I am studying music performance as well as music therapy and learning the frequencies that do heal. Many people will not seek therapy or a doctor, but will listen to music to help them escape pain or to help them triumph. I want my music to provide healing that is not cognitive enough to be stigmatized yet effective.

Without music I would not be half the human I am and without singing I would not know my purpose in life. Music is my first love. Since preschool, I have fancied myself a singer/songwriter. I believe it was destined. Music met me in the womb. My mom is a true music lover, as was her father, my late grandfather. From the stories I am told, music was a huge part of her pregnancy with me. It is like straight out of the womb, I was put on the scale, both literally and figuratively. Every note of every lullaby stuck with me, and I was writing songs by the time was two years old. My love for music only continued to grow through my family and community influences. My grandmother, an avid jazz lover, spent Texas simmers blasting Nancy Wilson and Lou Rawls Christmas albums as if it were mid-December and snow blanketed the ground. Snow I only saw in movies. I would dress up for my great grandmother and use her cane as a microphone while I fantasized of my sold out show one day. I hoped to one day write a song just as captivating as the ones I was digesting. I decided to continue on to an institution of higher learning where I can fine tune the skills I have socially, scholastically, and artistically; to become the artist I am destined to be. A large portion of why I am studying music performance but of "dying" genre is I believe a lot of music of today has lost the quality of live performance, which is a big part of why songs are timeless. There is an irrevocable connection made between the band, artist and the audience when a song is performed live. I plan on using my music to connect but also heal people sonically I am studying music performance as well as music therapy and learning the frequencies that do heal. Many people will not seek therapy or a doctor, but will listen to music to help them escape pain or to help them triumph. Healing that is not cognitive enough to be stigmatized but most certainly effective Overall, I plan on connection my love and passion for music, to my love and passion for peace and world healing which I feel is even more relevant and important now than it has been in a while.

Music and theatre are the spaces that have allowed me to form bonds in places I never saw a common thread or likeness. I have learned to express myself fully and to open in ways that help me be more self-aware and even more free. I learn about others through music and expression, and I can push boundaries of understanding and unite with people who at one time seemed impossible and distant. If I could, I would experience everything through the art of music. It is so magical. Music as well as musical theater have shown me that my potential is infinite. Without music I would not be half the human I am and without singing I would not know my purpose in life. Music is my first love. Since preschool, I have fancied myself a singer/songwriter. I believe it was destined. Music met me in the womb. My mom is a true music lover, as was her father, my late grandfather. From the stories I am told, music was a huge part of her pregnancy with me. It is like straight out of the womb, I was put on the scale, both literally and figuratively. Every note of every lullaby stuck with me, and I was writing songs by the time was two years old. My love for music only continued to grow through my family and community influences. My grandmother, an avid jazz lover, spent Texas simmers blasting Nancy Wilson and Lou Rawls Christmas albums as if it were mid-December and snow blanketed the ground. Snow I only saw in movies. I would dress up for my great grandmother and use her cane as a microphone while I fantasized of my sold out show one day. Church would give me gospel and the ability to sing lead every third Sunday. My dad loved southern rap like OutKast which grew our bond through a mutual love for Andre 3000. He still cannot resist turning up the volume and asking me, “What you know about this?” when “Liberation” comes on and we’re rapping in tandem. I can vividly remember riding around in the backseat of my mom’s car trying to pick every riff, run instrument note and beat. I hoped to one day write a song just as captivating as the ones I was digesting. When put in spaces with other creatives, everyone's brain conceptualizes things differently. Putting those concepts and ideas together to formulate something, or learning things from others craft that you can implement into your own artistry is the beauty of collaboration. Since high school I have begun to explore my creativity in new spaces like fashion and photography as a creative director. This passed February I directed a fashion showcase at my university called IMMORTALE, where I had to collaborate and lead 7 different departments. These departments included hair, photography & video, makeup, graphic design, models, styling and creative direction. The beauty of this showcase is I had the vision and a concept of how I wanted it to be executed, but the results come from the collaboration and everyone being an expert at what they do. Every department has a certain insight that they offer me because it's they're expertise. And through their suggestions and additions, my concept fully blossomed into something beautiful. Here is a link to some footage from the showcase: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGOrLzOR2B_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MWEwZWxpZzVvNzZvdw==

Without music I would not be half the human I am and without singing I would not know my purpose in life. Music is my first love. Since preschool, I have fancied myself a singer/songwriter. I believe it was destined. Music met me in the womb. My mom is a true music lover, as was her father, my late grandfather. From the stories I am told, music was a huge part of her pregnancy with me. It is like straight out of the womb, I was put on the scale, both literally and figuratively. Every note of every lullaby stuck with me, and I was writing songs by the time was two years old. My love for music only continued to grow through my family and community influences. My grandmother, an avid jazz lover, spent Texas simmers blasting Nancy Wilson and Lou Rawls Christmas albums as if it were mid-December and snow blanketed the ground. Snow I only saw in movies. I would dress up for my great grandmother and use her cane as a microphone while I fantasized of my sold out show one day. Church would give me gospel and the ability to sing lead every third Sunday. My dad loved southern rap like OutKast which grew our bond through a mutual love for Andre 3000. He still cannot resist turning up the volume and asking me, “What you know about this?” when “Liberation” comes on and we’re rapping in tandem. I can vividly remember riding around in the backseat of my mom’s car trying to pick every riff, run instrument note and beat. I hoped to one day write a song just as captivating as the ones I was digesting. I decided to continue on to an institution of higher learning where I can fine tune the skills I have socially, scholastically, and artistically; to become the artist I am destined to be. I am currently a Music Performance major with a concentration in Jazz Studies at the illustrious Howard University, continuing my interest in the art of I strive to be a professional in my crafts and I have vowed that I will never doubt but diligently pursue my dreams with an open heart and mind. A large portion of why I am studying music performance but of "dying" genre is I believe a lot of music of today has lost the quality of live performance, which is a big part of why songs are timeless. There is an irrevocable connection made between the band, artist and the audience when a song is performed live. I plan on using my music to connect but also heal people sonically I am studying music performance as well as music therapy and learning the frequencies that do heal. Many people will not seek therapy or a doctor, but will listen to music to help them escape pain or to help them triumph. I want my music to have the same affect and use it has always had on people, while also allowing them healing that may not be cognitive but will most definitely be effective. Overall I plan on connection my love and passion for music, to my love and passion for peace and world healing which I feel is even more relevant and important now than it has been in a while.

Without music I would not be half the human I am and without singing I would not know my purpose in life. Music is my first love. Since preschool, I have fancied myself a singer/songwriter. I believe it was destined. Music met me in the womb. My mom is a true music lover, as was her father, my late grandfather. From the stories I am told, music was a huge part of her pregnancy with me. It is like straight out of the womb, I was put on the scale, both literally and figuratively. Every note of every lullaby stuck with me, and I was writing songs by the time was two years old. My love for music only continued to grow through my family and community influences. My grandmother, an avid jazz lover, spent Texas simmers blasting Nancy Wilson and Lou Rawls Christmas albums as if it were mid-December and snow blanketed the ground. Snow I only saw in movies. I would dress up for my great grandmother and use her cane as a microphone while I fantasized of my sold out show one day. Church would give me gospel and the ability to sing lead every third Sunday. My dad loved southern rap like OutKast which grew our bond through a mutual love for Andre 3000. He still cannot resist turning up the volume and asking me, “What you know about this?” when “Liberation” comes on and we’re rapping in tandem. I can vividly remember riding around in the backseat of my mom’s car trying to pick every riff, run instrument note and beat. I hoped to one day write a song just as captivating as the ones I was digesting. I decided to continue on to an institution of higher learning where I can fine tune the skills I have socially, scholastically, and artistically; to become the artist I am destined to be. I am currently a Music Performance major with a concentration in Jazz Studies at the illustrious Howard University, continuing my interest in the art of I strive to be a professional in my crafts and I have vowed that I will never doubt but diligently pursue my dreams with an open heart and mind. A large portion of why I am studying music performance but of "dying" genre is I believe a lot of music of today has lost the quality of live performance, which is a big part of why songs are timeless. There is an irrevocable connection made between the band, artist and the audience when a song is performed live. I plan on using my music to connect but also heal people sonically I am studying music performance as well as music therapy and learning the frequencies that do heal. Many people will not seek therapy or a doctor, but will listen to music to help them escape pain or to help them triumph. I want my music to have the same affect and use it has always had on people, while also allowing them healing that may not be cognitive but will most definitely be effective. Overall I plan on connection my love and passion for music, to my love and passion for peace and world healing which I feel is even more relevant and important now than it has been in a while.

Without music, I would not be half the human I am and without singing I would not know my purpose in life. Music is my first love. Since preschool, I have fancied myself a singer/songwriter. I believe it was destined. Music met me in the womb. My mom is a true music lover, as was her father, my late grandfather. From the stories I am told, music was a huge part of her pregnancy with me. It is like straight out of the womb, I was put on the scale, both literally and figuratively. Every note of every lullaby stuck with me, and I was writing songs by the time was two years old. My love for music only continued to grow through my family and community influences. My grandmother, an avid jazz lover, spent Texas simmers blasting Nancy Wilson and Lou Rawls Christmas albums as if it were mid-December and snow blanketed the ground. Snow I only saw in movies. I would dress up for my great-grandmother and use her cane as a microphone while I fantasized about my sold-out show one day. The church would give me the gospel and the ability to sing lead every third Sunday. My dad loved southern rap like OutKast which grew our bond through a mutual love for Andre 3000. I can vividly remember riding around in the backseat of my mom’s car trying to pick every riff, run instrument note and beat. I hoped to one day write a song just as captivating as the ones I was digesting. I love Nancy Wilson, Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, The Cranberries, Edie Brickell, Paramore, Sade, Sondheim and so many more Music and theatre are the spaces that have allowed me to form bonds in places I never saw a common thread or likeness. Creativity, intellect, scholarship, and talent are just a few tenets that help to cultivate my artistry. I am attending Howard University to professionally develop my skills studying Vocal Music Performance with a Jazz Concetration and experience the magic of being surrounded by so many otherworldly talents, both past and present. If iron truly sharpens iron, Howard is the only reasonable next step in my lifelong plan: to sing, dance, and act, and ultimately become an EGOT. The Chadwick Boseman School of Fine Arts offers a foundation and training ground that is unique and dominant. I believe possibilities for art are limitless. Balance in our world would be everyone personified as themselves, instead of trying to label everything into a box or an “aesthetic”. To me the most beautiful decade is the seventies, they cracked the code. The seventies are a pure representation of how music and fashion go hand in hand with disco. The seventies also were a great time of unity, excellence, and innovation because everyone was chasing some sense of individuality. In my opinion the seventies was a maximalist. I’m in love with maximalism in every way. I believe that in life you should maximize on your good traits. Music is my outlet. Music is my gift to the world. My superpower. The world gets so caught up, especially with social media in trends and invisible standards. With my music I'm bringing back freedom and the spirituality of life. I want to create a sound that starts a spiritual revolution across demographics. I want to use my music as a breath of fresh air. I want people to feel the urge to go and experience life. To inspire people to be free thinkers and seekers of their own identity. I aspire to create timeless pieces, building my legacy.

Without music, I would not be half the human I am and without singing I would not know my purpose in life. Music is my first love. Since preschool, I have fancied myself a singer/songwriter. I believe it was destined. Music met me in the womb. My mom is a true music lover, as was her father, my late grandfather. From the stories I am told, music was a huge part of her pregnancy with me. It is like straight out of the womb, I was put on the scale, both literally and figuratively. Every note of every lullaby stuck with me, and I was writing songs by the time was two years old. My love for music only continued to grow through my family and community influences. My grandmother, an avid jazz lover, spent Texas simmers blasting Nancy Wilson and Lou Rawls Christmas albums as if it were mid-December. I would dress up for my great-grandmother and use her cane as a microphone while I fantasized about my sold-out show one day. The church would give me the gospel and the ability to sing lead every third Sunday. My dad loved southern rap like OutKast which grew our bond through a mutual love for Andre 3000. I can vividly remember riding around in the backseat of my mom’s car trying to pick every riff, run instrument note and beat. I hoped to one day write a song just as captivating as the ones I was digesting. I love Nancy Wilson, Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, The Cranberries, Edie Brickell, Paramore, Sade, Sondheim and so many more Music and theatre are the spaces that have allowed me to form bonds in places I never saw a common thread or likeness. Creativity, intellect, scholarship, and talent are just a few tenets that help to cultivate my artistry. I am attending Howard University to professionally develop my skills studying Vocal Music Performance with a Jazz Concetration and experience the magic of being surrounded by so many otherworldly talents, both past and present. If iron truly sharpens iron, Howard is the only reasonable next step in my lifelong plan: to sing, dance, and act, and ultimately become an EGOT. The Chadwick Boseman School of Fine Arts offers a foundation and training ground that is unique and dominant. I believe possibilities for art are limitless. Balance in our world would be everyone personified as themselves, instead of trying to label everything into a box or an “aesthetic”. To me the most beautiful decade is the seventies, they cracked the code. The seventies are a pure representation of how music and fashion go hand in hand with disco. The seventies also were a great time of unity, excellence, and innovation because everyone was chasing some sense of individuality. In my opinion the seventies was a maximalist. I’m in love with maximalism. I believe that in life you should maximize on your good traits. Music is my outlet. Music is my gift to the world. My superpower. The world gets so caught up, especially with social media in trends and invisible standards. With my music I'm bringing back freedom and the spirituality of life. I want to create a sound that starts a spiritual revolution across demographics. I want to use my music as a breath of fresh air. I want people to feel the urge to go and experience life. To inspire people to be free thinkers and seekers of their own identity. I aspire to create timeless pieces, building my legacy. Continuing my ancestors legacy, and this scholarship will help me pay for that.

Without music, I would not be half the human I am and without singing I would not know my purpose in life. Music is my first love. Since preschool, I have fancied myself a singer/songwriter. I believe it was destined. Music met me in the womb. My mom is a true music lover, as was her father, my late grandfather. From the stories I am told, music was a huge part of her pregnancy with me. It is like straight out of the womb, I was put on the scale, both literally and figuratively. Every note of every lullaby stuck with me, and I was writing songs by the time was two years old. My love for music only continued to grow through my family and community influences. My grandmother, an avid jazz lover, spent Texas simmers blasting Nancy Wilson and Lou Rawls Christmas albums as if it were mid-December. I would dress up for my great-grandmother and use her cane as a microphone while I fantasized about my sold-out show one day. The church would give me the gospel and the ability to sing lead every third Sunday. My dad loved southern rap like OutKast which grew our bond through a mutual love for Andre 3000. I can vividly remember riding around in the backseat of my mom’s car trying to pick every riff, run instrument note and beat. I hoped to one day write a song just as captivating as the ones I was digesting. I love Nancy Wilson, Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, The Cranberries, Edie Brickell, Paramore, Sade, Sondheim and so many more Music and theatre are the spaces that have allowed me to form bonds in places I never saw a common thread or likeness. Creativity, intellect, scholarship, and talent are just a few tenets that help to cultivate my artistry. I am attending Howard University to professionally develop my skills studying Vocal Music Performance with a Jazz Concetration and experience the magic of being surrounded by so many otherworldly talents, both past and present. If iron truly sharpens iron, Howard is the only reasonable next step in my lifelong plan: to sing, dance, and act, and ultimately become an EGOT. The Chadwick Boseman School of Fine Arts offers a foundation and training ground that is unique and dominant. I believe possibilities for art are limitless. Balance in our world would be everyone personified as themselves, instead of trying to label everything into a box or an “aesthetic”. To me the most beautiful decade is the seventies, they cracked the code. The seventies are a pure representation of how music and fashion go hand in hand with disco. The seventies also were a great time of unity, excellence, and innovation because everyone was chasing some sense of individuality. In my opinion the seventies was a maximalist. I’m in love with maximalism. I believe that in life you should maximize on your good traits. Music is my outlet. Music is my gift to the world. My superpower. The world gets so caught up, especially with social media in trends and invisible standards. With my music I'm bringing back freedom and the spirituality of life. I want to create a sound that starts a spiritual revolution across demographics. I want to use my music as a breath of fresh air. I want people to feel the urge to go and experience life. To inspire people to be free thinkers and seekers of their own identity. I aspire to create timeless pieces, building my legacy. Continuing my ancestors legacy, and this scholarship will help me pay for that.

Without music, I would not be half the human I am and without singing I would not know my purpose in life. Music is my first love. Since preschool, I have fancied myself a singer/songwriter. I believe it was destined. Music met me in the womb. My mom is a true music lover, as was her father, my late grandfather. From the stories I am told, music was a huge part of her pregnancy with me. It is like straight out of the womb, I was put on the scale, both literally and figuratively. Every note of every lullaby stuck with me, and I was writing songs by the time was two years old. My love for music only continued to grow through my family and community influences. My grandmother, an avid jazz lover, spent Texas simmers blasting Nancy Wilson and Lou Rawls Christmas albums as if it were mid-December and snow blanketed the ground. Snow I only saw in movies. I would dress up for my great-grandmother and use her cane as a microphone while I fantasized about my sold-out show one day. The church would give me the gospel and the ability to sing lead every third Sunday. My dad loved southern rap like OutKast which grew our bond through a mutual love for Andre 3000. I can vividly remember riding around in the backseat of my mom’s car trying to pick every riff, run instrument note and beat. I hoped to one day write a song just as captivating as the ones I was digesting. I love Nancy Wilson, Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, The Cranberries, Edie Brickell, Paramore, Sade, Sondheim and so many more Music and theatre are the spaces that have allowed me to form bonds in places I never saw a common thread or likeness. Creativity, intellect, scholarship, and talent are just a few tenets that help to cultivate my artistry. I am attending Howard University to professionally develop my skills studying Vocal Music Performance with a Jazz Concetration and experience the magic of being surrounded by so many otherworldly talents, both past and present. If iron truly sharpens iron, Howard is the only reasonable next step in my lifelong plan: to sing, dance, and act, and ultimately become an EGOT. The Chadwick Boseman School of Fine Arts offers a foundation and training ground that is unique and dominant. I believe possibilities for art are limitless. Balance in our world would be everyone personified as themselves, instead of trying to label everything into a box or an “aesthetic”. To me the most beautiful decade is the seventies, they cracked the code. The seventies are a pure representation of how music and fashion go hand in hand with disco. The seventies also were a great time of unity, excellence, and innovation because everyone was chasing some sense of individuality. In my opinion the seventies was a maximalist. I’m in love with maximalism in every way. I believe that in life you should maximize on your good traits. Music is my outlet. Music is my gift to the world. My superpower. The world gets so caught up, especially with social media in trends and invisible standards. With my music I'm bringing back freedom and the spirituality of life. I want to create a sound that starts a spiritual revolution across demographics. I want to use my music as a breath of fresh air. I want people to feel the urge to go and experience life. To inspire people to be free thinkers and seekers of their own identity. Especially for black & gay creatives who were traditionally boxed in or feel like they must fall into a stereotype. The seventies provide a spotlight to everyone who deserved one. In a world now, where everything seems pseudo, I want to encourage TRUE authenticity for any individual. Showcase the many voices and attributes of those communities. And their historical value, a long with continued value. Not just the stereotypical struggle story or pain story because we are so much more than that. I aspire to create timeless pieces, building my legacy and continuing the legacy of my ancestors.

Without music, I would not be half the human I am and without singing I would not know my purpose in life. Music is my first love. Since preschool, I have fancied myself a singer/songwriter. I believe it was destined. Music met me in the womb. My mom is a true music lover, as was her father, my late grandfather. From the stories I am told, music was a huge part of her pregnancy with me. It is like straight out of the womb, I was put on the scale, both literally and figuratively. Every note of every lullaby stuck with me, and I was writing songs by the time was two years old. My love for music only continued to grow through my family and community influences. My grandmother, an avid jazz lover, spent Texas simmers blasting Nancy Wilson and Lou Rawls Christmas albums as if it were mid-December and snow blanketed the ground. Snow I only saw in movies. I would dress up for my great-grandmother and use her cane as a microphone while I fantasized about my sold-out show one day. The church would give me the gospel and the ability to sing lead every third Sunday. My dad loved southern rap like OutKast which grew our bond through a mutual love for Andre 3000. I can vividly remember riding around in the backseat of my mom’s car trying to pick every riff, run instrument note and beat. I hoped to one day write a song just as captivating as the ones I was digesting. I love Nancy Wilson, Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, The Cranberries, Edie Brickell, Paramore, Sade, Sondheim and so many more Music and theatre are the spaces that have allowed me to form bonds in places I never saw a common thread or likeness. Creativity, intellect, scholarship, and talent are just a few tenets that help to cultivate my artistry. I am attending Howard University to professionally develop my skills studying Vocal Music Performance with a Jazz Concetration and experience the magic of being surrounded by so many otherworldly talents, both past and present. If iron truly sharpens iron, Howard is the only reasonable next step in my lifelong plan: to sing, dance, and act, and ultimately become an EGOT. The Chadwick Boseman School of Fine Arts offers a foundation and training ground that is unique and dominant. I believe possibilities for art are limitless. Balance in our world would be everyone personified as themselves, instead of trying to label everything into a box or an “aesthetic”. To me the most beautiful decade is the seventies, they cracked the code. The seventies are a pure representation of how music and fashion go hand in hand with disco. The seventies also were a great time of unity, excellence, and innovation because everyone was chasing some sense of individuality. In my opinion the seventies was a maximalist. I’m in love with maximalism in every way. I believe that in life you should maximize on your good traits. Music is my outlet. Music is my gift to the world. My superpower. The world gets so caught up, especially with social media in trends and invisible standards. With my music I'm bringing back freedom and the spirituality of life. I want to create a sound that starts a spiritual revolution across demographics. I want to use my music as a breath of fresh air. I want people to feel the urge to go and experience life. To inspire people to be free thinkers and seekers of their own identity. I aspire to create timeless pieces, building my legacy.

Without music, I would not be half the human I am and without singing I would not know my purpose in life. Music is my first love. Since preschool, I have fancied myself a singer/songwriter. I believe it was destined. Music met me in the womb. My mom is a true music lover, as was her father, my late grandfather. From the stories I am told, music was a huge part of her pregnancy with me. It is like straight out of the womb, I was put on the scale, both literally and figuratively. Every note of every lullaby stuck with me, and I was writing songs by the time was two years old. My love for music only continued to grow through my family and community influences. My grandmother, an avid jazz lover, spent Texas simmers blasting Nancy Wilson and Lou Rawls Christmas albums as if it were mid-December and snow blanketed the ground. Snow I only saw in movies. I would dress up for my great-grandmother and use her cane as a microphone while I fantasized about my sold-out show one day. The church would give me the gospel and the ability to sing lead every third Sunday. My dad loved southern rap like OutKast which grew our bond through a mutual love for Andre 3000. I can vividly remember riding around in the backseat of my mom’s car trying to pick every riff, run instrument note and beat. I hoped to one day write a song just as captivating as the ones I was digesting. I love Nancy Wilson, Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, The Cranberries, Edie Brickell, Paramore, Sade, Sondheim and so many more Music and theatre are the spaces that have allowed me to form bonds in places I never saw a common thread or likeness. Creativity, intellect, scholarship, and talent are just a few tenets that help to cultivate my artistry. I am attending Howard University to professionally develop my skills studying Vocal Music Performance with a Jazz Concetration and experience the magic of being surrounded by so many otherworldly talents, both past and present. If iron truly sharpens iron, Howard is the only reasonable next step in my lifelong plan: to sing, dance, and act, and ultimately become an EGOT. The Chadwick Boseman School of Fine Arts offers a foundation and training ground that is unique and dominant. I believe possibilities for art are limitless. Balance in our world would be everyone personified as themselves, instead of trying to label everything into a box or an “aesthetic”. To me the most beautiful decade is the seventies, they cracked the code. The seventies are a pure representation of how music and fashion go hand in hand with disco. The seventies also were a great time of unity, excellence, and innovation because everyone was chasing some sense of individuality. In my opinion the seventies was a maximalist. I’m in love with maximalism in every way. I believe that in life you should maximize on your good traits. Music is my outlet. Music is my gift to the world. My superpower. The world gets so caught up, especially with social media in trends and invisible standards. With my music I'm bringing back freedom and the spirituality of life. I want to create a sound that starts a spiritual revolution across demographics. I want to use my music as a breath of fresh air. I want people to feel the urge to go and experience life. To inspire people to be free thinkers and seekers of their own identity. I aspire to create timeless pieces, building my legacy.

Without music, I would not be half the human I am and without singing I would not know my purpose in life. Music is my first love. Since preschool, I have fancied myself a singer/songwriter. I believe it was destined. Music met me in the womb. My mom is a true music lover, as was her father, my late grandfather. From the stories I am told, music was a huge part of her pregnancy with me. It is like straight out of the womb, I was put on the scale, both literally and figuratively. Every note of every lullaby stuck with me, and I was writing songs by the time was two years old. My love for music only continued to grow through my family and community influences. My grandmother, an avid jazz lover, spent Texas simmers blasting Nancy Wilson and Lou Rawls Christmas albums as if it were mid-December and snow blanketed the ground. Snow I only saw in movies. I would dress up for my great-grandmother and use her cane as a microphone while I fantasized about my sold-out show one day. The church would give me the gospel and the ability to sing lead every third Sunday. My dad loved southern rap like OutKast which grew our bond through a mutual love for Andre 3000. I can vividly remember riding around in the backseat of my mom’s car trying to pick every riff, run instrument note and beat. I hoped to one day write a song just as captivating as the ones I was digesting. I love Nancy Wilson, Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, The Cranberries, Edie Brickell, Paramore, Sade, Sondheim and so many more Music and theatre are the spaces that have allowed me to form bonds in places I never saw a common thread or likeness. Creativity, intellect, scholarship, and talent are just a few tenets that help to cultivate my artistry. I am attending Howard University to professionally develop my skills studying Vocal Music Performance with a Jazz Concetration and experience the magic of being surrounded by so many otherworldly talents, both past and present. If iron truly sharpens iron, Howard is the only reasonable next step in my lifelong plan: to sing, dance, and act, and ultimately become an EGOT. The Chadwick Boseman School of Fine Arts offers a foundation and training ground that is unique and dominant. I believe possibilities for art are limitless. Balance in our world would be everyone personified as themselves, instead of trying to label everything into a box or an “aesthetic”. To me the most beautiful decade is the seventies, they cracked the code. The seventies are a pure representation of how music and fashion go hand in hand with disco. The seventies also were a great time of unity, excellence, and innovation because everyone was chasing some sense of individuality. In my opinion the seventies was a maximalist. I’m in love with maximalism in every way. I believe that in life you should maximize on your good traits. Music is my outlet. Music is my gift to the world. My superpower. The world gets so caught up, especially with social media in trends and invisible standards. With my music I'm bringing back freedom and the spirituality of life. I want to create a sound that starts a spiritual revolution across demographics. I want to use my music as a breath of fresh air. I want people to feel the urge to go and experience life. To inspire people to be free thinkers and seekers of their own identity. I aspire to create timeless pieces, building my legacy.

Without music, I would not be half the human I am and without singing I would not know my purpose in life. Music is my first love. Since preschool, I have fancied myself a singer/songwriter. I believe it was destined. Music met me in the womb. My mom is a true music lover, as was her father, my late grandfather. From the stories I am told, music was a huge part of her pregnancy with me. It is like straight out of the womb, I was put on the scale, both literally and figuratively. Every note of every lullaby stuck with me, and I was writing songs by the time was two years old. My love for music only continued to grow through my family and community influences. My grandmother, an avid jazz lover, spent Texas simmers blasting Nancy Wilson and Lou Rawls Christmas albums as if it were mid-December and snow blanketed the ground. Snow I only saw in movies. I would dress up for my great-grandmother and use her cane as a microphone while I fantasized about my sold-out show one day. The church would give me the gospel and the ability to sing lead every third Sunday. My dad loved southern rap like OutKast which grew our bond through a mutual love for Andre 3000. I can vividly remember riding around in the backseat of my mom’s car trying to pick every riff, run instrument note and beat. I hoped to one day write a song just as captivating as the ones I was digesting. I love Nancy Wilson, Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, The Cranberries, Edie Brickell, Paramore, Sade, Sondheim and so many more Music and theatre are the spaces that have allowed me to form bonds in places I never saw a common thread or likeness. Creativity, intellect, scholarship, and talent are just a few tenets that help to cultivate my artistry. I am attending Howard University to professionally develop my skills studying Vocal Music Performance with a Jazz Concetration and experience the magic of being surrounded by so many otherworldly talents, both past and present. If iron truly sharpens iron, Howard is the only reasonable next step in my lifelong plan: to sing, dance, and act, and ultimately become an EGOT. The Chadwick Boseman School of Fine Arts offers a foundation and training ground that is unique and dominant. I believe possibilities for art are limitless. Balance in our world would be everyone personified as themselves, instead of trying to label everything into a box or an “aesthetic”. To me the most beautiful decade is the seventies, they cracked the code. The seventies are a pure representation of how music and fashion go hand in hand with disco. The seventies also were a great time of unity, excellence, and innovation because everyone was chasing some sense of individuality. In my opinion the seventies was a maximalist. I’m in love with maximalism in every way. I believe that in life you should maximize on your good traits. Music is my outlet. Music is my gift to the world. My superpower. The world gets so caught up, especially with social media in trends and invisible standards. With my music I'm bringing back freedom and the spirituality of life. I want to create a sound that starts a spiritual revolution across demographics. I want to use my music as a breath of fresh air. I want people to feel the urge to go and experience life. To inspire people to be free thinkers and seekers of their own identity. I aspire to create timeless pieces, building my legacy. My dream it to be a household name but the first step in that dream is releasing my first album. Something I have dreamed of for so long. I have written hundreds of songs over the years but I never wanted to be a child artist. Now that I am eighteen I plan on building my career. While I am at Howard I will not only be studying music but releasing music, getting critiques on my music, and performing my music. I already have a name for my album and I already know what story I want it to tell. Below is the link to one of my songs I've written: https://youtu.be/b1jfQ7PL-w8

Without music, I would not be half the human I am and without singing I would not know my purpose in life. Music is my first love. Since preschool, I have fancied myself a singer/songwriter. I believe it was destined. Music met me in the womb. My mom is a true music lover, as was her father, my late grandfather. From the stories I am told, music was a huge part of her pregnancy with me. It is like straight out of the womb, I was put on the scale, both literally and figuratively. Every note of every lullaby stuck with me, and I was writing songs by the time was two years old. My love for music only continued to grow through my family and community influences. My grandmother, an avid jazz lover, spent Texas simmers blasting Nancy Wilson and Lou Rawls Christmas albums as if it were mid-December. I would dress up for my great-grandmother and use her cane as a microphone while I fantasized about my sold-out show one day. The church would give me the gospel and the ability to sing lead every third Sunday. My dad loved southern rap like OutKast which grew our bond through a mutual love for Andre 3000. I can vividly remember riding around in the backseat of my mom’s car trying to pick every riff, run instrument note and beat. I hoped to one day write a song just as captivating as the ones I was digesting. I love Nancy Wilson, Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, The Cranberries, Edie Brickell, Paramore, Sade, Sondheim and so many more Music and theatre are the spaces that have allowed me to form bonds in places I never saw a common thread or likeness. Creativity, intellect, scholarship, and talent are just a few tenets that help to cultivate my artistry. I am attending Howard University to professionally develop my skills studying Vocal Music Performance with a Jazz Concetration and experience the magic of being surrounded by so many otherworldly talents, both past and present. If iron truly sharpens iron, Howard is the only reasonable next step in my lifelong plan: to sing, dance, and act, and ultimately become an EGOT. The Chadwick Boseman School of Fine Arts offers a foundation and training ground that is unique and dominant. I believe possibilities for art are limitless. Balance in our world would be everyone personified as themselves, instead of trying to label everything into a box or an “aesthetic”. To me the most beautiful decade is the seventies, they cracked the code. The seventies are a pure representation of how music and fashion go hand in hand with disco. The seventies also were a great time of unity, excellence, and innovation because everyone was chasing some sense of individuality. In my opinion the seventies was a maximalist. I’m in love with maximalism in every way. I believe that in life you should maximize on your good traits. Music is my outlet. Music is my gift to the world. My superpower. The world gets so caught up, especially with social media in trends and invisible standards. With my music I'm bringing back freedom and the spirituality of life. I want to create a sound that starts a spiritual revolution across demographics. I want to use my music as a breath of fresh air. I want people to feel the urge to go and experience life. To inspire people to be free thinkers and seekers of their own identity. I aspire to create timeless pieces, building my legacy. My Youtube is Haili Zion!

Without music, I would not be half the human I am and without singing I would not know my purpose in life. Music is my first love. Since preschool, I have fancied myself a singer/songwriter. I believe it was destined. Music met me in the womb. My mom is a true music lover, as was her father, my late grandfather. From the stories I am told, music was a huge part of her pregnancy with me. It is like straight out of the womb, I was put on the scale, both literally and figuratively. Every note of every lullaby stuck with me, and I was writing songs by the time was two years old. My love for music only continued to grow through my family and community influences. My grandmother, an avid jazz lover, spent Texas simmers blasting Nancy Wilson and Lou Rawls Christmas albums as if it were mid-December and snow blanketed the ground. Snow I only saw in movies. I would dress up for my great-grandmother and use her cane as a microphone while I fantasized about my sold-out show one day. The church would give me the gospel and the ability to sing lead every third Sunday. My dad loved southern rap like OutKast which grew our bond through a mutual love for Andre 3000. I can vividly remember riding around in the backseat of my mom’s car trying to pick every riff, run instrument note and beat. I hoped to one day write a song just as captivating as the ones I was digesting. I love Nancy Wilson, Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, The Cranberries, Edie Brickell, Paramore, Sade, Sondheim and so many more Music and theatre are the spaces that have allowed me to form bonds in places I never saw a common thread or likeness. Creativity, intellect, scholarship, and talent are just a few tenets that help to cultivate my artistry. I am attending Howard University to professionally develop my skills studying Vocal Music Performance with a Jazz Concetration and experience the magic of being surrounded by so many otherworldly talents, both past and present. If iron truly sharpens iron, Howard is the only reasonable next step in my lifelong plan: to sing, dance, and act, and ultimately become an EGOT. The Chadwick Boseman School of Fine Arts offers a foundation and training ground that is unique and dominant. I believe possibilities for art are limitless. Balance in our world would be everyone personified as themselves, instead of trying to label everything into a box or an “aesthetic”. To me the most beautiful decade is the seventies, they cracked the code. The seventies are a pure representation of how music and fashion go hand in hand with disco. The seventies also were a great time of unity, excellence, and innovation because everyone was chasing some sense of individuality. In my opinion the seventies was a maximalist. I’m in love with maximalism in every way. I believe that in life you should maximize on your good traits. Music is my outlet. Music is my gift to the world. My superpower. The world gets so caught up, especially with social media in trends and invisible standards. With my music I'm bringing back freedom and the spirituality of life. I want to create a sound that starts a spiritual revolution across demographics. I want to use my music as a breath of fresh air. I want people to feel the urge to go and experience life. To inspire people to be free thinkers and seekers of their own identity. I aspire to create timeless pieces, building my legacy.

Without music, I would not be half the human I am and without singing I would not know my purpose in life. Music is my first love. Since preschool, I have fancied myself a singer/songwriter. I believe it was destined. Music met me in the womb. My mom is a true music lover, as was her father, my late grandfather. From the stories I am told, music was a huge part of her pregnancy with me. It is like straight out of the womb, I was put on the scale, both literally and figuratively. Every note of every lullaby stuck with me, and I was writing songs by the time was two years old. My love for music only continued to grow through my family and community influences. My grandmother, an avid jazz lover, spent Texas simmers blasting Nancy Wilson and Lou Rawls Christmas albums as if it were mid-December and snow blanketed the ground. Snow I only saw in movies. I would dress up for my great-grandmother and use her cane as a microphone while I fantasized about my sold-out show one day. The church would give me the gospel and the ability to sing lead every third Sunday. My dad loved southern rap like OutKast which grew our bond through a mutual love for Andre 3000. I can vividly remember riding around in the backseat of my mom’s car trying to pick every riff, run instrument note and beat. I hoped to one day write a song just as captivating as the ones I was digesting. I love Nancy Wilson, Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, The Cranberries, Edie Brickell, Paramore, Sade, Sondheim and so many more Music and theatre are the spaces that have allowed me to form bonds in places I never saw a common thread or likeness. Creativity, intellect, scholarship, and talent are just a few tenets that help to cultivate my artistry. I am attending Howard University to professionally develop my skills studying Vocal Music Performance with a Jazz Concetration and experience the magic of being surrounded by so many otherworldly talents, both past and present. If iron truly sharpens iron, Howard is the only reasonable next step in my lifelong plan: to sing, dance, and act, and ultimately become an EGOT. The Chadwick Boseman School of Fine Arts offers a foundation and training ground that is unique and dominant. I believe possibilities for art are limitless. Balance in our world would be everyone personified as themselves, instead of trying to label everything into a box or an “aesthetic”. To me the most beautiful decade is the seventies, they cracked the code. The seventies are a pure representation of how music and fashion go hand in hand with disco. The seventies also were a great time of unity, excellence, and innovation because everyone was chasing some sense of individuality. In my opinion the seventies was a maximalist. I’m in love with maximalism in every way. I believe that in life you should maximize on your good traits. Music is my outlet. Music is my gift to the world. My superpower. The world gets so caught up, especially with social media in trends and invisible standards. With my music I'm bringing back freedom and the spirituality of life. I want to create a sound that starts a spiritual revolution across demographics. I want to use my music as a breath of fresh air. I want people to feel the urge to go and experience life. To inspire people to be free thinkers and seekers of their own identity. I aspire to create timeless pieces, building my legacy.

Without music, I would not be half the human I am and without singing I would not know my purpose in life. Music is my first love. Since preschool, I have fancied myself a singer/songwriter. I believe it was destined. Music met me in the womb. My mom is a true music lover, as was her father, my late grandfather. From the stories I am told, music was a huge part of her pregnancy with me. It is like straight out of the womb, I was put on the scale, both literally and figuratively. Every note of every lullaby stuck with me, and I was writing songs by the time was two years old. My love for music only continued to grow through my family and community influences. My grandmother, an avid jazz lover, spent Texas simmers blasting Nancy Wilson and Lou Rawls Christmas albums as if it were mid-December and snow blanketed the ground. Snow I only saw in movies. I would dress up for my great-grandmother and use her cane as a microphone while I fantasized about my sold-out show one day. The church would give me the gospel and the ability to sing lead every third Sunday. My dad loved southern rap like OutKast which grew our bond through a mutual love for Andre 3000. I can vividly remember riding around in the backseat of my mom’s car trying to pick every riff, run instrument note and beat. I hoped to one day write a song just as captivating as the ones I was digesting. I love Nancy Wilson, Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, The Cranberries, Edie Brickell, Paramore, Sade, Sondheim and so many more Music and theatre are the spaces that have allowed me to form bonds in places I never saw a common thread or likeness. Creativity, intellect, scholarship, and talent are just a few tenets that help to cultivate my artistry. I am attending Howard University to professionally develop my skills studying Vocal Music Performance with a Jazz Concetration and experience the magic of being surrounded by so many otherworldly talents, both past and present. If iron truly sharpens iron, Howard is the only reasonable next step in my lifelong plan: to sing, dance, and act, and ultimately become an EGOT. The Chadwick Boseman School of Fine Arts offers a foundation and training ground that is unique and dominant. I believe possibilities for art are limitless. Balance in our world would be everyone personified as themselves, instead of trying to label everything into a box or an “aesthetic”. To me the most beautiful decade is the seventies, they cracked the code. The seventies are a pure representation of how music and fashion go hand in hand with disco. The seventies also were a great time of unity, excellence, and innovation because everyone was chasing some sense of individuality. In my opinion the seventies was a maximalist. I’m in love with maximalism in every way. I believe that in life you should maximize on your good traits. Music is my outlet. Music is my gift to the world. My superpower. The world gets so caught up, especially with social media in trends and invisible standards. With my music I'm bringing back freedom and the spirituality of life. I want to create a sound that starts a spiritual revolution across demographics. I want to use my music as a breath of fresh air. I want people to feel the urge to go and experience life. To inspire people to be free thinkers and seekers of their own identity. I aspire to create timeless pieces, building my legacy.

Without the pressure of someone else's normalcy, I believe possibilities are limitless. Balance in our world would be everyone personified as themselves, instead of trying to label everything into a box or an “aesthetic”. To me the most beautiful decade is the seventies, they cracked the code. The seventies are a pure representation of how music and fashion go hand in hand with disco. The seventies also were a great time of unity, excellence, and innovation because everyone was chasing some sense of individuality. The way people had fun and interacted with each other positively. And yes, it wasn't always painless, but people had prerogatives despite the constraints. In my opinion the seventies was a maximalist. I’m in love with maximalism in every way. Outside of fashion, I believe that in life you should maximize on your good traits. On your talents and delve into loving the things you love. Music is my outlet. Music is my gift to the world. My superpower. The world gets so caught up, especially with social media in trends and invisible standards. With my music I'm bringing back freedom and the spirituality of life. I want to create a sound that starts a spiritual revolution across demographics, just like disco (hopefully minus the drugs). I want to use my music as enlightenment, a breath of fresh air. I want people to feel the urge to go and experience life. To inspire people to be free thinkers and seekers of their own identity. Especially for black & gay creatives who were traditionally boxed in or feel like they must fall into a stereotype. The seventies provide a spotlight to everyone who deserved one. In a world now, where everything seems pseudo, I want to encourage TRUE authenticity for any individual. I love music and have since I was a little girl. When i began taking songwriting seriously at six, my biggest inspiration was my mother. Looking back on the songs I wrote; all my music had a feminist take. Titles like "Soldier Girl" & Ordinary Girl". As a child I always admired, listened, and soaked in the people and conversations around me. I am going to build a legacy for myself and create timeless pieces that transcend time. I've always had a deep love and appreciation for creativity of all kinds. And love learning new things to use them as fuels for my own creations. That's how I fell in love with musical theater. I dream of taking my acting and singing talents Broadway. Doing comedies on screen. Writing, directing, and using all my art to heal and relate to others. I aspire to create timeless pieces, building my legacy.

Without music, I would not be half the human I am and without singing I would not know my purpose in life. Music is my first love. Since preschool, I have fancied myself a singer/songwriter. I believe it was destined. Music met me in the womb. My mom is a music lover, as was her father, my late grandfather. From what I'm told, music was a huge part of her pregnancy with me. It is like straight out of the womb, I was put on the scale, both literally and figuratively. Every note of every lullaby stuck with me, and I was writing songs by the time was two years old. My love for music only continued to grow through my family and community influences. My grandmother, an avid jazz lover, spent Texas simmers blasting Nancy Wilson and Lou Rawls Christmas albums as if it were mid-December and snow blanketed the ground. Snow I only saw in movies. I would dress up for my great-grandmother and use her cane as a microphone while I fantasized about my sold-out show one day. The church would give me gospel and the ability to sing lead every third Sunday. My dad loved southern rap like OutKast which grew our bond through a mutual love for Andre 3000. He still cannot resist turning up the volume and asking me, “What you know about this?” when “Liberation” comes on and we’re rapping in tandem. I can vividly remember riding around in the backseat of my mom’s car trying to pick every riff, run instrument note and beat. I hoped to one day write a song just as captivating as the ones I was digesting. Despite how solid my relationship has been with music; I was still a bit self-conscious about how others viewed my vast musical palate. In my life, I have been the youngest person at the Tony Bennet show or an Anita Baker concert (I’ve seen twice). I love Nancy Wilson, Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, The Cranberries, Edie Brickell, Paramore, Sade, Sondheim and so many more. Music and theatre are the spaces that have allowed me to form bonds in places I never saw a common thread or likeness. I have learned to express myself fully and to open up in ways that help me be more self-aware and even more free. I learn about others through music and expression, and I can push boundaries of understanding and unite with people who at one time seemed impossible and distant. If I could, I would experience everything through the art of music. It is so magical. Music as well as musical theater have shown me that my potential is infinite. Creativity, intellect, scholarship, and talent are just a few tenets that help to cultivate my artistry. I want to attend Howard University to professionally develop my skills and experience the magic of being surrounded by so many otherworldly talents, both past and present. My lifelong plan is to sing, dance, and act, and ultimately become an EGOT. I'm going to create timeless pieces—timeless moments and cultural markers that will be difficult to appropriate. I want to experience all things culturally elevated and I know that I'm learning from people who understand the music I desire to create. I want to be known for my musical gifts as a singer, a performer and a songwriter. I also long to be on Broadway. I plan on using my time at Howard to grow technically and build relationships. Eventually, I plan on using my music in many ways, to change, to heal, to teach, and to enlighten.

Without music, I would not be half the human I am and without singing I would not know my purpose in life. Music is my first love. Since preschool, I have fancied myself a singer/songwriter. I believe it was destined. Music met me in the womb. My mom is a true music lover, as was her father, my late grandfather. From the stories I am told, music was a huge part of her pregnancy with me. It is like straight out of the womb, I was put on the scale, both literally and figuratively. Every note of every lullaby stuck with me, and I was writing songs by the time was two years old. My love for music only continued to grow through my family and community influences. My grandmother, an avid jazz lover, spent Texas simmers blasting Nancy Wilson and Lou Rawls Christmas albums as if it were mid-December and snow blanketed the ground. Snow I only saw in movies. I would dress up for my great-grandmother and use her cane as a microphone while I fantasized about my sold-out show one day. The church would give me the gospel and the ability to sing lead every third Sunday. My dad loved southern rap like OutKast which grew our bond through a mutual love for Andre 3000. He still cannot resist turning up the volume and asking me, “What you know about this?” when “Liberation” comes on and we’re rapping in tandem. I can vividly remember riding around in the backseat of my mom’s car trying to pick every riff, run instrument note and beat. I hoped to one day write a song just as captivating as the ones I was digesting. I love Nancy Wilson, Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, The Cranberries, Edie Brickell, Paramore, Sade, Sondheim and so many more Music and theatre are the spaces that have allowed me to form bonds in places I never saw a common thread or likeness. I have learned to express myself fully and to open in ways that help me be more self-aware and even more free. I learn about others through music and expression, and I can push boundaries of understanding and unite with people who at one time seemed impossible and distant. If I could, I would experience everything through the art of music. It is so magical. Music as well as musical theater have shown me that my potential is infinite. Creativity, intellect, scholarship, and talent are just a few tenets that help to cultivate my artistry. I want to attend Howard University to professionally develop my skills and experience the magic of being surrounded by so many otherworldly talents, both past and present. If iron truly sharpens iron, Howard is the only reasonable next step in my lifelong plan: to sing, dance, and act, and ultimately become an EGOT. I aspire to attend Howard because the School of Fine Arts offers a foundation and training ground that is unique and dominant. I'm going to create timeless pieces—timeless moments and cultural markers that will be difficult to appropriate. I want to be known for my musical gifts as a singer, a performer and a songwriter. I also long to be on Broadway. Eventually, I plan on using my music in many ways, to change, to heal, to teach, and to enlighten. I want to help people and teach people through my sound. the same way I have been by artists like Erykah Badu and Stevie Wonder. I want to build my black community. Help dismount some of the ignorance and misunderstandings. To unite us as a people.

I have moved around five times throughout my childhood, and each time is different than the next. I am thankful to say that this last time couldn't have gone any better. I used to always talk about going to Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, D.C. for high school to live out my Fame dreams. Eighth grade came around and I auditioned for Vocal Music and Theater. Theater said yes, and Vocal Music said no. When COVID arrived, my only option didn’t even feel like a real option. Though I was happy to get in, I still felt the rejection from not being accepted into Vocal Music. Once theater was virtual, and my parent opted not to enroll me. That year sitting at home, I tried to push through by writing music and working through this new loss. I struggled with my identity as a singer. Coming out of COVID, I entered a new school, my current high school. It wasn’t exactly the biggest confidence boost. I was insecure once again, around people who did not know Haili for Haili. I almost didn’t pursue theater and music, the two loves of my life. It wasn’t until our Spring Musical in my sophomore year that I truly myself again. To my surprise, my director offered me the job of Assistant Director while still having a role in the show--Singing in The Rain. Ms. Joyner had only met me that year and trusted me enough to take on a position that I was told had not been filled by a student in over five years. After that year, I was awarded the Director’s Choice Department Award. After that I blossomed, spending the past two years determined to be admitted into a college or university where I can further develop into the artist I am to be. Since then I have excelled academically and creatively here at La Plata High School, being a Principal’s Honor Roll and AP student while maintaining a full choral and theater department schedule, including daily rehearsals for the La Plata High School Choral Department productions, participating in live coffeehouse and in-school performances and stage play or musical productions. I am also an avid singer and songwriter outside of school, I competed in the 2023 Maryland Thespian Festival at the University of Maryland musical theater and competed this past summer at Southern Maryland ACT-SO, winning gold, and National NAACP ACT-SO in Contemporary Vocal Music and Written Poetry categories. I even received the honor and title of 2023 – 2024 LPHS Homecoming Queen. It is not very often the new kid becomes the cool kid, especially not a theater kid like me.

Newton's Third Law states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. I believe in consequences and I believe in using my voice; but I have learned through my battles that there are many different ways to do so and over the years, I've had the opportunity to do just that. During my time in North Bethesda, Black and Brown students faced common racial discrimination and bias from the majority of students and the school's administration. One day during my very peaceful art class, a boy audaciously called me the "n-word" and taunted me. My parents (both Howard alums) did not raise me to run away from conflict or stay silent when it comes to my well-being. (I have grown up with food allergies and other immune issues, so being able to advocate for myself has always been important. As early as preschool age, my mom used to always say "Speak immediately and intelligently.") That day I realized, I was in a space where no matter how loud, sincere or outraged I was, talking, simply would not give me the justice I deserved. The incident occurred in front of a classroom full of students and a substitute teacher who heard what was said. And though it was obvious the boy was wrong, I was in turn told to calm down, then taunted. I realized in that moment my voice was not enough. In response, I banded with a group of students who had similar experiences and some witnesses, and we filled out a harassment form. When we were called to speak on the issue, we as a group were faced with more criticism than the harassers, because we tried to call attention to this issue at our school. Ultimately, my parents got involved to advocate on my behalf. Still unsatisfied with the administration's lack of accountability, I asked one of my favorite teachers to help me start a minority student union at my middle school. Once the club was approved, that same group of witnesses became a union of 20 students. Though I am no longer in middle school and do not live in Bethesda, I still carry the same passion for justice. I am now part of the minority student union at my high school, building equity here. We encounter similar issues weekly regarding racism, homophobia, etc. Just last year, some students from another school snuck onto campus before hours and hung the Confederate flag on our flagpole. We stayed active throughout the investigation encouraging the administration to find the students and threatening to walk out of school had there not been proper consequences. Those students were identified and suspended. At Howard, I will continue this mentality in all contexts, not just with racial inequity but all issues that are relevant to my existence in the world. Activism is not always as simple as just speaking on the topic, and it does not always have to be complicated—just calculated and intentional.

Newton's Third Law states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. I believe in consequences and I believe in using my voice; but I have learned through my own battles that there are many different ways to do so and over the years, I've had the opportunity to do just that. During my time in North Bethesda, Black and Brown students faced common racial discrimination and bias from the majority of students and the school's administration. One day during my very peaceful art class, a boy audaciously called me the "n-word" and taunted me. My parents (both Howard alums) did not raise me to run away from conflict or stay silent when it comes to my well-being. (I have grown up with food allergies and other immune issues, so being able to advocate for myself has always been important. As early as preschool age, my mom used to always say "Speak immediately and intelligently.") That day I realized, I was in a space where no matter how loud, sincere or outraged I was, talking, simply would not give me the justice I deserved. The incident occurred in front of a classroom full of students and a substitute teacher who heard what was said. And though it was obvious the boy was wrong, I was in turn told to calm down, then taunted. I realized in that moment my voice was not enough. In response, I banded with a group of students who had similar experiences and some witnesses, and we filled out a harassment form. When we were called to speak on the issue, we as a group were faced with more criticism than the harassers, because we tried to call attention to this issue at our school. Ultimately, my parents got involved to advocate on my behalf. Still unsatisfied with the administration's lack of accountability, I asked one of my favorite teachers to help me start a minority student union at my middle school. Once the club was approved, that same group of witnesses became a union of 20 students. Though I am no longer in middle school and do not live in Bethesda, I still carry the same passion for justice. I am now part of the minority student union at my high school, building equity here. We encounter similar issues weekly regarding racism, homophobia, etc. Just last year, some students from another school snuck onto campus before hours and hung the Confederate flag on our flagpole. We stayed active throughout the investigation encouraging the administration to find the students and threatening to walk out of school had there not been proper consequences. Those students were identified and suspended. I will continue this mentality in all contexts, not just with racial inequity but all issues that are relevant to my existence in the world. Activism is not always as simple as just speaking on the topic, and it does not always have to be complicated—just calculated and intentional.

Without music, I would not be half the human I am and without singing I would not know my purpose in life. Music is my first love. Since preschool, I have fancied myself a singer/songwriter. I believe it was destined. Music met me in the womb. My mom is a true music lover, as was her father, my late grandfather. From the stories I am told, music was a huge part of her pregnancy with me. It is like straight out of the womb, I was put on the scale, both literally and figuratively. Every note of every lullaby stuck with me, and I was writing songs by the time was two years old. My love for music only continued to grow through my family and community influences. My grandmother, an avid jazz lover, spent Texas simmers blasting Nancy Wilson and Lou Rawls Christmas albums as if it were mid-December and snow blanketed the ground. Snow I only saw in movies. I would dress up for my great-grandmother and use her cane as a microphone while I fantasized about my sold-out show one day. The church would give me the gospel and the ability to sing lead every third Sunday. My dad loved southern rap like OutKast which grew our bond through a mutual love for Andre 3000. He still cannot resist turning up the volume and asking me, “What do you know about this?” when “Liberation” comes on and we’re rapping in tandem. I can vividly remember riding around in the backseat of my mom’s car trying to pick every riff, run instrument note and beat. I hoped to one day write a song just as captivating as the ones I was digesting. Despite how solid my relationship has been with music; I was still a bit self-conscious about how others viewed my vast musical palate. In my life, I have been the youngest person at the Tony Bennet show or an Anita Baker concert (who I’ve seen twice). I love Nancy Wilson, Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, The Cranberries, Edie Brickell, Paramore, Sade, Sondheim and so many more. I love musicals and musical theater. Music and theatre are the spaces that have allowed me to form bonds in places I never saw a common thread or likeness. I have learned to express myself fully and to open up in ways that help me be more self-aware and even more free. I learn about others through music and expression, and I can push boundaries of understanding and unite with people who at one time seemed impossible and distant. If I could, I would experience everything through the art of music. It is so magical. Music as well as musical theater have shown me that my potential is infinite. Creativity, intellect, scholarship, and talent are just a few tenets that help to cultivate my artistry. I want to attend Howard University to professionally develop my skills and experience the magic of being surrounded by so many otherworldly talents, both past and present. If iron truly sharpens iron, Howard is the only reasonable next step in my lifelong plan: to sing, dance, and act, and ultimately become an EGOT. I'm going to create timeless pieces—timeless moments and cultural markers that will be difficult to appropriate. I want to be known for my musical gifts as a singer, a performer and a songwriter. I also long to be on Broadway. I plan on using my time at Howard to grow technically and build relationships. Eventually, I plan on using my music in many ways, to change, to heal, to teach, and to enlighten.

Creativity, intellect, scholarship, and talent are just a few tenets that help to cultivate my artistry. I want to attend Howard University to professionally develop my skills and experience the magic of being surrounded by so many otherworldly talents, both past and present. If iron truly sharpens iron, Howard is the only reasonable next step in my lifelong plan: to sing, dance, and act, and ultimately become an EGOT. I aspire to attend Howard because the school of fine arts offers a foundation and training ground that is unique and dominant. Howard is the only place I can see my ideas coming to life in the form that I have imagined them. I'm going to create timeless pieces—timeless moments and cultural markers that will be difficult to appropriate. Howard is the incubator of all things culturally elevated and I know that I'm learning from people who understand the music I desire to create. I want to be known for my musical gifts as a singer, a performer and a songwriter. I also long to be on Broadway. I plan on using my time at Howard to grow technically and build relationships. Eventually, I plan on using my music in many ways, to change, to heal, to teach, and to enlighten. At Howard, I will stand on the shoulders of so many other artists and great talents that I follow and even idolize. Many of the people I greatly admire are products of Howard University, including both of my parents. I have yet to attend a show or a field trip where at least one of the actors did not say Howard, and every artist I've talked to feels their experience at Howard was their compass to greatness. This is the ultimate place for me to continue to grow and develop for the main stage of my life. Newton's Third Law states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. I believe in consequences and I believe in using my voice; but I have learned through my battles that there are many different ways to do so and over the years, I've had the opportunity to do just that. During my time in North Bethesda, Black and Brown students faced common racial discrimination and bias from the majority of students and the school's administration. Still unsatisfied with the administration's lack of accountability, I asked one of my favorite teachers to help me start a minority student union at my middle school. Once the club was approved, that same group of witnesses became a union of 20 students. Though I am no longer in middle school and do not live in Bethesda, I still carry the same passion for justice. I am now part of the minority student union at my high school, building equity here. We encounter similar issues weekly regarding racism, homophobia, etc. Just last year, some students from another school snuck onto campus before hours and hung the Confederate flag on our flagpole. We stayed active throughout the investigation encouraging the administration to find the students and threatening to walk out of school had there not been proper consequences. Those students were identified and suspended. At Howard, I will continue this mentality in all contexts, not just with racial inequity but all issues that are relevant to my existence in the world. Activism is not always as simple as just speaking on the topic, and it does not always have to be complicated—just calculated and intentional.

I enjoy being involved in and being aware of what's going on in my community. I love meeting new people and being exposed to new things, ideas and concepts as a result. Being a student body officer of SGA, Minority Student Union, Choir and Theatre allows me to remain engaged with a plethora of different types of individuals who not only help me grow but help me to love and appreciate life. Recently I just participated in a powder puff football game, in a contest for two charities. My team was composed of people who never interacted with each other or considered it. But through that fundraiser, you now have an irreplaceable and unerasable memory. And all for a good cause. Music and theatre are the spaces that have most allowed me to form bonds in places I never saw a common thread or likeness. I have learned to express myself fully and to open up in ways that help me be more self-aware and even more free. I learn about others through music and expression, and I can push boundaries of understanding and unite with people who at one time seemed impossible and distant. If I could, I would experience everything through the art of music. It is so magical. It never fails that a song or an artist has the power to bring us together. And that’s one reason I love music, it gives me the freedom to absorb culture and understand people through sound. I value people and their experiences, I observe and try to take in all perspectives: to live freely, with an open mind and concrete morals. Music as well as musical theater have shown me that my potential is infinite. Eventually, I plan on using my music in many ways, to change, to heal, to teach, and to enlighten. And I feel that with every concert and performance I am in now, I already do. When it comes to SGA & MSU I believe in using my voice differently. Newton's Third Law states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. I have learned through my battles that there are many different ways to do so and over the years, I've had the opportunity to do just that. I am part of the minority student union at my high school, building equity here. We encounter issues weekly regarding racism, homophobia, etc. Just last year, some students from another school snuck onto campus before hours and hung the Confederate flag on our flagpole. We stayed active throughout the investigation encouraging the administration to find the students and threatening to walk out of school had there not been proper consequences. Those students were identified and suspended. I will continue this mentality in all contexts, not just with racial inequity but all issues that are relevant to my existence in the world. Activism is not always as simple as just speaking on the topic, and it does not always have to be complicated—just calculated and intentional.

Without music I would not be half the human I am and without singing I would not know my purpose in life. Music is my first love. Since preschool, I have fancied myself a singer/songwriter. I believe it was destined. Music met me in the womb. My mom is a true music lover, as was her father, my late grandfather. From the stories I am told, music was a huge part of her pregnancy with me. It is like straight out of the womb, I was put on the scale, both literally and figuratively. Every note of every lullaby stuck with me, and I was writing songs by the time was two years old. My love for music only continued to grow through my family and community influences. Despite how solid my relationship has been with music; I was still a bit self-conscious about how others viewed my vast musical palate. In my life, I have been the youngest person at the Tony Bennet show or an Anita Baker concert (I’ve seen twice). I love Nancy Wilson, Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, The Cranberries, Edie Brickell, Paramore, Sade, Sondheim and so many more. Music and theatre are the spaces that have allowed me to form bonds in places I never saw a common thread or likeness. I have learned to express myself fully and to open up in ways that help me be more self-aware and even more free. I learn about others through music and expression, and I can push boundaries of understanding and unite with people who at one time seemed impossible and distant. If I could, I would experience everything through the art of music. It is so magical. Music as well as musical theater have shown me that my potential is infinite. When my little sister was born, I felt to give her the same musical foundation I had growing up but expanded with all the new sounds I had found. Instead of lullabies, I would sing her to sleep with my classic; songs like Anita Baker, “You’re the Best Thing Yet.” Growing up, a song I assumed was about romance, but as I sang my sister to sleep, I realized it was a song meant about someone adding extra purpose to my life. Music gave me that. Creativity, intellect, scholarship, and talent are just a few tenets that help to cultivate my artistry. I want to attend Howard University to professionally develop my skills and experience the magic of being surrounded by so many otherworldly talents, both past and present. If iron truly sharpens iron, My lifelong plan is to sing, dance, and act, and ultimately become an EGOT. I aspire to attend Howard because the School of Fine Arts offers a foundation and training ground that is unique and dominant. I'm going to create timeless pieces—timeless moments and cultural markers that will be difficult to appropriate. I want to experience all things culturally elevated and I know that I'm learning from people who understand the music I desire to create. I want to be known for my musical gifts as a singer, a performer and a songwriter. I also long to be on Broadway. I plan on using my time at Howard to grow technically and build relationships. Eventually, I plan on using my music in many ways, to change, to heal, to teach, and to enlighten.

My mother is a cool mom. My mother is a creative like me. She is an artist. An amazing painter. An eloquent speaker. An interior designer. An architect. A journalist. She is one of the main reasons I even felt free to pursue my talents as a little girl. My mother has never taken no for an answer. Not only has she motivated me but she has been a huge inspiration. Hilari Younger has known the impact she has wanted to have on others since she was a little girl, not only in her art but also as a human. She has done nothing but encourage me to figure out the same. My mother has not only inspired me to chase my dreams but put me in rooms with people who could help me do. She has exposed me to concerts, interviews, backstage experience and every genre of music. Every time she has interviewed another artist or been on a red carpet she has had me right by her side. Exposing me to my dreams. I aspire to be a singer/songwriter, and I sing in a jazz style. I remember one day she woke me up and said we're going to see Robert Glasper tonight. Now I was already excited enough about the concert but I remember we had to leave the house at an oddly early time. When we arrived early I knew something was up. It turned out she was doing a backstage interview with Glasper and that day I was her technical assistant. When the interview was over we went to then enjoy the concert front row and at the end, she told me "These are the moments you'll look back on when you make it!". My mom is my number one supporter and I can always count on her to be in my front row.