In elementary school, I wanted to train dolphins. In middle school, I wanted to be an immigration lawyer. In early high school, I wanted to be a criminal investigator. Growing up, is anyone really certain, of what they want to do, for the rest of their life? When Four-year-old me was bragged to her first piano class, she had no idea the keys in front of her would be the answer to that question. My mom is a professional musician and is the Music Director of our church. I have grown up playing there, in the LifeTeen Band, or covering funeral, and wedding services. Music is the dominant chord, of my life. Music connects me, to my Colombian heritage. I grew up, in the United States. I felt distant, from my roots. During my summer trips, to Colombia, I realized that music isn’t a pastime. It’s the center of the culture. I discovered that no marketplace, or fiesta, was complete, without a speaker. I didn’t need to know Latin-American pop culture references, to be able to connect, with my cousins. Being able to clap, along to a 2-3 clave, was enough. Music has also given me a powerful connection, to my culture, and my understanding of myself. I improved my Spanish. I realized that I could be equal parts American, and Colombian. No one would question it. I embraced simultaneously being of two different worlds. When I decided to explore Jazz, playing both American, and Afro-Latin Jazz, came easily, because I embraced the fact that I could be two things, at once. I found myself practicing, for hours on end, at my piano. It wasn’t a chore. It was self-expression, in a universal language, beyond words. I want to effect change, in the world, through my music. Music impacts all of our lives, in one way, or another. It can promote meaningful, accessible, unifying communication. For me, music is the way I live my faith. It's my second form of Prayer. It's the way I can communicate with God better than I ever could with words. Music was emotional comfort, when I lost my grandmother, to COVID. I became devoted to music. I am lucky. I grew up, with easy access, to the arts. I attended both a performing arts middle, and high school. Access to practice time, during the school day, and professional artists’ music lessons, were resources that fostered a musical community where I felt a sense of responsibility. This Fall, I will start my undergraduate studies in Piano Performance at Carnegie Mellon University. Witnessing the impact that music had, on me, and my church community, ignites my passion to continue to make music accessible, not only for kids, but for adults, as well. I want to continue to teach, and mentor, those who are younger than me. I will share the knowledge, and experience, that I have gathered, over the years. I want to contribute, as a professional, by offering master classes to public arts schools, and to organizations, like New World Symphony’s College Track Mentorship Program, which have played an instrumental role in my own development as a musician. In my life, I hope to help make live, instrumental music accessible to both adults, and kids, everywhere. I want to share it, with the next generations, of the audience, at: my next school; out in the community; and in my life, in the years after my formal education ends.

In elementary school, I wanted to train dolphins. In middle school, I wanted to be an immigration lawyer. In early high school, I wanted to be a criminal investigator. Growing up, is anyone really certain, of what they want to do, for the rest of their life? When Four-year-old me was bragged to her first piano class, she had no idea the keys in front of her would be the answer to that question. My mom is a professional musician and is the Music Director of our church. I have grown up playing there, in the LifeTeen Band, or covering funeral, and wedding services. Music is the dominant chord, of my life. Music connects me, to my Colombian heritage. I grew up, in the United States. I felt distant, from my roots. During my summer trips, to Colombia, I realized that music isn’t a pastime. It’s the center of the culture. I discovered that no marketplace, or fiesta, was complete, without a speaker. I didn’t need to know Latin-American pop culture references, to be able to connect, with my cousins. Being able to clap, along to a 2-3 clave, was enough. Music has also given me a powerful connection, to my culture, and my understanding of myself. I improved my Spanish. I realized that I could be equal parts American, and Colombian. No one would question it. I embraced simultaneously being of two different worlds. When I decided to explore Jazz, playing both American, and Afro-Latin Jazz, came easily, because I embraced the fact that I could be two things, at once. I found myself practicing, for hours on end, at my piano. It wasn’t a chore. It was self-expression, in a universal language, beyond words. I want to effect change, in the world, through my music. Music impacts all of our lives, in one way, or another. It can promote meaningful, accessible, unifying communication. For me, music is the way I live my faith. It's my second form of Prayer. It's the way I can communicate with God better than I ever could with words. Music was emotional comfort, when I lost my grandmother, to COVID. I became devoted to music. I am lucky. I grew up, with easy access, to the arts. I attended both a performing arts middle, and high school. Access to practice time, during the school day, and professional artists’ music lessons, were resources that fostered a musical community where I felt a sense of responsibility. This Fall, I will start my undergraduate studies in Piano Performance at Carnegie Mellon University. Witnessing the impact that music had, on me, and my church community, ignites my passion to continue to make music accessible, not only for kids, but for adults, as well. I want to continue to teach, and mentor, those who are younger than me. I will share the knowledge, and experience, that I have gathered, over the years. I want to contribute, as a professional, by offering master classes to public arts schools, and to organizations, like New World Symphony’s College Track Mentorship Program, which have played an instrumental role in my own development as a musician. In my life, I hope to help make live, instrumental music accessible to both adults, and kids, everywhere. I want to share it, with the next generations, of the audience, at: my next school; out in the community; and in my life, in the years after my formal education ends.

In elementary school, I wanted to train dolphins. In middle school, I wanted to be an immigration lawyer. In early high school, I wanted to be a criminal investigator. Growing up, is anyone really certain, of what they want to do, for the rest of their life? When Four-year-old me was bragged to her first piano class, she had no idea the keys in front of her would be the answer to that question. My mom is a professional musician and is the Music Director of our church. I have grown up playing there, in the LifeTeen Band, or covering funeral, and wedding services. Music is the dominant chord, of my life. Music connects me, to my Colombian heritage. I grew up, in the United States. I felt distant, from my roots. During my summer trips, to Colombia, I realized that music isn’t a pastime. It’s the center of the culture. I discovered that no marketplace, or fiesta, was complete, without a speaker. I didn’t need to know Latin-American pop culture references, to be able to connect, with my cousins. Being able to clap, along to a 2-3 clave, was enough. Music has also given me a powerful connection, to my culture, and my understanding of myself. I improved my Spanish. I realized that I could be equal parts American, and Colombian. No one would question it. I embraced simultaneously being of two different worlds. When I decided to explore Jazz, playing both American, and Afro-Latin Jazz, came easily, because I embraced the fact that I could be two things, at once. I found myself practicing, for hours on end, at my piano. It wasn’t a chore. It was self-expression, in a universal language, beyond words. I want to effect change, in the world, through my music. Music impacts all of our lives, in one way, or another. It can promote meaningful, accessible, unifying communication. For me, music is the way I live my faith. It's my second form of Prayer. It's the way I can communicate with God better than I ever could with words. Music was emotional comfort, when I lost my grandmother, to COVID. I became devoted to music. I am lucky. I grew up, with easy access, to the arts. I attended both a performing arts middle, and high school. Access to practice time, during the school day, and professional artists’ music lessons, were resources that fostered a musical community where I felt a sense of responsibility. This Fall, I will start my undergraduate studies in Piano Performance at Carnegie Mellon University. Witnessing the impact that music had, on me, and my church community, ignites my passion to continue to make music accessible, not only for kids, but for adults, as well. I want to continue to teach, and mentor, those who are younger than me. I will share the knowledge, and experience, that I have gathered, over the years. I want to contribute, as a professional, by offering master classes to public arts schools, and to organizations, like New World Symphony’s College Track Mentorship Program, which have played an instrumental role in my own development as a musician. In my life, I hope to help make live, instrumental music accessible to both adults, and kids, everywhere. I want to share it, with the next generations, of the audience, at: my next school; out in the community; and in my life, in the years after my formal education ends.

In elementary school, I wanted to train dolphins. In middle school, I wanted to be an immigration lawyer. In early high school, I wanted to be a criminal investigator. Growing up, is anyone really certain, of what they want to do, for the rest of their life? When Four-year-old me was bragged to her first piano class, she had no idea the keys in front of her were the answer to that question. My mom is a professional musician. She sings, and she’s the Music Director of our church. I have grown up playing there, in the LifeTeen Band, or covering funeral, and wedding services. Music is the dominant chord, of my life. Music connects me, to my Colombian heritage. I grew up, in the United States. I felt distant, from my roots. During my summer trips, to Colombia, I realized that music isn’t a pastime. It’s the center of the culture. I discovered that no marketplace, or fiesta, was complete, without a speaker. I didn’t need to know Latin-American pop culture references, to be able to connect, with my cousins. Being able to clap, along to a 2-3 clave, was enough. Music has also given me a powerful connection, to my culture, and my understanding of myself. I improved my Spanish. I realized that I could be equal parts American, and Colombian. No one would question it. I embraced simultaneously being of two different worlds. When I decided to explore Jazz, playing both American, and Afro-Latin Jazz, came easily, because I embraced the fact that I could be two things, at once. I found myself practicing, for hours on end, at my piano. It wasn’t a chore. It was self-expression, in a universal language, beyond words. I want to effect change, in the world, through my music. Music impacts all of our lives, in one way, or another. It can promote meaningful, accessible, unifying communication. For me, music is the way I live my faith. It's my second form of Prayer. It's the way I can communicate with God better than I ever could with words. Music was emotional comfort, when I lost my grandmother, to COVID. I became devoted to music. I am lucky. I grew up, with easy access, to the arts. I attended both a performing arts middle, and high school. Access to practice time, during the school day, and professional artists’ music lessons, were resources that fostered a musical community where I felt a sense of responsibility. Witnessing the impact that music had, on me, and my church community, ignites my passion to continue to make music accessible, not only for kids, but for adults, as well. I want to continue to teach, and mentor, those who are younger than me. I will share the knowledge, and experience, that I have gathered, over the years. I want to contribute, as a professional, by offering master classes to public arts schools, and to organizations, like New World Symphony’s College Track Mentorship Program, which have played an instrumental role in my own development as a musician. In my life, I hope to help make live, instrumental music accessible to both adults, and kids, everywhere. I want to share it, with the next generations, of the audience, at: my next school; out in the community; and in my life, in the years after my formal education ends.

When we are little, we think our parents are perfect. They received our devoted, unwavering love, as a result. We copied their words, reactions, and opinions. As we grow up, though, we evolve. We discover their limitations and faults. Life experiences, decisions, and mistakes that we make our own. My dad came to America, as a Colombian refugee. Several failed, terrifying kidnapping attempts, from La Guerilla, left him no choice, but to escape. He arrived in America, speaking zero English and unable to put his engineering degree to use. My mom, also from Colombia, came to this country, seeking opportunity. She did so by choice. With no way of transferring her Ph.D, music became her avenue for success. I was the first baby. Tremendous pressure was put on me, growing up. I felt compelled to make my Dad proud, and live up to his expectations, for me. That pressure was dismissive. It denied my own hardships. It undermined my discouraging setbacks. In my Dad’s eyes, no struggle was valid. Nothing holds up to immigrating, with only the clothes on his back, and a couple of pesos, in his pocket. When I told him I wanted to pursue a career in music, instead of pursuing a “real job?” To him, I was abandoning everything for which HE had sacrificed. He was troubled by what he saw as walking away from opportunities that he fought so hard to give to me. “Machismo” is defined as “a strong sense of masculine pride.” The dictionary misses the cultural impact of the word on Latin-American communities. In Hispanic culture, men are revered, yet coddled at the same time. My younger brother, Emmanuel, always received more patience than I did. When it came to me, though, there was no coddling. My grades were never good enough. Concerts were never impressive enough. My clothing choices were never appropriate enough. “You are who you surround yourself with,” said my dad, the night before my first day of middle school. Sometimes, we don't get that choice. We can only choose to break the life choices that trap us. The stories about how my grandfather mistreated my grandmother? I can’t help but compare my parents’ relationship. Although not as blatantly abusive, the disrespect remains. I immersed myself in American culture. The standards are very different. Hispanic communities' attitudes toward women are so normalized. They can be damaging, and abhorrent. My superhero dad, I realized, was more mortal, than I had thought. My musical journey was typical. My mom dragged her kid to weekly lessons and then pushed practice. That changed, when I found true freedom through the art. Music was free of my dad’s opinions. He isn’t a musician. It released me from my dad’s imagined gender box. Musicianship and rhythm aren’t based on gender. “You are just like your father.” If told that, I would feel more insulted, than complimented. Our relationship, though, has shaped me, as a person. Ironically, my dad and I are alike: our mannerisms, our personalities, and our emotional outlook on life. His example: strength, perseverance, and honor. All are traits that I hope to embody. I’ve learned that my dad isn’t perfect. Perfection is interpretive, and subjective. It’s an unrealistic expectation, fueled by cultural standards. For my future, I choose to embrace his good qualities, and shed the negative ones. In college, and beyond, I will: create my own definition for perfection to work toward; and aspire to have my future children feel only pride, when someone says that they are just like me.

In elementary school, I wanted to train dolphins. In middle school, I wanted to be an immigration lawyer. In early high school, I wanted to be a criminal investigator. Growing up, is anyone really certain, of what they want to do, for the rest of their life? My dad opposed a career in the arts, so it was never a plausible reality, to me. My mom is a professional musician. She sings, and she’s the Music Director of our church. I have grown up playing there, in the LifeTeen Band, or covering funeral, and wedding services. I play college level music, at my arts school. I love to perform! Music is the dominant chord, of my life. Music connects me, to my Colombian heritage. I grew up, in the United States. I felt distant, from my roots. During my summer trips, to Colombia, I realized that music isn’t a pastime. It’s the center of the culture. I discovered that no marketplace, or fiesta, was complete, without a speaker. I didn’t need to know Latin-American pop culture references, to be able to connect, with my cousins. Being able to clap, along to a 2-3 clave, was enough. Music has also given me a powerful connection, to my culture, and my understanding of myself. I improved my Spanish. I realized that I could be equal parts American, and Colombian. No one would question it. I embraced simultaneously being of two different worlds. When I decided to explore Jazz, playing both American, and Afro-Latin Jazz, came easily, because I embraced the fact that I could be two things, at once. I found myself practicing, for hours on end, at my piano. It wasn’t a chore. It was self-expression, in a universal language, beyond words. I want to effect change, in the world, through my music. Music impacts all of our lives, in one way, or another. It can promote meaningful, accessible, unifying communication. I learned this, from growing up with a mom, who is our church’s music director. I became devoted to music. Music was emotional comfort, when I lost my grandmother, to COVID. I am lucky. I grew up, with easy access, to the arts. I attended both a performing arts middle, and high school. Access to practice time, during the school day, and professional artists’ music lessons, were resources that fostered a musical community where I felt a sense of responsibility. Witnessing the impact that music had, on me, and my church community, ignites my passion to continue to make music accessible, not only for kids, but for adults, as well. I want to continue to teach, and mentor, those who are younger than me. I will share the knowledge, and experience, that I have gathered, over the years. I want to contribute, as a professional, by offering master classes to public arts schools, and to organizations, like New World Symphony’s College Track Mentorship Program, which have played an instrumental role in my own development as a musician. In my life, I hope to help make live, instrumental music accessible to both adults, and kids, everywhere. I want to share it, with the next generations, of the audience, at: my next school; out in the community; and in my life, in the years after my formal education ends.

In elementary school, I wanted to train dolphins. In middle school, I wanted to be an immigration lawyer. In early high school, I wanted to be a criminal investigator. Growing up, is anyone really certain, of what they want to do, for the rest of their life? My dad opposed a career in the arts, so it was never a plausible reality, to me. My mom is a professional musician. She sings, and she’s the Music Director of our church. I have grown up playing there, in the LifeTeen Band, or covering funeral, and wedding services. I play college level music, at my arts school. I love to perform! Music is the dominant chord, of my life. Music connects me, to my Colombian heritage. I grew up, in the United States. I felt distant, from my roots. During my summer trips, to Colombia, I realized that music isn’t a pastime. It’s the center of the culture. I discovered that no marketplace, or fiesta, was complete, without a speaker. I didn’t need to know Latin-American pop culture references, to be able to connect, with my cousins. Being able to clap, along to a 2-3 clave, was enough. Music has also given me a powerful connection, to my culture, and my understanding of myself. I improved my Spanish. I realized that I could be equal parts American, and Colombian. No one would question it. I embraced simultaneously being of two different worlds. When I decided to explore Jazz, playing both American, and Afro-Latin Jazz, came easily, because I embraced the fact that I could be two things, at once. I found myself practicing, for hours on end, at my piano. It wasn’t a chore. It was self-expression, in a universal language, beyond words. I want to effect change, in the world, through my music. Music impacts all of our lives, in one way, or another. It can promote meaningful, accessible, unifying communication. I learned this, from growing up with a mom, who is our church’s music director. I became devoted to music. Music was emotional comfort, when I lost my grandmother, to COVID. I am lucky. I grew up, with easy access, to the arts. I attended both a performing arts middle, and high school. Access to practice time, during the school day, and professional artists’ music lessons, were resources that fostered a musical community where I felt a sense of responsibility. Witnessing the impact that music had, on me, and my church community, ignites my passion to continue to make music accessible, not only for kids, but for adults, as well. I want to continue to teach, and mentor, those who are younger than me. I will share the knowledge, and experience, that I have gathered, over the years. I want to contribute, as a professional, by offering master classes to public arts schools, and to organizations, like New World Symphony’s College Track Mentorship Program, which have played an instrumental role in my own development as a musician. In my life, I hope to help make live, instrumental music accessible to both adults, and kids, everywhere. I want to share it, with the next generations, of the audience, at: my next school; out in the community; and in my life, in the years after my formal education ends.

When we are little, we think our parents are perfect. They received our devoted, unwavering love, as a result. We copied their words, reactions, and opinions. As we grow up, we evolve. We discover their limitations and faults. Life experiences, decisions, and mistakes that we make our own. My dad, Javier, came to America, as a Colombian refugee. Several failed, terrifying kidnapping attempts, from La Guerilla, left him no choice, but to escape. He arrived to America, speaking zero English and unable to put his engineering degree to use. My mom, Liliana, also from Colombia, came to this country, seeking opportunity. She did so by choice. With no way of transferring her Ph.D, music became her avenue for success. I was the first baby. Tremendous pressure was put on me, growing up. I felt compelled to make my Dad proud, and live up to his expectations, for me. That pressure was dismissive. It denied my own hardships. It undermined my discouraging setbacks. In my Dad’s eyes, no struggle was valid. Nothing compares to immigrating, with only the clothes on his back, and a couple of pesos, in his pocket. When I told him I wanted to pursue a career in music, instead of pursuing a “real job?” To him, I was abandoning everything for which HE had sacrificed. He was troubled by what he saw as walking away from opportunities that he fought so hard to give to me. “Machismo” is defined as “a strong sense of masculine pride.” The dictionary misses the cultural impact of the word on Latin-American communities. In Hispanic culture, men are revered, yet coddled at the same time. My younger brother, Emmanuel, always received more patience than I did. If his grades weren’t up to par, he’d get a talking-to, not yelled at. If something upset him, my mom would fix it, instead of telling him that he's spoiled. When it came to me, though, there was no coddling. My grades were never good enough. Concerts were never impressive enough. My clothing choices were never appropriate enough. “You are who you surround yourself with,” said my dad, the night before my first day of middle school. Sometimes, we don't get that choice. We can only choose to break the life choices that trap us. The stories about how my grandfather mistreated my grandmother? I can’t help but compare my parents’ relationship. Although not as blatantly abusive, the disrespect remains. I immersed myself in American culture. The standards are very different. Hispanic communities' attitudes toward women are so normalized. They can be damaging, and abhorrent. My superhero dad, I realized, was more mortal, than I had thought. My musical journey was typical. My mom dragged her kid to weekly lessons and then pushed practice. That changed, when I found true freedom in the art. Music was free of my dad’s opinions. He isn’t a musician. It released me from my dad’s imagined gender box. Musicianship and rhythm aren’t based on gender. “You are just like your father.” If told that, I would feel more insulted, than complimented. Our relationship, though, has shaped me, as a person. Ironically, my dad and I are alike: our mannerisms, our personalities, and our emotional outlook, on life. His example: strength, perseverance, and honor. All are traits that I hope to embody. For my future, I choose to embrace his good qualities, and shed the negative ones. In college, and beyond, I will: create my own definition for perfection to work toward; and aspire to have my future children feel only pride, when someone says that they are just like me.