“You want me to… what?” Playing upright bass didn’t start as a passion for me. It started as a suggestion. In seventh grade, my band director handed me an upright bass and called it a “bigger violin.” At the time, I had no idea what role the bass played in jazz. That changed quickly. I gave it a try and didn’t put it down. I spent hours listening to recordings and learning walking bass lines. As I improved, I realized that music is about much more than individual performance. Jazz depends on people listening to one another, supporting each other, and making everyone around them sound better. That mindset shaped the opportunities I chose to pursue. By my sophomore year, I auditioned for NH Jazz All-State and earned the second highest score. Playing with that ensemble was life changing. It also made me realize that I wanted other students to experience the same kind of musical community. During my junior year, I founded the Perimeter Jazz Ensemble, bringing together advanced high school musicians to perform authentic big band arrangements. I organized rehearsals, selected repertoire, coordinated performances, and created an environment where students could challenge each other and grow together. Even after I graduated, the ensemble continued under new student leadership. Knowing that something I started continues to give other musicians opportunities is one of the accomplishments I'm most proud of. The following year, I became the top scoring bassist for NH Jazz All-State. While I was honored by that recognition, what mattered most was learning how great musicians serve the music first. Whether supporting a soloist, encouraging younger players, or helping an ensemble succeed, I found that the most rewarding moments came from contributing to something larger than myself. Pursuing music in college was not an easy decision. Many people encouraged me to choose a more practical path, concerned about the financial realities of a career in the arts. I understood those concerns, but I also knew I needed to find out how far I could go. When The New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music accepted me, I embraced the opportunity to study in New York City, surrounded by musicians who inspire me every day. Since arriving, I have tried to give back in the same way others invested in me. I enrolled in more ensemble classes than is typically allowed, performed in the school's flagship Studio Orchestra as a first year student, participated in open mics throughout the city, and helped a classmate premiere her original composition. Every performance has reminded me that music is a collaborative art, built on generosity, trust, and a willingness to support others. New York has challenged me to grow faster than I ever imagined. It has also reinforced the kind of musician I hope to become. I want to perform at the highest level, but I also want to continue creating opportunities for others, strengthening the musical communities I join, and using my skills to encourage the next generation of jazz musicians. A bassist friend once told me, “Remember, the opposite of depression isn't joy, it's expression. So, whatever you do, don't lose feeling.” That advice has stayed with me. Music is how I process, connect, and contribute. Whether performing, mentoring, organizing ensembles, or helping fellow musicians bring their ideas to life, I hope my greatest impact will come not only from the notes I play, but from the opportunities I help create for others.

“You want me to… what?” Playing upright bass didn’t start as a passion for me. It started as a suggestion. In seventh grade, my band director handed me an upright bass and called it a “bigger violin.” At the time, I had no idea what role the bass played in jazz. That changed quickly. I gave it a try and didn’t put it down. I spent hours listening to recordings and learning walking bass lines. By my sophomore year, I auditioned for NH Jazz All-State and got the second highest score. Playing with that ensemble was life changing. It made me want more than personal growth. I wanted to build something. Junior year, I founded the Perimeter Jazz Ensemble, bringing together advanced high school musicians to perform authentic big band arrangements. I organized rehearsals, selected repertoire, and arranged performances that pushed all of us beyond what we thought we could do. Even after I graduated, the ensemble continued under new student leadership. That continuity is something I’m especially proud of, because it means the opportunity I created didn’t end with me. A year later, I was named the top-scoring bassist for NH Jazz All-State. But more importantly, I had begun to understand what it really meant to collaborate with skilled musicians and raise my standards as a performer. It was a difficult year, though, balancing my successes with the voices telling me not to pursue music in college. They were well-meaning, concerned that I would be saddled with debt without a steady income to pay it off. I had to give it a shot. I needed to see how far I could take my music career, so I applied to the top schools in the northeast. When The New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music accepted me, I put the other offers aside. Could I make it in Greenwich Village, New York City, the “Capital of Jazz”? The possibilities were as terrifying as they were exciting. There have been bumps along the way, but studying jazz performance in this intense environment has been everything I hoped it would be. I’ve studied with jazz legends, including Reggie Workman, who recorded with John Coltrane, Dave Glasser, who played with Dizzy Gillespie, and Grammy-winner Jim Snidero. I’ve seen shows I would have never had access to, like jazz bassist Ron Carter, who is in a league of his own. I promised myself that I would maximize this opportunity and take every chance I could to play. I enrolled in more ensemble classes than is typically allowed. I performed in the school’s flagship Studio Orchestra as a first-year student, immersed myself in the city’s jazz scene through open mics and performances, and even helped a classmate debut her original composition. New York has pushed me to grow faster than I thought possible. It has also made it clear how much further I want to go. But, pursuing a jazz performance degree here comes with significant financial pressure, with annual costs exceeding $100,000. While financial aid covers half of that, scholarships are essential in allowing me to continue developing as both a musician and a contributor to the jazz community. A bassist friend once told me, “Remember, the opposite of depression isn’t joy, it’s expression. So, whatever you do, don’t lose feeling.” That idea has stayed with me. Music, for me, is not just something I do. It’s how I process, connect, and contribute. My goal is to continue growing as a musician who not only performs at a high level, but creates opportunities for others, just as I did with the ensemble I founded.

“You want me to… what?” Playing upright bass didn’t start as a passion for me. It started as a suggestion. In seventh grade, my band director handed me an upright bass and called it a “bigger violin.” At the time, I had no idea what role the bass played in jazz. That changed quickly. I gave it a try and didn’t put it down. I spent hours listening to recordings and learning walking bass lines. By my sophomore year, I auditioned for NH Jazz All-State and got the second highest score. Playing with that ensemble was life changing. It made me want more than personal growth. I wanted to build something. Junior year, I founded the Perimeter Jazz Ensemble, bringing together advanced high school musicians to perform authentic big band arrangements. I organized rehearsals, selected repertoire, and arranged performances that pushed all of us beyond what we thought we could do. Even after I graduated, the ensemble continued under new student leadership. That continuity is something I’m especially proud of, because it means the opportunity I created didn’t end with me. A year later, I was named the top-scoring bassist for NH Jazz All-State. But more importantly, I began to understand what it really meant to collaborate with skilled musicians and raise my standards as a performer. It was a difficult year, though, balancing my successes with the voices telling me not to pursue music in college. They were well-meaning, concerned that I would be saddled with debt without a steady income to pay it off. I had to give it a shot. I needed to see how far I could take my music career. I promised myself that I would maximize this opportunity and take every chance I could to play. I enrolled in more ensemble classes than is typically allowed. I performed in the school’s flagship Studio Orchestra as a first-year student, immersed myself in the city’s jazz scene through open mics and performances, and even helped a classmate debut her original composition. New York has pushed me to grow faster than I thought possible. It has also made it clear how much further I want to go. But, pursuing a jazz performance degree here comes with significant financial pressure, with annual costs exceeding $100,000. While financial aid covers half of that, scholarships are essential in allowing me to continue developing as both a musician and a contributor to the jazz community. A bassist friend once told me, “Remember, the opposite of depression isn’t joy, it’s expression. So, whatever you do, don’t lose feeling.” That idea has stayed with me. Music, for me, is not just something I do. It’s how I process, connect, and contribute. My goal is to continue growing as a musician who not only performs at a high level, but creates opportunities for others, just as I did with the ensemble I founded.

“You want me to… what?” Playing upright bass didn’t start as a passion for me. It started as a suggestion. In seventh grade, my band director handed me an upright bass and called it a “bigger violin.” At the time, I had no idea what role the bass played in jazz. That changed quickly. I gave it a try and didn’t put it down. I spent hours listening to recordings and learning walking bass lines. By my sophomore year, I auditioned for NH Jazz All-State and got the second highest score. Playing with that ensemble was life changing. It made me want more than personal growth. I wanted to build something. Junior year, I founded the Perimeter Jazz Ensemble, bringing together advanced high school musicians to perform authentic big band arrangements. I organized rehearsals, selected repertoire, and arranged performances that pushed all of us beyond what we thought we could do. Even after I graduated, the ensemble continued under new student leadership. That continuity is something I’m especially proud of, because it means the opportunity I created didn’t end with me. A year later, I was named the top-scoring bassist for NH Jazz All-State. But more importantly, I had begun to understand what it really meant to collaborate with skilled musicians and raise my standards as a performer. It was a difficult year, though, balancing my successes with the voices telling me not to pursue music in college. They were well-meaning, concerned that I would be saddled with debt without a steady income to pay it off. I had to give it a shot. I needed to see how far I could take my music career, so I applied to the top schools in the northeast. When The New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music accepted me, I put the other offers aside. Could I make it in Greenwich Village, New York City, the “Capital of Jazz”? The possibilities were as terrifying as they were exciting. There have been bumps along the way, but studying jazz performance in this intense environment has been everything I hoped it would be. I’ve studied with jazz legends, including Reggie Workman, who recorded with John Coltrane, Dave Glasser, who played with Dizzy Gillespie, and Grammy-winner Jim Snidero. I’ve seen shows I would have never had access to, like jazz bassist Ron Carter, who is in a league of his own. I promised myself that I would maximize this opportunity and take every chance I could to play. I enrolled in more ensemble classes than is typically allowed. I performed in the school’s flagship Studio Orchestra as a first-year student, immersed myself in the city’s jazz scene through open mics and performances, and even helped a classmate debut her original composition. New York has pushed me to grow faster than I thought possible. It has also made it clear how much further I want to go. But, pursuing a jazz performance degree here comes with significant financial pressure, with annual costs exceeding $100,000. While financial aid covers half of that, scholarships are essential in allowing me to continue developing as both a musician and a contributor to the jazz community. A bassist friend once told me, “Remember, the opposite of depression isn’t joy, it’s expression. So, whatever you do, don’t lose feeling.” That idea has stayed with me. Music, for me, is not just something I do. It’s how I process, connect, and contribute. My goal is to continue growing as a musician who not only performs at a high level, but creates opportunities for others, just as I did with the ensemble I founded.

“You want me to… what?” Playing upright bass didn’t start as a passion. It started as a suggestion. In seventh grade, my band director handed me an upright bass and called it a “bigger violin.” I had no idea what role it played in jazz, but once I picked it up, I didn’t put it down. I spent hours listening to recordings and learning walking bass lines. By sophomore year, I auditioned for NH Jazz All-State and earned the second highest score. That experience changed everything. It made me want more than personal growth. Junior year, I founded the Perimeter Jazz Ensemble, bringing together advanced high school musicians to perform authentic big band arrangements. I organized rehearsals, chose repertoire, and led performances that pushed all of us. Even after I graduated, the group continued under new leadership. That continuity is something I’m especially proud of. Senior year, I was named the top-scoring bassist for NH Jazz All-State. More importantly, I began to understand what it meant to collaborate at a high level. That same year, I faced pressure not to pursue music in college. People worried about the cost and uncertainty. They weren’t wrong, but I knew I had to try. I applied to top schools in the Northeast. When The New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music accepted me, I took the leap. Moving to Greenwich Village was both exciting and intimidating. Studying jazz here has been everything I hoped for. I’ve learned from legends like Reggie Workman, Dave Glasser, and Jim Snidero, and experienced performances I never would have otherwise. I committed to making the most of it. I enrolled in more ensembles than usual, performed in the Studio Orchestra as a first-year student, and immersed myself in the city’s jazz scene through open mics and collaborations. New York has pushed me to grow faster than I thought possible, and also made clear how much further I want to go. But this path comes with significant financial pressure, with annual costs exceeding $100,000. While financial aid covers part of that, scholarships are essential to continue my education. A bassist once told me, “The opposite of depression isn’t joy, it’s expression.” That idea has stayed with me. Music is how I process, connect, and contribute. My goal is to keep growing as a musician and to create opportunities for others, just as I did with the ensemble I founded.

“You want me to… what?” Playing upright bass didn’t start as a passion for me. It started as a suggestion. In seventh grade, my band director handed me an upright bass and called it a “bigger violin.” At the time, I had no idea what role the bass played in jazz. That changed quickly. I gave it a try and didn’t put it down. I spent hours listening to recordings and learning walking bass lines. By my sophomore year, I auditioned for NH Jazz All-State and got the second highest score. Playing with that ensemble was life changing. It made me want more than personal growth. I wanted to build something. Junior year, I founded the Perimeter Jazz Ensemble, bringing together advanced high school musicians to perform authentic big band arrangements. I organized rehearsals, selected repertoire, and arranged performances that pushed all of us beyond what we thought we could do. Even after I graduated, the ensemble continued under new student leadership. That continuity is something I’m especially proud of, because it means the opportunity I created didn’t end with me. A year later, I was named the top-scoring bassist for NH Jazz All-State. But more importantly, I had begun to understand what it really meant to collaborate with skilled musicians and raise my standards as a performer. It was a difficult year, though, balancing my successes with the voices telling me not to pursue music in college. They were well-meaning, concerned that I would be saddled with debt without a steady income to pay it off. I had to give it a shot. I needed to see how far I could take my music career, so I applied to the top schools in the northeast. When The New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music accepted me, I put the other offers aside. Could I make it in Greenwich Village, New York City, the “Capital of Jazz”? The possibilities were as terrifying as they were exciting. There have been bumps along the way, but studying jazz performance in this intense environment has been everything I hoped it would be. I’ve studied with jazz legends, including Reggie Workman, who recorded with John Coltrane, Dave Glasser, who played with Dizzy Gillespie, and Grammy-winner Jim Snidero. I’ve seen shows I would have never had access to, like jazz bassist Ron Carter, who is in a league of his own. I promised myself that I would maximize this opportunity and take every chance I could to play. I enrolled in more ensemble classes than is typically allowed. I performed in the school’s flagship Studio Orchestra as a first-year student, immersed myself in the city’s jazz scene through open mics and performances, and even helped a classmate debut her original composition. New York has pushed me to grow faster than I thought possible. It has also made it clear how much further I want to go. But, pursuing a jazz performance degree here comes with significant financial pressure, with annual costs exceeding $100,000. While financial aid covers half of that, scholarships are essential in allowing me to continue developing as both a musician and a contributor to the jazz community. A bassist friend once told me, “Remember, the opposite of depression isn’t joy, it’s expression. So, whatever you do, don’t lose feeling.” That idea has stayed with me. Music, for me, is not just something I do. It’s how I process, connect, and contribute. My goal is to continue growing as a musician who not only performs at a high level, but creates opportunities for others, just as I did with the ensemble I founded.

“You want me to… what?” Playing upright bass didn’t start as a passion for me. It started as a suggestion. In seventh grade, my band director handed me an upright bass and called it a “bigger violin.” At the time, I had no idea what role the bass played in jazz. That changed quickly. I gave it a try and didn’t put it down. I spent hours listening to recordings and learning walking bass lines. By my sophomore year, I auditioned for NH Jazz All-State and got the second highest score. Playing with that ensemble was life changing. It made me want more than personal growth. I wanted to build something. Junior year, I founded the Perimeter Jazz Ensemble, bringing together advanced high school musicians to perform authentic big band arrangements. I organized rehearsals, selected repertoire, and arranged performances that pushed all of us beyond what we thought we could do. Even after I graduated, the ensemble continued under new student leadership. That continuity is something I’m especially proud of, because it means the opportunity I created didn’t end with me. A year later, I was named the top-scoring bassist for NH Jazz All-State. But more importantly, I had begun to understand what it really meant to collaborate with skilled musicians and raise my standards as a performer. It was a difficult year, though, balancing my successes with the voices telling me not to pursue music in college. They were well-meaning, concerned that I would be saddled with debt without a steady income to pay it off. I had to give it a shot. I needed to see how far I could take my music career, so I applied to the top schools in the northeast. When The New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music accepted me, I put the other offers aside. Could I make it in Greenwich Village, New York City, the “Capital of Jazz”? The possibilities were as terrifying as they were exciting. There have been bumps along the way, but studying jazz performance in this intense environment has been everything I hoped it would be. I’ve studied with jazz legends, including Reggie Workman, who recorded with John Coltrane, Dave Glasser, who played with Dizzy Gillespie, and Grammy-winner Jim Snidero. I’ve seen shows I would have never had access to, like jazz bassist Ron Carter, who is in a league of his own. I promised myself that I would maximize this opportunity and take every chance I could to play. I enrolled in more ensemble classes than is typically allowed. I performed in the school’s flagship Studio Orchestra as a first-year student, immersed myself in the city’s jazz scene through open mics and performances, and even helped a classmate debut her original composition. New York has pushed me to grow faster than I thought possible. It has also made it clear how much further I want to go. But, pursuing a jazz performance degree here comes with significant financial pressure, with annual costs exceeding $100,000. While financial aid covers half of that, scholarships are essential in allowing me to continue developing as both a musician and a contributor to the jazz community. Choosing to study in New York City at The New School was a calculated risk. I knew the costs would be high, but I also knew I was willing to work hard to stay here. Balancing a full courseload, performing, and taking on side jobs has taught me discipline, but it also stretches me thin. This scholarship would help provide the stability I need to focus more intensely on my craft. It would ensure that my primary contribution is the music I create rather than the hours I spend working side jobs to survive. A bassist friend once told me, “Remember, the opposite of depression isn’t joy, it’s expression. So, whatever you do, don’t lose feeling.” That idea has stayed with me. Music, for me, is not just something I do. It’s how I process, connect, and contribute. My goal is to continue growing as a musician who not only performs at a high level, but creates opportunities for others, just as I did with the ensemble I founded.

“You want me to… what?” Playing upright bass didn’t start as a passion for me. It started as a suggestion. In seventh grade, my band director handed me an upright bass and called it a “bigger violin.” At the time, I had no idea what role the bass played in jazz. That changed quickly. I gave it a try and didn’t put it down. I spent hours listening to recordings and learning walking bass lines. By my sophomore year, I auditioned for NH Jazz All-State and got the second highest score. Playing with that ensemble was life changing. It made me want more than personal growth. I wanted to build something. Junior year, I founded the Perimeter Jazz Ensemble, bringing together advanced high school musicians to perform authentic big band arrangements. I organized rehearsals, selected repertoire, and arranged performances that pushed all of us beyond what we thought we could do. Even after I graduated, the ensemble continued under new student leadership. That continuity is something I’m especially proud of, because it means the opportunity I created didn’t end with me. A year later, I was named the top-scoring bassist for NH Jazz All-State. But more importantly, I had begun to understand what it really meant to collaborate with skilled musicians and raise my standards as a performer. It was a difficult year, though, balancing my successes with the voices telling me not to pursue music in college. They were well-meaning, concerned that I would be saddled with debt without a steady income to pay it off. I had to give it a shot. I needed to see how far I take my music career, so I applied to the top schools in the northeast. When The New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music accepted me, I put the other offers aside. Could I make it in Greenwich Village, New York City, the “Capital of Jazz”? The possibilities were as terrifying as they were exciting. There have been bumps along the way, but studying jazz performance in this intense environment has been everything I hoped it would be. I’ve studied with jazz legends, including Reggie Workman, who recorded with John Coltrane, Dave Glasser, who played with Dizzy Gillespie, and Grammy-winner Jim Snidero. I’ve seen shows I would have never had access to, like jazz bassist Ron Carter, who is in a league of his own. I promised myself that I would maximize this opportunity and take every chance I could to play. I enrolled in more ensemble classes than is typically allowed. I performed in the school’s flagship Studio Orchestra as a first-year student, immersed myself in the city’s jazz scene through open mics and performances, and even helped a classmate debut her original composition. New York has pushed me to grow faster than I thought possible. It has also made it clear how much further I want to go. But, pursuing a jazz performance degree here comes with significant financial pressure, with annual costs exceeding $100,000. While financial aid covers half of that, scholarships are essential in allowing me to continue developing as both a musician and a contributor to the jazz community. A bassist friend once told me, “Remember, the opposite of depression isn’t joy, it’s expression. So, whatever you do, don’t lose feeling.” That idea has stayed with me. Music, for me, is not just something I do. It’s how I process, connect, and contribute. My goal is to continue growing as a musician who not only performs at a high level, but creates opportunities for others, just as I did with the ensemble I founded.

“You want me to… what?” Playing upright bass didn’t start as a passion for me. It started as a suggestion. In seventh grade, my band director handed me an upright bass and called it a “bigger violin.” At the time, I had no idea what role the bass played in jazz. That changed quickly. I gave it a try and didn’t put it down. I spent hours listening to recordings and learning walking bass lines. By my sophomore year, I auditioned for NH Jazz All-State and got the second highest score. Playing with that ensemble was life changing. It made me want more than personal growth. I wanted to build something. Junior year, I founded the Perimeter Jazz Ensemble, bringing together advanced high school musicians to perform authentic big band arrangements. I organized rehearsals, selected repertoire, and arranged performances that pushed all of us beyond what we thought we could do. Even after I graduated, the ensemble continued under new student leadership. That continuity is something I’m especially proud of, because it means the opportunity I created didn’t end with me. A year later, I was named the top-scoring bassist for NH Jazz All-State. But more importantly, I had begun to understand what it really meant to collaborate with skilled musicians and raise my standards as a performer. It was a difficult year, though, balancing my successes with the voices telling me not to pursue music in college. They were well-meaning, concerned that I would be saddled with debt without a steady income to pay it off. I had to give it a shot. I needed to see how far I take my music career, so I applied to the top schools in the northeast. When The New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music accepted me, I put the other offers aside. Could I make it in Greenwich Village, New York City, the “Capital of Jazz”? The possibilities were as terrifying as they were exciting. There have been bumps along the way, but studying jazz performance in this intense environment has been everything I hoped it would be. I’ve studied with jazz legends, including Reggie Workman, who recorded with John Coltrane, Dave Glasser, who played with Dizzy Gillespie, and Grammy-winner Jim Snidero. I’ve seen shows I would have never had access to, like jazz bassist Ron Carter, who is in a league of his own. I promised myself that I would maximize this opportunity and take every chance I could to play. I enrolled in more ensemble classes than is typically allowed. I performed in the school’s flagship Studio Orchestra as a first-year student, immersed myself in the city’s jazz scene through open mics and performances, and even helped a classmate debut her original composition. New York has pushed me to grow faster than I thought possible. It has also made it clear how much further I want to go. But, pursuing a jazz performance degree here comes with significant financial pressure, with annual costs exceeding $100,000. While financial aid covers half of that, scholarships are essential in allowing me to continue developing as both a musician and a contributor to the jazz community. A bassist friend once told me, “Remember, the opposite of depression isn’t joy, it’s expression. So, whatever you do, don’t lose feeling.” That idea has stayed with me. Music, for me, is not just something I do. It’s how I process, connect, and contribute. My goal is to continue growing as a musician who not only performs at a high level, but creates opportunities for others, just as I did with the ensemble I founded.

“You want me to… what?” Playing upright bass didn’t start as a passion for me. It started as a suggestion. In seventh grade, my band director handed me an upright bass and called it a “bigger violin.” At the time, I had no idea what role the bass played in jazz. That changed quickly. I gave it a try and didn’t put it down. I spent hours listening to recordings and learning walking bass lines. By my sophomore year, I auditioned for NH Jazz All-State and got the second highest score. Playing with that ensemble was life changing. It made me want more than personal growth. I wanted to build something. Junior year, I founded the Perimeter Jazz Ensemble, bringing together advanced high school musicians to perform authentic big band arrangements. I organized rehearsals, selected repertoire, and arranged performances that pushed all of us beyond what we thought we could do. Even after I graduated, the ensemble continued under new student leadership. That continuity is something I’m especially proud of, because it means the opportunity I created didn’t end with me. A year later, I was named the top-scoring bassist for NH Jazz All-State. But more importantly, I had begun to understand what it really meant to collaborate with skilled musicians and raise my standards as a performer. It was a difficult year, though, balancing my successes with the voices telling me not to pursue music in college. They were well-meaning, concerned that I would be saddled with debt without a steady income to pay it off. I had to give it a shot. I needed to see how far I take my music career, so I applied to the top schools in the northeast. When The New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music accepted me, I put the other offers aside. Could I make it in Greenwich Village, New York City, the “Capital of Jazz”? The possibilities were as terrifying as they were exciting. There have been bumps along the way, but studying jazz performance in this intense environment has been everything I hoped it would be. I’ve studied with jazz legends, including Reggie Workman, who recorded with John Coltrane, Dave Glasser, who played with Dizzy Gillespie, and Grammy-winner Jim Snidero. I’ve seen shows I would have never had access to, like jazz bassist Ron Carter, who is in a league of his own. I promised myself that I would maximize this opportunity and take every chance I could to play. I enrolled in more ensemble classes than is typically allowed. I performed in the school’s flagship Studio Orchestra as a first-year student, immersed myself in the city’s jazz scene through open mics and performances, and even helped a classmate debut her original composition. New York has pushed me to grow faster than I thought possible. It has also made it clear how much further I want to go. But, pursuing a jazz performance degree here comes with significant financial pressure, with annual costs exceeding $100,000. While financial aid covers half of that, scholarships are essential in allowing me to continue developing as both a musician and a contributor to the jazz community. A bassist friend once told me, “Remember, the opposite of depression isn’t joy, it’s expression. So, whatever you do, don’t lose feeling.” That idea has stayed with me. Music, for me, is not just something I do. It’s how I process, connect, and contribute. My goal is to continue growing as a musician who not only performs at a high level, but creates opportunities for others, just as I did with the ensemble I founded.

“You want me to… what?” Playing upright bass didn’t start as a passion for me. It started as a suggestion. In seventh grade, my band director handed me an upright bass and called it a “bigger violin.” At the time, I had no idea what role the bass played in jazz. That changed quickly. I gave it a try and didn’t put it down. I spent hours listening to recordings and learning walking bass lines. By my sophomore year, I auditioned for NH Jazz All-State and got the second highest score. Playing with that ensemble was life changing. It made me want more than personal growth. I wanted to build something. Junior year, I founded the Perimeter Jazz Ensemble, bringing together advanced high school musicians to perform authentic big band arrangements. I organized rehearsals, selected repertoire, and arranged performances that pushed all of us beyond what we thought we could do. Even after I graduated, the ensemble continued under new student leadership. That continuity is something I’m especially proud of, because it means the opportunity I created didn’t end with me. A year later, I was named the top-scoring bassist for NH Jazz All-State. But more importantly, I had begun to understand what it really meant to collaborate with skilled musicians and raise my standards as a performer. It was a difficult year, though, balancing my successes with the voices telling me not to pursue music in college. They were well-meaning, concerned that I would be saddled with debt without a steady income to pay it off. I had to give it a shot. I needed to see how far I take my music career, so I applied to the top schools in the northeast. When The New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music accepted me, I put the other offers aside. Could I make it in Greenwich Village, New York City, the “Capital of Jazz”? The possibilities were as terrifying as they were exciting. There have been bumps along the way, but studying jazz performance in this intense environment has been everything I hoped it would be. I’ve studied with jazz legends, including Reggie Workman, who recorded with John Coltrane, Dave Glasser, who played with Dizzy Gillespie, and Grammy-winner Jim Snidero. I’ve seen shows I would have never had access to, like jazz bassist Ron Carter, who is in a league of his own. I promised myself that I would maximize this opportunity and take every chance I could to play. I enrolled in more ensemble classes than is typically allowed. I performed in the school’s flagship Studio Orchestra as a first-year student, immersed myself in the city’s jazz scene through open mics and performances, and even helped a classmate debut her original composition. New York has pushed me to grow faster than I thought possible. It has also made it clear how much further I want to go. But, pursuing a jazz performance degree here comes with significant financial pressure, with annual costs exceeding $100,000. While financial aid covers half of that, scholarships are essential in allowing me to continue developing as both a musician and a contributor to the jazz community. A bassist friend once told me, “Remember, the opposite of depression isn’t joy, it’s expression. So, whatever you do, don’t lose feeling.” That idea has stayed with me. Music, for me, is not just something I do. It’s how I process, connect, and contribute. My goal is to continue growing as a musician who not only performs at a high level, but creates opportunities for others, just as I did with the ensemble I founded.

I am currently a full-time jazz performance student at The New School in New York City, where I study upright bass and continue developing my voice as a jazz musician. Studying in New York places me in the center of one of the world’s most vibrant jazz communities, where I have had the opportunity to study with jazz legends including Reggie Workman, Dave Glasser, Chris Lightcap, and Jeff Carney. Their mentorship has challenged me to grow not only technically, but also artistically, helping me develop a deeper understanding of improvisation, harmony, and ensemble interaction. My journey with jazz began in 7th grade when a band director encouraged me to try the upright bass. At the time I was playing violin and had little understanding of jazz or the role of the bass in an ensemble. What began as a challenge quickly became a passion. I spent countless hours listening to recordings, learning walking bass lines, and studying the role of the bass as the foundation of the ensemble. That dedication helped shape my growth as a musician throughout middle school and high school. I was honored to be a three-year participant in New Hampshire’s Jazz All-State program, placing 2nd in the state as a sophomore and earning the top All-State score my senior year. Performing with those ensembles allowed me to collaborate with other highly motivated musicians and pushed me to continually raise my standards as a performer. Beyond my individual playing, I have also sought opportunities to lead and build my musical community. During my junior year of high school, I founded the Perimeter Jazz Ensemble, a big band composed of advanced high school musicians. I organized rehearsals, selected repertoire, arranged music, and coordinated performances. Our group focused on performing authentic jazz arrangements rather than simplified charts, which challenged us to grow both technically and musically. I led the ensemble for two years, and today the group continues under new student leadership. Seeing the ensemble continue after my graduation is something I am especially proud of because it means the opportunity I helped create remains available to other young musicians. At The New School, I continue to participate in jazz ensembles and performance based coursework, remaining actively engaged in the study and performance of jazz throughout the academic year. My goal is to continue growing as both a performer and collaborator while contributing positively to the musical communities I am part of. Pursuing a jazz performance degree in New York City presents significant financial challenges. Tuition, housing, and school related expenses make scholarships an essential part of making my education possible. Receiving this scholarship would help support those costs and allow me to focus more fully on my studies and performance opportunities. My long term goal is to build a career as a professional jazz musician while also contributing to the growth of live jazz performance and education. I hope to return to my hometown community and help expand opportunities for young musicians to experience and participate in jazz, helping keep the tradition of live music strong for future generations.

I started learning jazz in 7th grade when my band director asked me to join the jazz band. The school I attended was both a middle and high school, and the bass player in the jazz band was about to graduate. I was playing violin at the time, and I had no clue how to play what I thought was just a bigger violin, or even what jazz was. I remember feeling completely out of my element, but also curious. That curiosity quickly turned into dedication. I spent hours listening to recordings, trying to understand walking bass lines, and figuring out how the bass functioned differently from the violin. Fast forward a few years, and I placed 2nd in New Hampshire’s Jazz All-State as a sophomore. That experience was a turning point for me. Being surrounded by other serious musicians pushed me to raise my own standards. It showed me what was possible when preparation meets opportunity. I learned not only about ensemble playing at a high level, but also about professionalism, listening deeply, and supporting the band as a foundation rather than always seeking the spotlight. Getting to play with that group was an amazing experience. It was so meaningful that the following year, I contacted most of the people who were in that band with me and started my own group. It became a very successful ensemble called the Perimeter Jazz Ensemble. I ran it for two years, organizing rehearsals, booking performances, selecting repertoire, and making sure everyone felt invested in the music. Leading that group taught me how to communicate clearly, solve problems, and balance artistic vision with collaboration. The ensemble is currently being led by another student who was in the band both years, which is something I am especially proud of because it means the foundation we built continues to grow. I had the top score for New Hampshire’s All-State Jazz my senior year while applying to universities. I ultimately chose The New School because I felt it had the strongest sense of community out of any school I visited. Student life was vibrant, and the environment felt both challenging and supportive. Here, I have had the opportunity to study with jazz legends including Reggie Workman, Dave Glasser, Andy McKee, Chris Lightcap, and Jeff Carney. Learning from musicians of that caliber has reshaped the way I approach both practice and performance. Studying the intensity of the music and experiencing it from multiple perspectives is what excites me most right now. I am constantly exploring which chords can be substituted, experimenting with different voicings, and working through 2–5 progressions to resolve into new harmonic spaces. Beyond the technical side, I am focused on developing a deeper sense of time, tone, and interaction within an ensemble. I want to help keep live music alive, especially as AI begins to impact online music spaces. There is something irreplaceable about spontaneous interaction between musicians and the energy exchanged with a live audience. My goal is not only to grow as a performer, but also to contribute to a musical community that values creativity, mentorship, and authentic human connection.

Hi, I’m Jack Lianos, a bassist, musician, and supporter of the arts. Music has always been in my blood, but I did not truly find my instrument until seventh grade, when one of my band directors encouraged me to try the school’s new upright bass. I stepped up to the challenge and immediately fell in love. Years later, bass has become my voice and music my passion. I began taking private lessons during the pandemic and worked hard to stay committed even when lessons were remote. Practicing daily, learning new pieces, and pushing myself to grow helped me discover just how much I wanted to pursue music seriously. My dedication led to four consecutive years qualifying for NH All-State Orchestra as well as two years in Jazz All-State. Each experience pushed me to develop technically and artistically. Jazz especially opened a new world for me and showed me the power of music as expression. During my junior year, I founded the Perimeter Jazz Ensemble, a big band made up of elite high school musicians from across the state. With a retired Berklee professor as our director, we rehearsed biweekly, performed original jazz arrangements, and played public and private concerts. I handled everything from recruiting members and scheduling rehearsals to coordinating with a local theater for our annual performance. Although I have now graduated and begun studying out of state, the ensemble continues on, which is something I am very proud of! I am currently in my first semester at The New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York City, studying under some of the finest musicians in the field. Already, I am being challenged to stretch, refine, and fine tune my musical abilities. Being awarded this scholarship would help make my education more affordable in such an expensive city and allow me to graduate with less debt as I pursue my degree in jazz performance. When I am not playing music, I enjoy working on cars, especially restoring older vehicles and bringing them back to life. For me, it is another form of creative expression, much like music, where I take something broken and transform it into something vibrant and fully functional. Ultimately, my dream is to return to my hometown of Manchester, NH, and help grow its live jazz music scene. I want to create opportunities for students to play, learn, and fall in love with music the way I did. I have been fortunate to learn from inspiring mentors, and I look forward to paying that forward by guiding and encouraging the next generation of musicians.

Music speaks to me, especially jazz! It reaches my innermost being and touches my soul. I first started playing the violin in fourth grade. In seventh grade, my band director saw I was a strong musician and suggested I start playing a "bigger violin" - the upright bass. I did give it a try and fell in love! I couldn't get enough and started taking private lessons. This was during the pandemic, so at first all the lessons were done remotely. I kept up with lessons and practicing and learning new music as much as I could. In ninth grade I made it into the NH All-State Orchestra. The following year I made it into both the orchestra and the jazz band. I have qualified for Jazz All-State twice and Orchestra All-State all four years. I really enjoyed playing jazz and connected with other students to form a group that would meet more than just one weekend a year. And so the Perimeter Jazz Band was born! I asked my teacher, a retired Berklee professor, to be our director. We meet biweekly, and have played public and private concerts. It's been an amazing experience for students from around the state to be in such a professional caliber ensemble. Putting this group together and managing it from filling positions, making music selections, scheduling rehearsals, all the way to working with our local theater for our big annual performance has been an amazing experience. It has solidified my goal of continuing to make music, increase in my technical skill, and pursue a Bachelor's degree in Music Performance. Forming this band was outside of any school assignments and continues to be my favorite community service project I’ve ever done! Being awarded the Pamela Branchini Memorial Scholarship would help me realize my dream of attending The New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music College in New York City, the heart of the jazz world. It would mean that I am able to further study music performance and then be able to impact the world through music by modeling and encouraging others to follow their passions of making music and performing with others. I want to be a professional musician so that I can bring music to others, especially back in my home community here in Manchester, NH, where I feel that the live music scene is lacking. This would allow others, especially students, the opportunity to play and grow as they develop as musicians. I plan to go to college, learn as much as I can, then return to my community to bring more high caliber, live music to the area. I hope to inspire more people, especially students, to explore musical opportunities and grow in their abilities. I've been fortunate to have great instructors and directors along my journey who have encouraged and challenged me to push the limits of my abilities. I want the opportunity to pay that forward. I never expected to fall in love with music like I did. Someone once said to me, "Remember, the opposite of depression isn't joy, it's expression. So whatever you do, don't lose feeling when you're making music." I can't imagine making music any other way!

Music speaks to me, especially jazz! It reaches my innermost being and touches my soul. I first started playing the violin in fourth grade. In seventh grade, my band director saw I was a strong musician and suggested I start playing a "bigger violin" - the upright bass. I did give it a try and fell in love! I couldn't get enough and started taking private lessons. This was during the pandemic, so at first all the lessons were done remotely. I kept up with lessons and practicing and learning new music as much as I could. In ninth grade I made it into the NH All-State Orchestra. The following year I made it into both the orchestra and the jazz band. I have qualified for Jazz All-State twice and Orchestra All-State all four years. I really enjoyed playing jazz and connected with other students to form a group that would meet more than just one weekend a year. And so the Perimeter Jazz Band was born! I asked my teacher, a retired Berklee professor, to be our director. We meet biweekly, and have played public and private concerts. It's been an amazing experience for students from around the state to be in such a professional caliber ensemble. Putting this group together and managing it from filling positions, making music selections, scheduling rehearsals, all the way to working with our local theater for our big annual performance has been an amazing experience. It has solidified my goal of continuing to make music, increase in my technical skill, and pursue a Bachelor's degree in Music Performance. Forming this band was outside of any school assignments and continues to be my favorite community service project I’ve ever done! Being awarded the Mad Grad Scholarship would help me realize my dream of attending The New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music College in New York City, the heart of the jazz world. It would mean that I am able to further study music performance and then be able to impact the world through music by modeling and encouraging others to follow their passions of making music and performing with others. I want to be a professional musician so that I can bring music to others, especially back in my home community here in Manchester, NH, where I feel that the live music scene is lacking. This would allow others, especially students, the opportunity to play and grow as they develop as musicians. I plan to go to college, learn as much as I can, then return to my community to bring more high caliber, live music to the area. I hope to inspire more people, especially students, to explore musical opportunities and grow in their abilities. I've been fortunate to have great instructors and directors along my journey who have encouraged and challenged me to push the limits of my abilities. I want the opportunity to pay that forward. I never expected to fall in love with music like I did. Someone once said to me, "Remember, the opposite of depression isn't joy, it's expression. So whatever you do, don't lose feeling when you're making music." I can't imagine making music any other way!

Music speaks to me, especially jazz! It reaches my innermost being and touches my soul. I first started playing the violin in fourth grade. In seventh grade, my band director saw I was a strong musician and suggested I start playing a "bigger violin" - the upright bass. I did give it a try and fell in love! I couldn't get enough and started taking private lessons. This was during the pandemic, so at first all the lessons were done remotely. I kept up with lessons and practicing and learning new music as much as I could. In ninth grade I made it into the NH All-State Orchestra. The following year I made it into both the orchestra and the jazz band. I have qualified for Jazz All-State twice and Orchestra All-State all four years. I really enjoyed playing jazz and connected with other students to form a group that would meet more than just one weekend a year. And so the Perimeter Jazz Band was born! I asked my teacher, a retired Berklee professor, to be our director. We meet biweekly, and have played public and private concerts. It's been an amazing experience for students from around the state to be in such a professional caliber ensemble. Putting this group together and managing it from filling positions, making music selections, scheduling rehearsals, all the way to working with our local theater for our big annual performance has been an amazing experience. It has solidified my goal of continuing to make music, increase in my technical skill, and pursue a Bachelor's degree in Music Performance. Forming this band was outside of any school assignments and continues to be my favorite community service project I’ve ever done! Being awarded the Alice M. Williams Legacy Scholarship would help me realize my dream of attending The New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music College in New York City, the heart of the jazz world. It would mean that I am able to further study music performance and then be able to impact the world through music by modeling and encouraging others to follow their passions of making music and performing with others. I want to be a professional musician so that I can bring music to others, especially back in my home community here in Manchester, NH, where I feel that the live music scene is lacking. This would allow others, especially students, the opportunity to play and grow as they develop as musicians. I plan to go to college, learn as much as I can, then return to my community to bring more high caliber, live music to the area. I hope to inspire more people, especially students, to explore musical opportunities and grow in their abilities. I've been fortunate to have great instructors and directors along my journey who have encouraged and challenged me to push the limits of my abilities. I want the opportunity to pay that forward. I never expected to fall in love with music like I did. Someone once said to me, "Remember, the opposite of depression isn't joy, it's expression. So whatever you do, don't lose feeling when you're making music." I can't imagine making music any other way!

Music speaks to me, especially jazz! It reaches my innermost being and touches my soul. I first started playing the violin in fourth grade. In seventh grade, my band director saw I was a strong musician and suggested I start playing a "bigger violin" - the upright bass. I did give it a try and fell in love! I couldn't get enough and started taking private lessons. This was during the pandemic, so at first all the lessons were done remotely. I kept up with lessons and practicing and learning new music as much as I could. I have qualified for Jazz All-State twice and Orchestra All-State for four years, and this year I attended All-Eastern Orchestra. I really enjoyed playing jazz and connected with other students to form a group that would meet more than just one weekend a year. And so the Perimeter Jazz Band was born! I asked my teacher, a retired Berklee professor, to be our director. We meet biweekly, and have played public and private concerts. It's been an amazing experience for students from around the state to be in such a professional caliber ensemble. Putting this group together and managing it from filling positions, making music selections, scheduling rehearsals, all the way to working with our local theater for our big annual performance has been an amazing experience. It has solidified my goal of getting a Bachelor's degree in Music Performance. Forming this band was outside of any school assignments and continues to be my favorite community service project I’ve ever done! Being awarded the WCEJ Thornton Foundation Music & Art Scholarship would help me realize my dream of attending The School of Jazz at The New School in New York City, the heart of the jazz world. It would mean that I am able to further study music performance and then be able to impact the world through music. I want to be a professional musician so that I can bring music to others, especially back in my home community here in Manchester, NH, where I feel that the live music scene is lacking. I plan to go to college, learn as much as I can, then return to my community to bring more high caliber, live music to the area. I hope to inspire more people, especially students, to explore musical opportunities and grow in their abilities.

Music speaks to me, especially jazz! It reaches my innermost being and touches my soul. I first started playing the violin in fourth grade. In seventh grade, my band director saw I was a strong musician and suggested I start playing a "bigger violin" - the upright bass. I did give it a try and fell in love! I couldn't get enough and started taking private lessons. This was during the pandemic, so at first all the lessons were done remotely. I kept up with lessons and practicing and learning new music as much as I could. In ninth grade I made it into the NH All-State Orchestra. The following year I made it into both the orchestra and the jazz band. I really enjoyed playing jazz and connected with other students to form a group that would meet more than just one weekend a year. And so the Perimeter Jazz Band was born! I asked my teacher, a retired Berklee professor, to be our director. We meet biweekly, and have played public and private concerts. It's been an amazing experience for students from around the state to be in such a professional caliber ensemble. Putting this group together and managing it from filling positions, making music selections, scheduling rehearsals, all the way to working with our local theater for our big annual performance has been an amazing experience. It has solidified my goal of continuing to make music, increase in my technical skill, and pursue a Bachelor's degree in Music Performance. I hope to impact the world through music by modeling and encouraging others to follow their passions of making music and performing with others. I want to be a professional musician so that I can bring music to others, especially back in my home community where I feel that the live music scene is lacking. This would allow others, especially students, the opportunity to play and grow as they develop as musicians. I want to go to college, learn as much as I can, then return to my community to bring more high caliber, live music to the area. I want to inspire more people to explore musical opportunities and grow in their abilities. Someone once said to me, "Remember, the opposite of depression isn't joy, it's expression. So whatever you do, don't lose feeling when you're making music." I can't imagine making music any other way.

Music speaks to me, especially jazz! It reaches my innermost being and touches my soul. I first started playing the violin in fourth grade. In seventh grade, my band director saw I was a strong musician and suggested I start playing a "bigger violin" - the upright bass. I did give it a try and fell in love! I couldn't get enough and started taking private lessons. This was during the pandemic, so at first all the lessons were done remotely. I kept up with lessons and practicing and learning new music as much as I could. In ninth grade I made it into the NH All-State Orchestra. The following year I made it into both the orchestra and the jazz band. I really enjoyed playing jazz and connected with other students to form a group that would meet more than just one weekend a year. And so the Perimeter Jazz Band was born! I asked my teacher, a retired Berklee professor, to be our director. We meet biweekly, and have played public and private concerts. It's been an amazing experience for students from around the state to be in such a professional caliber ensemble. Putting this group together and managing it from filling positions, making music selections, scheduling rehearsals, all the way to working with our local theater for our big annual performance has been an amazing experience. It has solidified my goal of continuing to make music, increase in my technical skill, and pursue a Bachelor's degree in Music Performance. I hope to impact the world through music by modeling and encouraging others to follow their passions of making music and performing with others. I want to be a professional musician so that I can bring music to others, especially back in my home community where I feel that the live music scene is lacking. This would allow others, especially students, the opportunity to play and grow as they develop as musicians. I want to go to college, learn as much as I can, then return to my community to bring more high caliber, live music to the area. I hope to inspire more people to explore musical opportunities and grow in their abilities. I've been fortunate to have great instructors and directors along my journey who have encouraged and challenged me to push the limits of my abilities. I want the opportunity to pay that forward. I never expected to fall in love with music like I did. Someone once said to me, "Remember, the opposite of depression isn't joy, it's expression. So whatever you do, don't lose feeling when you're making music." I can't imagine making music any other way.

Music speaks to me, especially jazz! It reaches my innermost being and touches my soul. I first started playing the violin in fourth grade. In seventh grade, my band director saw I was a strong musician and suggested I start playing a "bigger violin" - the upright bass. I did give it a try and fell in love! I couldn't get enough and started taking private lessons. This was during the pandemic, so at first all the lessons were done remotely. I kept up with lessons and practicing and learning new music as much as I could. In ninth grade I made it into the NH All-State Orchestra. The following year I made it into both the orchestra and the jazz band. I really enjoyed playing jazz and connected with other students to form a group that would meet more than just one weekend a year. And so the Perimeter Jazz Band was born! I asked my teacher, a retired Berklee professor, to be our director. We meet biweekly, and have played public and private concerts. It's been an amazing experience for students from around the state to be in such a professional caliber ensemble. Putting this group together and managing it from filling positions, making music selections, scheduling rehearsals, all the way to working with our local theater for our big annual performance has been an amazing experience. It has solidified my goal of continuing to make music, increase in my technical skill, and pursue a Bachelor's degree in Music Performance. I hope to impact the world through music by modeling and encouraging others to follow their passions of making music and performing with others. I want to be a professional musician so that I can bring music to others, especially back in my home community where I feel that the live music scene is lacking. This would allow others, especially students, the opportunity to play and grow as they develop as musicians. I want to go to college, learn as much as I can, then return to my community to bring more high caliber, live music to the area. I hope to inspire more people to explore musical opportunities and grow in their abilities, and to channel their energy into creating something beautiful. I've been fortunate to have great instructors and directors along my journey who have encouraged and challenged me to push the limits of my abilities. I want the opportunity to pay that forward. I never expected to fall in love with music like I did. Someone once said to me, "Remember, the opposite of depression isn't joy, it's expression. So whatever you do, don't lose feeling when you're making music." I can't imagine making music any other way.

Music speaks to me, especially jazz! It reaches my innermost being and touches my soul. I first started playing the violin in fourth grade. In seventh grade, my band director saw I was a strong musician and suggested I start playing a "bigger violin" - the upright bass. I did give it a try and fell in love! I couldn't get enough and started taking private lessons. This was during the pandemic, so at first all the lessons were done remotely. I kept up with lessons and practicing and learning new music as much as I could. In ninth grade I made it into the NH All-State Orchestra. The following year I made it into both the orchestra and the jazz band. I really enjoyed playing jazz and connected with other students to form a group that would meet more than just one weekend a year. And so the Perimeter Jazz Band was born! I asked my teacher, a retired Berklee professor, to be our director. We meet biweekly, and have played public and private concerts. It's been an amazing experience for students from around the state to be in such a professional caliber ensemble. Putting this group together and managing it from filling positions, making music selections, scheduling rehearsals, all the way to working with our local theater for our big annual performance has been an amazing experience. It has solidified my goal of continuing to make music, increase in my technical skill, and pursue a Bachelor's degree in Music Performance. I hope to impact the world through music by modeling and encouraging others to follow their passions of making music and performing with others. I want to be a professional musician so that I can bring music to others, especially back in my home community where I feel that the live music scene is lacking. This would allow others, especially students, the opportunity to play and grow as they develop as musicians. I want to go to college, learn as much as I can, then return to my community to bring more high caliber, live music to the area. I want to inspire more people to explore musical opportunities and grow in their abilities. I've been fortunate to have great instructors and directors along my journey who have encouraged and challenged me to push the limits of my abilities. I want the opportunity to pay that forward. I never expected to fall in love with music like I did. Someone once said to me, "Remember, the opposite of depression isn't joy, it's expression. So whatever you do, don't lose feeling when you're making music." I can't imagine making music any other way.

Music speaks to me, especially jazz! It reaches my innermost being and touches my soul. I first started playing the violin in fourth grade. In seventh grade, my band director saw I was a strong musician and suggested I start playing a "bigger violin" - the upright bass. I did give it a try and fell in love! I couldn't get enough and started taking private lessons. This was during the pandemic, so at first all the lessons were done remotely. I kept up with lessons and practicing and learning new music as much as I could. In ninth grade I made it into the NH All-State Orchestra. The following year I made it into both the orchestra and the jazz band. I really enjoyed playing jazz and connected with other students to form a group that would meet more than just one weekend a year. And so the Perimeter Jazz Band was born! I asked my teacher, a retired Berklee professor, to be our director. We meet biweekly, and have played public and private concerts. It's been an amazing experience for students from around the state to be in such a professional caliber ensemble. Putting this group together and managing it from filling positions, making music selections, scheduling rehearsals, all the way to working with our local theater for our big annual performance has been an amazing experience. It has solidified my goal of continuing to make music, increase in my technical skill, and pursue a Bachelor's degree in Music Performance. I hope to make a difference in the world through music by modeling and encouraging others to follow their passions of making music and performing with others. I want to be a professional musician so that I can bring music to others, especially back in my home community where I feel that the live music scene is lacking. This would allow others, especially students, the opportunity to play and grow as they develop as musicians. I want to go to college, learn as much as I can, then return to my community to bring more high caliber, live music to the area. I want to inspire more people to explore musical opportunities and grow in their abilities. I hope to impact the world through music by modeling and encouraging others to follow their passions of making music. I've been fortunate to have great instructors and directors along my journey who have encouraged and challenged me to push the limits of my abilities. I want the opportunity to pay that forward. I never expected to fall in love with music like I did. Someone once said to me, "Remember, the opposite of depression isn't joy, it's expression. So whatever you do, don't lose feeling when you're making music." I can't imagine making music any other way.

Music speaks to me, especially jazz! It reaches my innermost being and touches my soul. I first started playing the violin in fourth grade. In seventh grade, my band director saw I was a strong musician and suggested I start playing a "bigger violin" - the upright bass. I did give it a try and fell in love! I couldn't get enough and started taking private lessons. This was during the pandemic, so at first all the lessons were done remotely. I kept up with lessons and practicing and learning new music as much as I could. In ninth grade I made it into the NH All-State Orchestra. The following year I made it into both the orchestra and the jazz band. I really enjoyed playing jazz and connected with other students to form a group that would meet more than just one weekend a year. And so the Perimeter Jazz Band was born! I asked my teacher, a retired Berklee professor, to be our director. We meet biweekly, and have played public and private concerts. It's been an amazing experience for students from around the state to be in such a professional caliber ensemble. Putting this group together and managing it from filling positions, making music selections, scheduling rehearsals, all the way to working with our local theater for our big annual performance has been an amazing experience. It has solidified my goal of continuing to make music, increase in my technical skill, and pursue a Bachelor's degree in Music Performance. I hope to impact the world through music by modeling and encouraging others to follow their passions of making music and performing with others. I want to be a professional musician so that I can bring music to others, especially back in my home community where I feel that the live music scene is lacking. This would allow others, especially students, the opportunity to play and grow as they develop as musicians. I want to go to college, learn as much as I can, then return to my community to bring more high caliber, live music to the area. I want to inspire more people to explore musical opportunities and grow in their abilities. I hope to impact the world through music by modeling and encouraging others to follow their passions of making music. I've been fortunate to have great instructors and directors along my journey who have encouraged and challenged me to push the limits of my abilities. I want the opportunity to pay that forward. I never expected to fall in love with music like I did. Someone once said to me, "Remember, the opposite of depression isn't joy, it's expression. So whatever you do, don't lose feeling when you're making music." I can't imagine making music any other way.

Music speaks to me, especially jazz! It reaches my innermost being and touches my soul. I first started playing the violin in fourth grade. In seventh grade, my band director saw I was a strong musician and suggested I start playing a "bigger violin" - the upright bass. I did give it a try and fell in love! I couldn't get enough and started taking private lessons. This was during the pandemic, so at first all the lessons were done remotely. I kept up with lessons and practicing and learning new music as much as I could. In ninth grade I made it into the NH All-State Orchestra. The following year I made it into both the orchestra and the jazz band. I really enjoyed playing jazz and connected with other students to form a group that would meet more than just one weekend a year. And so the Perimeter Jazz Band was born! I asked my teacher, a retired Berklee professor, to be our director. We meet biweekly, and have played public and private concerts. It's been an amazing experience for students from around the state to be in such a professional caliber ensemble. Putting this group together and managing it from filling positions, making music selections, scheduling rehearsals, all the way to working with our local theater for our big annual performance has been an amazing experience. It has solidified my goal of continuing to make music, increase in my technical skill, and pursue a Bachelor's degree in Music Performance. I hope to impact the world through music by modeling and encouraging others to follow their passions of making music and performing with others. I want to be a professional musician so that I can bring music to others, especially back in my home community where I feel that the live music scene is lacking. This would allow others, especially students, the opportunity to play and grow as they develop as musicians. I want to go to college, learn as much as I can, then return to my community to bring more high caliber, live music to the area. I want to inspire more people to explore musical opportunities and grow in their abilities. I hope to impact the world through music by modeling and encouraging others to follow their passions of making music. I've been fortunate to have great instructors and directors along my journey who have encouraged and challenged me to push the limits of my abilities. I want the opportunity to pay that forward. I never expected to fall in love with music like I did. Someone once said to me, "Remember, the opposite of depression isn't joy, it's expression. So whatever you do, don't lose feeling when you're making music." I can't imagine making music any other way.

Music speaks to me, especially jazz! It reaches my innermost being and touches my soul. I first started playing the violin in fourth grade. In seventh grade, my band director saw I was a strong musician and suggested I start playing a "bigger violin" - the upright bass. I did give it a try and fell in love! I couldn't get enough and started taking private lessons. This was during the pandemic, so at first all the lessons were done remotely. I kept up with lessons and practicing and learning new music as much as I could. In ninth grade I made it into the NH All-State Orchestra. The following year I made it into both the orchestra and the jazz band. I really enjoyed playing jazz and connected with other students to form a group that would meet more than just one weekend a year. And so the Perimeter Jazz Band was born! I asked my teacher, a retired Berklee professor to be our director. We meet biweekly, and have played public and private concerts. It's been an amazing experience for students from around the state to be in such a professional caliber ensemble. Putting this group together and managing it from filling positions, making music selections, scheduling rehearsals, all the way to working with our local theater for our big annual performance has been an amazing experience. It has solidified my goal of continuing to make music, increase in my technical skill, and pursue a Bachelors degree in Music Performance. I hope to impact the world through music by modeling and encouraging others to follow their passions of making music and performing with others. I want to be a professional musician so that I can bring music to others, especially back in my home community where I feel that the live music scene is lacking. This would allow others, especially students, the opportunity to play and grow as they develop as musicians. I want to go to college, learn as much as I can, then return to my community to bring more high caliber, live music to the area. I want to inspire more people to explore musical opportunities and grow in their abilities. I hope to impact the world through music by modeling and encouraging others to follow their passions of making music. I've been fortunate to have great instructors and directors along my journey who have encouraged and challenged me to push the limits of my abilities. I want the opportunity to pay that forward. I never expected to fall in love with music like I did. Someone once said to me, "Remember, the opposite of depression isn't joy, it's expression. So whatever you do, don't lose feeling when you're making music." I can't imagine making music any other way.

Music speaks to me, especially jazz! It reaches my innermost being and touches my soul. I first started playing the violin in fourth grade. In seventh grade, my band director saw I was a strong musician and suggested I start playing a "bigger violin" - the upright bass. I did give it a try and fell in love! I couldn't get enough and started taking private lessons. This was during the pandemic, so at first all the lessons were done remotely. I kept up with lessons and practicing and learning new music as much as I could. In ninth grade I made it into the NH All-State Orchestra. The following year I made it into both the orchestra and the jazz band. I really enjoyed playing jazz and connected with other students to form a group that would meet more than just one weekend a year. And so the Perimeter Jazz Band was born! I asked my teacher, a retired Berklee professor to be our director. We meet biweekly, and have played public and private concerts. It's been an amazing experience for students from around the state to be in such a professional caliber ensemble. Putting this group together and managing it from filling positions, making music selections, scheduling rehearsals, all the way to working with our local theater for our big annual performance has been an amazing experience. It has solidified my goal of continuing to make music, increase in my technical skill, and pursue a Bachelors degree in Music Performance. I hope to impact the world through music by modeling and encouraging others to follow their passions of making music and performing with others. I want to be a professional musician so that I can bring music to others, especially back in my home community where I feel that the live music scene is lacking. This would allow others, especially students, the opportunity to play and grow as they develop as musicians. I want to go to college, learn as much as I can, then return to my community to bring more high caliber, live music to the area. I want to inspire more people to explore musical opportunities and grow in their abilities. I hope to impact the world through music by modeling and encouraging others to follow their passions of making music. I've been fortunate to have great instructors and directors along my journey who have encouraged and challenged me to push the limits of my abilities. I want the opportunity to pay that forward. I never expected to fall in love with music like I did. Someone once said to me, "Remember, the opposite of depression isn't joy, it's expression. So whatever you do, don't lose feeling when you're making music." I can't imagine making music any other way.

Music speaks to me, especially jazz! It reaches my innermost being and touches my soul. I first started playing the violin in fourth grade. In seventh grade, my band director saw I was a strong musician and suggested I start playing a "bigger violin" - the upright bass. I did give it a try and fell in love! I couldn't get enough and started taking private lessons. This was during the pandemic, so at first all the lessons were done remotely. I kept up with lessons and practicing and learning new music as much as I could. In ninth grade I made it into the NH All-State Orchestra. The following year I made it into both the orchestra and the jazz band. I really enjoyed playing jazz and connected with other students to form a group that would meet more than just one weekend a year. And so the Perimeter Jazz Band was born! I asked my teacher, a retired Berklee professor to be our director. We meet biweekly, and have played public and private concerts. It's been an amazing experience for students from around the state to be in such a professional caliber ensemble. Putting this group together and managing it from filling positions, making music selections, scheduling rehearsals, all the way to working with our local theater for our big annual performance has been an amazing experience. It has solidified my goal of continuing to make music, increase in my technical skill, and pursue a Bachelors degree in Music Performance. I hope to impact the world through music by modeling and encouraging others to follow their passions of making music and performing with others. I want to be a professional musician so that I can bring music to others, especially back in my home community where I feel that the live music scene is lacking. This would allow others, especially students, the opportunity to play and grow as they develop as musicians. I want to go to college, learn as much as I can, then return to my community to bring more high caliber, live music to the area. I want to inspire more people to explore musical opportunities and grow in their abilities. I hope to impact the world through music by modeling and encouraging others to follow their passions of making music. I've been fortunate to have great instructors and directors along my journey who have encouraged and challenged me to push the limits of my abilities. I want the opportunity to pay that forward. I never expected to fall in love with music like I did. Someone once said to me, "Remember, the opposite of depression isn't joy, it's expression. So whatever you do, don't lose feeling when you're making music." I can't imagine making music any other way.

Music speaks to me, especially jazz! It reaches my innermost being and touches my soul. I first started playing the violin in fourth grade. In seventh grade, my band director saw I was a strong musician and suggested I start playing a "bigger violin" - the upright bass. I did give it a try and fell in love! I couldn't get enough and started taking private lessons. This was during the pandemic, so at first all the lessons were done remotely. I kept up with lessons and practicing and learning new music as much as I could. In ninth grade I made it into the NH All-State Orchestra. The following year I made it into both the orchestra and the jazz band. I really enjoyed playing jazz and connected with other students to form a group that would meet more than just one weekend a year. And so the Perimeter Jazz Band was born! I asked my teacher, a retired Berklee professor to be our director. We meet biweekly, and have played public and private concerts. It's been an amazing experience for students from around the state to be in such a professional caliber ensemble. Putting this group together and managing it from filling positions, making music selections, scheduling rehearsals, all the way to working with our local theater for our big annual performance has been an amazing experience. It has solidified my goal of continuing to make music, increase in my technical skill, and pursue a Bachelors degree in Music Performance. I hope to impact the world through music by modeling and encouraging others to follow their passions of making music and performing with others. I want to be a professional musician so that I can bring music to others, especially back in my home community where I feel that the live music scene is lacking. This would allow others, especially students, the opportunity to play and grow as they develop as musicians. I want to go to college, learn as much as I can, then return to my community to bring more high caliber, live music to the area. I want to inspire more people to explore musical opportunities and grow in their abilities. I hope to impact the world through music by modeling and encouraging others to follow their passions of making music. I've been fortunate to have great instructors and directors along my journey who have encouraged and challenged me to push the limits of my abilities. I want the opportunity to pay that forward. I think music is as important to society as language is. It's a way of communicating. Music allows people to express themselves freely. Music has no boundaries. It doesn't matter who you are or where you come from, we can all express ourselves! And we can listen to music that stirs our souls. Music allows us to describes our feelings.

Music speaks to me, especially jazz! It reaches my innermost being and touches my soul. I first started playing the violin in fourth grade. In seventh grade, my band director saw I was a strong musician and suggested I start playing a "bigger violin" - the upright bass. I did give it a try and fell in love! I couldn't get enough and started taking private lessons. This was during the pandemic, so at first all the lessons were done remotely. I kept up with lessons and practicing and learning new music as much as I could. In ninth grade I made it into the NH All-State Orchestra. The following year I made it into both the orchestra and the jazz band. I really enjoyed playing jazz and connected with other students to form a group that would meet more than just one weekend a year. And so the Perimeter Jazz Band was born! I asked my teacher, a retired Berklee professor to be our director. We meet biweekly, and have played public and private concerts. It's been an amazing experience for students from around the state to be in such a professional caliber ensemble. Putting this group together and managing it from filling positions, making music selections, scheduling rehearsals, all the way to working with our local theater for our big annual performance has been an amazing experience. It has solidified my goal of continuing to make music, increase in my technical skill, and pursue a Bachelors degree in Music Performance. I hope to impact the world through music by modeling and encouraging others to follow their passions of making music and performing with others. I want to be a professional musician so that I can bring music to others, especially back in my home community where I feel that the live music scene is lacking. This would allow others, especially students, the opportunity to play and grow as they develop as musicians. I want to go to college, learn as much as I can, then return to my community to bring more high caliber, live music to the area. I want to inspire more people to explore musical opportunities and grow in their abilities. I hope to impact the world through music by modeling and encouraging others to follow their passions of making music. I've been fortunate to have great instructors and directors along my journey who have encouraged and challenged me to push the limits of my abilities. I want the opportunity to pay that forward. I never expected to fall in love with music like I did. Someone once said to me, "Remember, the opposite of depression isn't joy, it's expression. So whatever you do, don't lose feeling when you're making music." I can't imagine making music any other way.

My field of interest is music. I have chosen music because not only does playing it feel great when I play, but it also brings a lot of joy to the community, as there is a really good following for music! One of my current goals is to improve the local jazz scene, connect musicians, and make good music! I’ve been working towards this by organizing and leading an all-star, all-student jazz big band. The goal is to get the higher level students together, so they can play the actual arrangements that some of the jazz greats used. Another benefit that this band gives is that it brings students from different schools together. A lot of students struggle in jazz programs, especially in smaller schools because there generally aren’t as many people there who are passionate enough about the music. My goal to combat this is to gather as many student jazz musicians as possible and have them keep playing, especially after the high school or college level, as lots of people will stop playing after high school or college. As unfortunate as it is, there are a lot of musicians that don’t have a place to continue playing. Another problem that my area has is that there aren’t any consistent jazz jams. For a jazz jam to happen, someone has to organize it, and it’s usually held at their house. Unfortunately, there aren’t any public ones anywhere nearby. The closest one that I know of is a little bit over an hour away from my house, and it’s right outside of Boston. Organizing and running a jazz jam would definitely be on my list of things to do to help grow the community and provide more and more opportunities for students to develop their musical talents, giving them a positive environment to thrive in.

My field of interest is music. I have chosen music because not only does playing it feel great, but it also brings a lot of joy to the community, as there is a really good following for music. One of my current goals is to improve the jazz scene, connect musicians, and make good music! I’ve been working towards this by organizing and leading an all-student jazz big band. The goal is to get the higher level students together, so they can play the actual arrangements that some of the jazz greats used! Another benefit that this band gives is that it brings students from different schools together. A lot of students struggle in jazz programs, especially in smaller schools because there generally aren’t as many people there who are passionate enough about the music. My goal to combat this is to gather as many jazz musicians as possible and have them keep playing, especially after the high school or college level, as lots of people will stop playing after high school and college. As unfortunate as it is, there are a lot of them that don’t have a reason to continue playing. Another problem that my area has is that there aren’t any consistent jazz jams. For a jazz jam to happen, someone has to organize it, and it’s usually held at their house. Unfortunately, there aren’t any public ones anywhere near. The closest one that I know of is a little bit over an hour away from my house, and it’s right outside of Boston. Organizing and running a jazz jam would definitely be on my list of things to do to help grow local musical community so that other aspiring musicians wouldn't have to travel so far.