Music is a connector and healing. It was in the summer of 2021 that we lost my Grandpa Jun, Grandpa Frankie, and Uncle Luke back-to-back in the span of 3 weeks. In 2022, we lost my Grandma Eden, my namesake. And last year, we lost my Grandma Claire and my Grandpa "Boy" in the span of 2 weeks. My Uncle Luke, the best snare drummer is his day, taught me rudiments and other vocabulary. My Grandpa Jun strung the guitar to oldies. My Grandpa Boy would blast Motown classics. My Grandma Eden would dance to all kinds of music, with her favorite moments watching me play on the drumset whether at home or, a memory I hold onto, during my first time performing with the Latin Jazz Youth Ensemble of SF (for it turned out to be a few months before she passed). Music played a part in their lives, so it's no wonder that playing music is integral to mine. I carry each of them with me and know they are smiling down with joy each time I play. You can imagine how these losses impacted my family these past few years. With each loss, I would come up with a music offering. I curated a playlist with their favorite songs. During my Grandma Eden's celebration of life event, I honored her by performing with a local band songs she'd love. With my extended family together, I started a jam session with each involved in some way, whether on the piano, congas, guiro, drumset, block, etc. On a "regular" day, my younger brother and I jam at home and sometimes invite my parents to join us. They often say that it's like a personal concert each time. In all these instances, the most fulfilling moment is seeing my mom, my pops, my aunties and uncles, and my cousins deal with loss. I witnessed how playing music helped my family. The music helps them connect with their feelings and together we can be there for each other. Each time I play music and bring others in, it helps us remember, celebrate, and honor our loved ones. And collectively, we continue to heal. I plan to hone my craft as a musician through my learning experience at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music to continue to provide the positive impact of music as a connector and healing for others.