Music has always been more than just a passion for me—it’s how I make sense of who I am and the world around me. As a first-generation college student and a Black woman, I’ve often had to find my voice in spaces where I wasn’t always expected to belong. Music became the space where I could be fully myself, and now it’s at the heart of what I want to do professionally and personally. I’m a junior at Middle Tennessee State University, majoring in Recording Industry with a focus in Commercial Songwriting. Under the artist name Elisea, I write and release songs that explore themes like identity, growth, and belonging. For me, music is a form of storytelling—and a tool for cultural connection. I didn’t grow up with private lessons or fancy equipment, but I did grow up with a deep curiosity and love for learning. In 2017, I started a YouTube channel to share my original songs and covers, and that space became a way to grow, connect, and push past perfectionism. Alongside making music, I’m currently interning at Concord Music Publishing in Nashville as an A&R Research Intern. I spend my days analyzing data, tracking artist growth, and supporting both the A&R and sync licensing teams. It’s shown me how powerful creative work behind the scenes can be—especially in shaping which voices and stories get heard. After graduation, I hope to work in sync or creative A&R full-time, while continuing to write for other artists and develop my own music career. I want to help build a music industry that reflects more kinds of people, stories, and sounds—especially those that don’t always get the spotlight. Outside of music, I try to give back however I can. I’ve volunteered at Rutherford County’s animal shelter, walking and socializing dogs to help them prepare for adoption. I donate regularly to MTSU’s food pantry, knowing even small gestures can lift a burden off someone’s shoulders. I also work as a writing tutor on campus, helping other students—many of whom are first-gen like me—build confidence in their voices. One student I worked with barely spoke English when we started. Over time, she opened up, started chatting more, and began to believe in herself. That experience stuck with me because it reminded me how powerful encouragement and patience can be. Alice M. Williams’ legacy as an educator and advocate for the arts is inspiring to me. Like her, I believe in the power of learning, creativity, and giving back. I want to use my career to support artists, celebrate cultural stories, and help others feel seen—whether through a songwriting session, signing a life-changing record deal, or simply showing up as someone who made it through and reached back. This scholarship would mean more than just financial help. It would be a vote of confidence in the work I’ve put in and the future I’m building—not just for myself, but for others who’ve ever felt overlooked or underestimated. I’m committed to creating meaningful change, one song, story, and step at a time.

“The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” — Pablo Picasso Before I was born, my parents faced three years of heartbreak trying to conceive. I was their final hope before they planned to stop trying. At birth, my umbilical cord was tightly wrapped around my neck, cutting off oxygen, and in my first week, a high fever nearly took me from them. Surviving those first fragile days was more than chance—it was a calling. That calling influences every choice I make. Growing up, I learned resilience isn’t always loud; it’s found in quiet acts of kindness and perseverance. I’ve committed to community service not because I had to, but because it grounds me and connects me to others. I regularly donate to my university’s food pantry, knowing how a small gesture can ease the deep burden of hunger. Volunteering at Rutherford County’s animal shelter, I walk and socialize dogs who have faced abandonment—helping them rediscover trust and prepare for new homes. At Middle Tennessee State University, I serve as an Academic Writing Coach for students of all backgrounds—first-generation college students, international students, and adults returning after years away. One student started our sessions speaking English only when absolutely necessary, closed off by fear and doubt. Over months, she began meeting me outside sessions just to talk about life, her confidence blooming. Watching her transform her fear into curiosity reminded me that growth, like life itself, is a journey—often quiet, sometimes slow, but deeply rewarding. Supporting her was more than teaching—it was creating space for a voice that was ready to be heard. I’m also interning at Concord Music Publishing, gaining experience in A&R and sync licensing. While I am the only Black woman in my internship cohort, I’m energized by working alongside diverse peers striving to change an industry long lacking representation. Seeing vibrant artists—like queer icon Chappell Roan and boundary-pushing creative Lil Uzi Vert—reshape the music landscape fuels my passion. I don’t just want to build a career; I want to help create a future where artists from all backgrounds can thrive and tell their stories authentically. My presence in the office isn’t just for me—it’s proof that others like me belong, that barriers can be broken. Academically, I’ve maintained a 4.0 GPA and earned Dean’s List honors every semester since 2022. Yet, the financial burden of college is real. I rely on my family’s support for essentials and have sacrificed holidays and family reunions to stay focused on my education. Receiving this scholarship would ease that burden and signal confidence in my journey—a vital step toward making a lasting difference. The impact I hope to make is woven through small, meaningful moments: a tutoring session that sparks confidence, a pantry shelf stocked with hope, a dog’s renewed trust in humanity, or a young Black woman walking confidently into an industry that once overlooked her. These moments may be quiet, but their echoes ripple far beyond what I can see. I was given resilience and hope so early in life, and I am committed to giving those gifts back—through every act of service, one step at a time—helping others realize they are never truly invisible.

“Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” — Desmond Tutu What makes me different is that I’ve always made an impact quietly—through service, consistency, and being present even when no one’s watching. I’ve participated in community service my entire life; no opportunity means a thing if I’m not bringing others with me. I regularly donate to my university’s food pantry because I understand the impact a quiet gesture can have when you’re struggling. I volunteer at Rutherford County’s animal shelter, walking dogs and helping socialize animals so they remember human kindness is still out there. I also stay involved in campus activism, supporting other minority students and providing them with a much-needed community. These actions remind me that even the smallest efforts can create meaningful connections and lasting change, especially for those who feel unseen or unheard. Further, I’m the first in my family to attend college. That brings a constant pressure to succeed not just for myself, but for my parents, my community, and even strangers who might not believe someone like me belongs in the rooms I’m entering. I’m interning at Concord Music Publishing, learning the business side of A&R and sync licensing. I love it—but minority representation in this industry is still growing. So when I walk into the office, I’m not just showing up as a student—I’m proof that young Black women deserve to be there. And somewhere, someone is watching my footsteps and realizing they can belong too. As a young Black woman striving to work in the business side of music—sync and A&R—an industry largely dominated by white men, I navigate every space knowing my presence carries weight. Every decision I make and move I take is under close watch. I’m not only building my career but also paving the way for those who follow. This responsibility takes boldness, and I carry it proudly. When I show up to class, internship, and community events—I’m gaining more than experience and connections. I’m creating space for those who come after me. To the freshmen who hear me share stories about navigating college and the professional world as one of the only Black women in the room. To the student picking up groceries from the pantry and realizing someone cared enough to stock the shelf. To the child walking into a shelter and finding the dog I helped prepare for a new home. I may never know who’s watching—but I hope they see me and feel permission to take up space as they are. Academically, I maintain a 4.0 GPA and have been on the Dean’s List since starting college in 2022. Despite these achievements, the financial burden of college remains a challenge. I rely on family support for basic expenses and have sacrificed important moments—like holiday travel and reunions—to afford my education. Receiving this scholarship would be more than financial relief; it would be a vote of confidence from you, Ms. Angela King, as I work toward my dreams in the music industry. Gladys Ruth believed in being unapologetically yourself while helping others do the same. That’s the legacy I carry every day. My path is layered with music, service, and community exchange—and that’s what makes life meaningful. And as Michelle Obama wrote, “There’s nothing easy about finding your way through a world loaded with obstacles that others can't or don't see.” I carry the strength and resilience of those who made my path possible, and now I hope to be that strength for generations to come.

Music is my language for connection, healing, and storytelling. As a Black, first-generation college student pursuing a degree in Recording Industry with a focus in Commercial Songwriting, I believe art has the power to bridge cultures and amplify underrepresented voices. Through my creative identity as Elisea, I share original songs, covers, and personal creative experiments. Some videos are polished, others are raw—but they’re all reflections of a voice that is uniquely my own. Sharing my work online has helped me push past perfectionism and claim space as an artist who’s still becoming. It reminds me to just be real, just be Elisea. One of the most meaningful moments in my journey came while studying abroad in Korea. I performed at my university’s end-of-year student and artist event, singing songs in both Korean and English to a mixed audience of Korean and American students. That day, I saw firsthand how music can bridge cultures and spark connections that might never happen otherwise. It deepened my belief that art has the power to unite us across differences and create community. Through my live audio production work at WMOT radio station, I have had the incredible opportunity to meet artists like Devon Gilfillian. Seeing how grounded, authentic, and passionate he remains while growing in the industry is truly inspiring. Those personal interactions remind me why I love music and supporting artists’ real stories. Currently, during my internship at Concord, I am discovering my passion for A&R—helping to shape and elevate diverse voices behind the scenes, not just chasing hits or numbers. I want to bring that same authenticity to my work and create space for underrepresented artists to be heard. Through music, my goal is to make a positive impact by creating a community that inspires listeners who may feel unseen or unheard, especially those from minority backgrounds or cross-cultural communities. Beyond my own music, I hope to write for artists in K-pop, film, and television to help tell stories that celebrate cultural fusion and challenge traditional boundaries. I want to be the kind of person who builds bridges: between cultures, between creators and audiences, and between stories and sound. Winning this scholarship would not only support my education–it would empower me to continue developing music that connects, heals, and uplifts.

Music has always been more than just sound for me—it’s how I’ve made sense of who I am. As a Black woman and first-generation college student, I’ve often navigated spaces that weren’t necessarily built for someone like me. Music became the one space I could shape myself. It’s been a retelling of my past, a guide for my future, and a refuge for my present—and now, it’s the foundation of both my creative and professional life. I’m currently a junior at Middle Tennessee State University, majoring in Recording Industry with a concentration in Commercial Songwriting. I also release music under the name Elisea, where I blend English and Korean lyrics to tell stories about identity, emotional growth, and cross-cultural connection. My work draws from K-pop, R&B, and alternative rock—genres that have always made me feel seen, even when nothing else did. My musical background has been largely self-built. I didn’t grow up with private lessons or expensive equipment, but I grew up with passion and curiosity. In 2017, I launched my YouTube channel under the name just._.elisea, where I began sharing original songs, covers, and personal creative experiments. Some videos are polished, others are raw—but they’re all reflections of a voice I’m learning to trust. Sharing my work online has helped me push past perfectionism and claim space as an artist who’s still becoming. It reminds me to just be real, just be Elisea. Outside of my personal music, I’m currently a Summer 2025 A&R Research Intern at Concord in Nashville, where I use tools like Luminate and Chartmetric to track artist growth, analyze trends, and support scouting decisions. More recently, I’ve also been assisting the A&R Sync team, managing a show and music catalog that helps inform music placements in TV and film. Working in A&R has shown me how much influence can exist behind the scenes—where someone like me can help shape what kinds of voices are amplified and heard. After graduating in Spring 2026, I hope to pursue a full-time role in sync or creative A&R, while continuing to release music as Elisea and write for other artists—especially in K-pop, tv shows, and global media. I want to be the kind of professional who builds bridges: between cultures, between creators and audiences, and between stories and sound. What drives me most is the desire to make the industry more inclusive—not just for myself, but for the next generation of artists who’ve never seen someone like them thrive in these roles. I know what it’s like to feel invisible in a room, and I want to help others feel seen. Whether that’s through a lyric, a sync placement, or mentoring fellow minority artists one day, I plan to use every part of my journey to pull others forward with me. This scholarship would mean more than financial relief—it would be a vote of confidence in everything I’ve fought to build from scratch. I’m not just studying music because I love it—I’m studying it because I believe in its power to include, heal, and tell the stories that still need to be told.