My mother’s dream was for me to play piano in church one day the way that she did. I was seven years old when she signed me up for my first piano lesson. The religion didn’t stick, but the passion for music certainly did. And I did play in church- which did wonders for my ability to read four-part harmony! I played my way through every Alfred book and many Christian hymns all the way through high school. In the fifth grade, I begged my parents to let me join band. I chose percussion because of my piano experience. Band quickly became a place of safety and joy for me. Junior high school was when I began to realize how much I truly loved the band world. I watched my director conduct and thought, “I want to do that.” So I put my all into music. I auditioned for and was accepted into district ensembles four years in a row, receiving an all-state recommendation one of the years. I would come home saying, “I wish I had band all day like that every day!” I had considered majoring in music on and off by the time the COVID-19 pandemic hit. I was a junior in high school and had just started taking private percussion lessons. How was I to prepare for auditions as a percussionist with no instruments at home? I sent emails to my band director and school principal and received the go-ahead to take a marimba home until college auditions were over. My older brother and I wheeled a marimba one mile from the school to our home, over a bridge on a hot summer day. I practiced intensely that year and it paid off- I was accepted to every school I auditioned for. Throughout college, I pursued each of my musical passions- serving as drumline captain, principal timpanist in our symphony orchestra, and playing in concert band. I have had the extraordinary opportunity to study advanced conducting with our wind symphony director, an accoladed conductor and composer in the concert band world. After graduation, I plan to take a music teaching job. My eventual goal is high school band. Through experience as a counselor at my university’s summer music camp, I’ve had the opportunity to work with young musicians and discovered my passion for it. I want to inspire and teach high school students to love music. I believe that I have the passion and education to inspire students to play because they love music. For this reason, I would be happy to teach general music or elementary music- through observing elementary teachers, I have discovered a love for the Orff methodology and plan to become certified in Orff teaching. I play music because I love music. I teach music because I want others to love music too.

Music is everywhere. It is a constant in all of our lives, whether we think it is or not. It is all around us- from a parent's lullaby to nature's birdsong to the tune playing at the grocery store. For me, the presence of music has not been coincidental. In times of trial and in times of joy, I choose to turn to music for comfort and support. I had entertained the idea of majoring in music for a few years, but the COVID-19 pandemic was what led me to commit. I was a junior in high school, locked in my house, unable to see friends or extended family. I realized that most of my hobbies were socially based. What was I to do? I decided to commit myself to practicing intensely, to better my musicianship and prepare for college auditions. I sent emails to my band director and school principal and received the go-ahead to take a marimba home until college auditions were over. My older brother and I wheeled a marimba one mile from the school to our home, over a bridge on a hot summer day. I spent hours every day in our basement, perfecting my technique and musicality. But the work that I put in had more payoff than I ever expected. Devoting so much time to my music taught me not only how to be a better musician, but things about myself. My sense of discipline has improved- I can make a plan and stick to it. I can hold myself accountable to achieving my goals because of music- not only this solo practice, but also in an ensemble setting, following through for the success of the group. In this digital age, our attention spans are becoming shorter and shorter. I've heard older generations complain that Gen Z and Gen Alpha "don't know how to be bored!" I hadn't realized just how short my attention span had become until I tried to practice for hours at a time. It just wasn't possible at the beginning. Through consciously planning out my practice time, I was able to train myself to focus for longer periods of time. This has benefited me not only in my ability to practice, but my ability to study, hold a conversation, complete a boring task, and just appreciate my surroundings. Music has changed my life interpersonally as well. I have been honored to hold many leadership positions within my ensembles, including drumline captain (3 years), section leader (5 years), and principal timpanist (1 year). These roles are more than just musical. I have learned patience, through working to teach both music and drill. Particularly with teaching newcomers or those who have learned incorrect technique in the past, consistent, patient, kind leadership is required. Every person needs to feel like their presence is valued in the ensemble- because it is! I have learned to be patient with those whose personalities may not be compatible with mine. My role as leader and educator goes far beyond what personal difficulties we may have with each other. Every musician deserves the chance to succeed, and to be treated with respect. One of the greatest ways music has changed my life is by giving me confidence. As an anxious person, I had to learn the hard way- if you spend your practice session or performance afraid of making mistakes, then you will. Trust yourself and your knowledge and technique. I am a confident leader and player because I let myself make those mistakes, and I learned from them.

Instagram: @jgracehall I am proud to be LGBTQ+ because love is love, and being gay has given me the chance to truly know that. This community is a place of beauty, where humanity at its core is celebrated. We work together as siblings to champion love, acceptance, and change.

More than one person, but meet my siblings. Stephen, 19, Natalie, 13, and Rebecca, 9. They are my rock. They make me laugh and cry and roll my eyes each and every day. They are the glue, the bond that holds are family together. Without them, I’d be losing my best cheerleaders, my best source of support, my best friends. Without them, my family could never be complete. When I leave for school, it won’t be my mom I call and text every day, it will be my brother and sisters. Even though sometimes they drive me crazy, I will always be eternally grateful for these three.