My name is Anna Zhang, and I am a high school bassoonist studying under Daniel Matsukawa, Principal Bassoon of The Philadelphia Orchestra. Throughout my life and as a child, I have been drawn to music and the power of music to transform lives and bring people together. I have participated in many ensembles, festivals, and masterclasses, but I was always immensely grateful and fortunate to be supported by many music nonprofit organizations because although I always love listening to classical music and playing instruments, becoming a professional musician was like an unreachable dream. However, despite the financial challenges, many organizations have trusted my potential, guided me, and provided me with the resources that I need to pursue my passion, allowing me to join different programs helping my communities, and be admitted to universities and music schools. By pursuing a college degree in Bassoon Music Performance on a full-tuition scholarship at the Manhattan School of Music and studying under William Short, Principal Bassoon of The Metropolitan Opera, I aim to set a positive example for the community and inspire others that are younger than me that anyone can pursue and accomplish their passion despite any barriers or obstacles. At college, I want to thrive to become the best musician I can be in a diverse community with passionate peers, impressive facilities, and world-class faculty, developing musical fluency that will help me express my creative and musical ideas more clearly. What I am excited about most is that in college is that I can learn from and collaborate with some of the most renowned musicians and scholars in the world. Along with other passionate musicians in chamber groups, large ensembles, and fun side projects to foster a better world together. Many community and political leaders who attempt to fix a problem with legal restrictions are hindered by this reluctance toward change that an unhealthy mind harbors. In my life, music has always been a well of comfort that has helped me through many hard times of my own. Because of this, my goal is to use music to inspire, comfort, uplift, unlock clouded thoughts or excite unbridled joy in individuals and communities in the audience. Another goal I have after becoming a professional musician is to create a scholarship program that helps kids of all backgrounds to discover the wonders of music by providing them with opportunities in the same way the various scholarships I received did. My mother is a single parent who works at a senior daycare and has been supporting me on her own for many years, but my life has changed so much from initiatives like this, and it is part of my mission to help kids both in terms of musical growth and in terms of emotional and personal growth. This is one of many ways in which I hope to impact people with my music, and is part of why I continue to better myself as a musician every day that I can. Ultimately, my purpose in pursuing this degree is to inspire others through my music and use my talents to make a positive impact on the world. I believe that music has the power to create change, and I am eager to contribute to that change through my own performances and by creating opportunities for others to experience the joy and fulfillment from listening and making music. This journey is not easy, but I am committed to cultivating grit and resilience to achieve my long-term goals in music performance.