Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I've been singing my entire life; I used to gather my parents in the living room and perform songs I had (partially) memorized for them! However, when my parents signed me up for piano lessons when I was eight, I cried! I did not want to do piano lessons for some reason. Little did I know that piano lessons would change my life. Throughout the first year of lessons, I wanted to quit, but my amazing parents and teachers supported me, and I wouldn't be where I am now without them. I finally decided I wanted to do music after volunteering to play the piano at the nursing home in my community. After I had finished playing, an elderly man in a wheelchair came up to me with tears in his eyes. He didn't say a word but extended his hand to me. When I took it, he didn't let go. Again, he didn't speak, but his eyes said everything. My music had touched his heart. From then on, I knew music was what I must do. I now realize the power of music and have a passion for working with individuals with special needs. I found a passion in teaching, when I started teaching private piano lessons when I was 14. I now want to become a full time piano teacher and pianist.