I just spent the past two weeks at the Wheaton College Summer Institute, studying piano performance. Throughout my two weeks living on campus, I had many opportunities for collaboration. From private lessons, duet work, group classes, discussions, and even worship in Chapel, collaboration was happening everywhere! One of the classes I took at the Summer Institute was a book discussion class. The President of Wheaton College, Dr. Phillip Ryken's book, "Art for God's Sake", urged us to think about the reason for making art. This class was extremely engaging, and such a great learning environment. Why? Because of the constant collaboration! The music performance students and I were always listening to others' perspectives. We would build on what others had to say. We worked together to understand art for God's sake. The friends I made in the music performance class grew substantially in our perspective of what it means to create art for the glory of God. I believe that this collaborative experience will stick with all of us for many years to come. Duet lessons were another class I had the opportunity to participate in. This particular experience taught me a great deal about collaborating as a musician. My professor emphasized the need to sound like one pianist when we played together. We had to be actively listening to the other musician and ourselves. And this is collaborative piano! In the end, our duet was a success at the final recital, thanks to our collaboration in creating beautiful music. Chapel was a transformative experience. Worship in singing was a large part of the Chapel services. Imagine an entire concert hall filled with students raising their voices together. Worship is personal, yet in a way, we were collaborating to worship the Lord! A choir of voices singing their praises together for the glory of God! Thanks to the Wheaton College Summer Institute, my knowledge of collaboration has grown. I grew closer to God and made many wonderful friends that I still keep in touch with! That is collaboration. Making connections. Working together towards a common goal and building lasting relationships along the way. Much of what I end up doing as a musician will probably be collaborative. I feel prepared for my collaborative future because I know what collaboration means. I have learned that, together as artists, we can accomplish so much more than we could on our own. Collaboration is a gift, and I hope we will never take that for granted.

I just spent the past two weeks at the Wheaton College Summer Institute studying piano performance, and it was the most transformative experience of my life. Throughout my two weeks living on campus, I participated in private lessons, group classes, book discussions, chapel, dorm devotions, and excursions into Chicago. In our book discussion class, the music performance students spoke about what it meant to create art for God's sake. My classmates and I built on each other's perspectives of the book to grow in our understanding of the arts. Art should be good, true, and beautiful. Art should glorify God. The friends I made in the music performance class grew substantially in our understanding of the arts from a Christian perspective, and I believe that these discussions will be with us always. Chapel was a time of learning more about God and myself. Worship in singing was a large part of the Chapel. Professors of the college spoke throughout the two weeks about important topics such as the love of God, what it means to follow Him, and even about the philosophy of the Trinity of God. It was the most incredible thing to be surrounded by a community of dedicated Christians. I grew closer to God, and made wonderful Christian friends that will last this lifetime, and for eternity. This is the "WHY"! Even in a world where the arts are underappreciated, looked over, and even sinful, I will continue to make music for the glory of God. Technology and AI will never be able to replace the purely humanness of the creativity of true music. I believe that in this day and age, where everyday tasks are becoming easier with technology, the small things will become more appreciated. Emotional connections with others will be more valued. Art created by people will become highly esteemed. A return to the arts will become a human necessity. My life is not mine, but it belongs to the Lord. I will continue to make music for Him.

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. How was I supposed to do all the fun things I liked to do at eight years old when all my time was spent trying to learn an instrument I had no interest in? 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. Music has been an instrumental part of my educational journey as well as my life journey. I firmly believe that taking part in private lessons and music classes at school has greatly increased my educational value. Music has enriched my school experience, and brought students, teachers and I together. I finally decided I wanted to pursue 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 fully realize the power of music. I found a passion in teaching, when I started teaching private piano lessons at fourteen years old. I have now held a private piano studio in my town for over a year, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity and experience. I now want to become a piano teacher, while balancing a professional career as a pianist and opera singer. I want to thank my parents for signing me up for piano lessons and for making me practice even when I didn't want to. I want to thank the multiple piano teachers I have had, for encouraging me to continue and making lessons fun! I want to thank the music teachers at school I've had for enriching my knowledge of music, and my school experience. I want to thank my pastor and the director at the nursing home, for giving me chances to volunteer doing what I love. I have been incredibly lucky to have had all of these individuals in my life, and I truly don't know where I'd be without them, or music.