My name is Kira Sarriegui-Simon and I am a 3rd year Global Jazz Studies major at UCLA. I aspire to become a certified music therapist and use my art as force for healing as well as social change and community engagement. For me, music and community have always gone hand in hand, shaping my commitment to service. My experiences attending a performing arts high school heavily influenced the way I approach service and community engagement. Growing up I had the opportunity to sing at fundraisers, use art to advocate for social change, and collaborate with local artists. Through these experiences I found a purpose. I was able to give back to my community while doing what I love most, sharing my art. My work with Music Changing Lives (MCL), opened my eyes to the socioeconomic gaps in society that make it significantly more difficult for underserved communities to recover from disasters such as the Los Angeles fires. Music Changing Lives is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing music education to underserved youth as well as delivering aid to vulnerable individuals impacted by natural disasters. Through our Heal Dena Initiative, I contributed my efforts to organize clothing and food drives, community music events, and organized collaborations with other mutual aid resources. These experiences allowed me to directly help families in need, inspiring me to continue my dedication to service in the years to come, and sparking my interest in music therapy. My long term goal is to become a certified music therapist and use my art as a force for healing others. I would like to support young children and elderly people with neurological or developmental disabilities, as well as people recovering from trauma and natural disasters. In addition, I am committed to continuing to use my art to advocate for social change. By actively participating in benefit concerts, charity events, and collaborations with organizations dedicated to addressing issues that are important to me such as music education for underserved youth, disaster relief for vulnerable communities, and immigration law, I can use my music to make a tangible impact. I truly believe music can be an incredible force for good, and I feel that using my art to help others is my purpose.

My name is Kira Sarriegui and I am a 2nd year Global Jazz Studies major at UCLA. I aspire to become a touring and recording artist, sharing my music with audiences around the world and using my art to advocate for causes that are important to me including immigration law, art’s education, and social justice. I am also deeply interested in the intersection between music and psychology, and using music as a force for healing. For me, music and community have always gone hand in hand, shaping my commitment to service. My experiences attending a performing arts high school heavily influenced the way I approach service and community engagement. Growing up I had the opportunity to sing at fundraisers, use art to advocate for social change, and collaborate with local artists. Through these experiences I found a purpose. I was able to give back to my community while doing what I love most, sharing my art. My commitment to service has continued through College Corps, a program that has empowered me to use my skills and knowledge to make a positive impact in my community by dedicating 450 hours to community service. College Corps has helped me expand my avenues of service to not only art, but also K-12 education. At 24th Street Elementary, I had the opportunity to teach cooking, composting and gardening classes to kids. I saw how incredibly capable these students were, despite having limited access to resources and felt so inspired by their willingness to learn and grow. My time at 24th Street reiterated to me how important it is to fill these gaps in education to the best of our ability so that every child is able to succeed. Equity doesn’t just come from giving equal access to all students regardless of race or socioeconomic status, it comes from meeting students where they are at, and providing extra support to students who are already vulnerable and historically underserved. Similarly, my work with Music Changing Lives (MCL), has opened my eyes to the socioeconomic gaps in society that make it significantly more difficult for underserved communities to recover from unprecedented events such as the Los Angeles fires. Music Changing Lives is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing music education to underserved youth as well as delivering aid to vulnerable individuals impacted by natural disasters. As a fellow at MCL, I have observed how impactful service is for at-risk communities who are recovering in times of struggle. Through our Heal Dena Initiative, I have contributed my efforts to organize clothing and food drives, community art and self-care events, and organized collaborations with other mutual aid resources. These experiences have allowed me to directly help families in need, inspiring me to continue my dedication to service in the years to come. My long term goal is to use my art to advocate for equity and visibility for women of color in jazz. I hope to one day give back to my high school, Oakland school for the Arts, where I first found my love for singing, and create spaces where young women feel welcomed, supported, and confident in their abilities. Furthermore, I believe in leveraging my position as a musician or music scholar to engage in fundraising events and initiatives that support causes that are important to me. By actively participating in benefit concerts, charity events, and collaborations with organizations dedicated to addressing these issues, I can use my music to make a tangible impact. I look forward to continuing to use my art as a form of activism and community engagement.

As a jazz vocalist, one of the biggest challenges I have faced, and continue to face in the music industry, is the lack of representation. Women are heavily under-represented in Jazz, and as a woman of color myself, this feeling is all too familiar. I have found myself time and time again hesitating to speak up or insert myself into situations that I know would contribute to my growth as a musician, for fear that I will be dismissed, judged, seen as “annoying” or “too much”. I struggle to relate to my peers, who are oftentimes white men, and who are almost immediately accepted into the same spaces that to me feel scary, daunting, and overwhelming. The music industry is incredibly flawed, and although this issue has been very difficult for me to deal with, it also inspires me to create change so that future generations of women of color feel more accepted in the music industry and specifically in the Jazz scene. I am learning to remove any doubt from my mind and be persistent in my efforts to fight against this narrative that has been constructed surrounding women, and specifically women of color. As someone who has found incredible comfort in organizations on my campus, such as the Latin American Student Organization, the Lebanese Student Association, and the student retention programs, I understand how important it is for students of color to feel like they have a safe space and a sense of community. I believe creating spaces like this in the music industry, particularly for youth, could be incredibly beneficial and give BIPOC a better chance at being successful in the industry. I plan on using my platform to create music projects for underserved youth, providing opportunities to develop their talent and artistic voices, and learn how to use their platform to contribute to different causes that they are passionate about. Given the underrepresentation of women in jazz, I also envision creating ensembles featuring the music of BIPOC, female artists, and other underrepresented groups. I hope that my efforts will help provide more visibility for groups that have historically been underrepresented in the music industry and inspire youth to follow their dreams, no matter what their background or circumstances are. This is incredibly important to me as a woman of color and one of my biggest goals as a musician. Music is an incredible force with the power to unite and heal people, and no one should have to feel like they are out of place in this industry.

One of the biggest challenges I have faced and continue to face in my education is the lack of representation in the music industry, specifically in Jazz. Women are heavily under-represented in Jazz, and as a woman of color myself, this feeling is all too familiar. I have found myself time and time again hesitating to speak up or insert myself into situations that I know would contribute to my growth as a musician, for fear that I will be dismissed, judged, seen as “annoying” or “too much”. I struggle to relate to my peers, who are oftentimes white men, and who are almost immediately accepted into the same spaces that to me feel scary, daunting, and overwhelming. As a woman, I am utterly aware that I am not held to the same standard as my male peers. I must be perfect at all times, make no mistakes, accept criticism with a smile, and move on. Nothing more, nothing less. This feels extremely degrading and unfair. Because we are already looked down upon and the assumption is that we are not good enough, as women, we must constantly fight to prove our male counterparts wrong. We must be assertive, outspoken, fearless, and strong-willed. We must prove ourselves time and time again to be considered equal to them. Although I am still overcoming this struggle, I have already learned a lot along the way. I am slowly but surely inserting myself into spaces that, although they may feel uncomfortable, I know will push me to become a better musician. I have joined various ensembles, such as the Afro-Cuban Ensemble and the African American Music Ensemble, that have pushed me out of my comfort zone to study music that I have never sung before, despite feeling afraid of being judged and being one of the only girls. I have also made an effort to expand my circle and get to know my peers, which has made it possible for me to participate in and be invited to more events and music jams. Additionally, I am learning that having a strong support circle will have a significant impact on my college experience. I have joined various organizations within my university that help me feel more at home, such as the Latin American Student Org, and have connected with other Latinx music students as well as other women in my program. Although this issue has been very difficult for me to deal with, it also inspires me to create change so that future generations of women of color feel more accepted in the music industry and specifically in the Jazz scene. I am learning to remove any doubt from my mind and be persistent in my efforts to fight against this narrative that has been constructed surrounding women, and specifically women of color. Every day is a step forward as I embrace these uncomfortable feelings and continue to pursue my goals despite the inherent obstacles that have been placed in my way. My journey thus far has taught me to be resilient, confident, and dedicated, and to trust myself. I will not back down. I will continue to reach for my dreams no matter how difficult it may seem or how much I will need to overcome. Although I have moments of doubt, I am overcoming this challenge one day at a time and learning new lessons along the way.

Singing, a talent deeply rooted in my family heritage and personal passion, has become my most significant skill. Influenced by my father, a professional jazz pianist with a rich Latino heritage, my love for music started early. Singing karaoke in my room as a child laid the foundation, leading to formal lessons at the age of eleven, where my journey with music truly began. Attending an arts high school was a transformative experience, immersing me in a community of young artists. This environment and my father’s guidance and cultural background inspired me to grow daily, embrace risks, and seek excellence. Participating in the school choir boosted my confidence and taught me the value of connection – with my peers, my heritage, and myself. These connections enriched the music we created, blending diverse influences into a harmonious expression. My singing journey extended beyond personal growth to community engagement. Leveraging my voice, I participated in fundraisers such as Notes&Words and collaborated with local musicians such as Bay Area artist Goapele, echoing my father's commitment to using art for social impact. Music has always been a refuge for me throughout my life. No matter what I was going through at any particular moment, music has always served as a tool for self-expression and a way to process difficult emotions. Music has not only been a comfort in moments of solitude, but it has also allowed me to connect with others on a deeply emotional and spiritual level. In choir, I've seen how people who would normally never speak to each other or interact have come together to create beautiful music despite their differences. This power to transcend barriers is just one of the incredible things that music can do for us. In terms of my professional goals, through my studies in the fields of music and psychology, I would like to become a certified music therapist while being a musician and composer. Music is an art form that brings people of different backgrounds together. I would like to use music to foster awareness surrounding various issues such as climate change, social justice, and war. I hope to participate in fundraising events, donate profits to organizations supporting these causes, and create songs inspired by these issues. I would like to use my platform to create music workshops for the youth, providing opportunities to develop their talent and artistic voices, and learn how to use their platform to contribute to different causes that they are passionate about. Given the underrepresentation of women in jazz, I also envision creating ensembles featuring the music of BIPOC, female artists, and other underrepresented groups. Further, through music therapy, I would like to use music to help others on a more personal level by working in a general hospital or a school and having individual clients. Music therapy is an incredibly powerful practice that can profoundly impact the nervous system by slowing down heart rates, releasing muscle tension, and lowering blood pressure. One area that particularly interests me is Neonatal Music Therapy. Premature infants can receive powerful benefits through therapy as they grow and recover. There is nothing like human connection, especially for babies who are so vulnerable when first entering the world. In conclusion, pursuing a career in music is inherently beneficial for society as a whole. Music has the power to transcend cultural and linguistic barriers, bringing people together and fostering understanding and empathy. It provides an outlet for expression, healing, and personal growth. By creating and sharing music, I can contribute to the overall well-being of individuals and communities, particularly in times of strife and uncertainty.

To me, success is not measured by material wealth or fame. I define success by the impact you make on others, personal growth, and how you stay true to yourself throughout your journey. One of the biggest influences in my life is my father. He embodies the spirits of kindness, perseverance, integrity, and generosity - all traits I strive to embody. A Venezuelan-born jazz pianist, he immigrated to the U.S. at only 11 years old without speaking any English or having ever been to this country. He quickly learned what it meant to live on his own when his parents sent him to a boarding school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at age 15, where he studied piano and began gigging with his peers. Following high school, he attended the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and later the Manhattan School of Music, where he continued to refine his piano skills and began his study of classical music in addition to Jazz. After being quickly discovered by other reputable musicians in the scene, my dad started touring and was unable to finish college; however, he was able to sustain himself through his music. Despite dealing with the fear that many musicians face of not being able to sustain himself financially through his music, my father persevered and found a way to live a humble life doing what he loves most. Throughout his youth and into his adulthood, my dad has remained true to himself and his aspirations, despite any obstacles that stood in his way. He learned to speak a new language and was thrown into an entirely different culture, but still, he succeeded both in his artistic and academic endeavors and continued to pursue his dreams of building a career in music. Even as his career flourished and he became a father, his core values remained unchanged. He not only remained true to himself as he advanced in his career, but he made an effort to be an incredibly supportive father and husband to my mom, brother, and me. He made sure to stay involved in our lives, even while touring and working by showing up to important school events, helping me and my brother with homework and music, and being incredibly generous with his time. Coming from a family of immigrants with a father who immigrated from the Caribbean and a grandfather who immigrated from Lebanon, my dad has always been aware of the importance of keeping his culture alive and giving back to his community. Through his music, he has always found ways to reinvent the interaction between Latin music and Jazz, as well as incorporating his Caribbean and Middle Eastern roots. Through various projects such as his album Venezuelan Suite he has showcased the music of his culture and brought awareness to issues in Venezuela. This is incredibly inspiring to me because I believe as a musician, music scholar, or industry professional, it is essential to address pressing societal issues of our times through both my life and work. In conclusion, my father's accomplishments are deeply inspiring, but even more inspiring is his perseverance, generosity, kindness, and his ability to remain true to himself throughout his journey. I am incredibly proud to be his daughter and I hope to embody all these wonderful traits that he has displayed to me throughout my life. His example has shown me that true success means using your talents to bridge cultures, support family, and stay authentic to your values—principles I carry into my own aspirations in music and beyond.

I have had a diverse and extensive musical background, starting with several years of piano lessons at Stetson University in DeLand, Florida, beginning at the young age of 5. Later on, I had the opportunity to study privately with a talented instructor named Kate Campbell, which further developed my classical piano skills and repertoire. I embarked on vocal lessons at the age of 11 with Kyra Gordon, who helped me develop my voice and expand my repertoire as we focused on scales, modes, jazz standards, and pop songs, which also allowed me to diversify my vocal abilities and style. After audtioning and being admitted to the Oakland School for the Arts (OSA) for voice, I initially joined the "One Voice" choir led by Solas Lalgee during my freshman year and then progressed to the “Concert Choir” in my sophomore and junior years, where I was fortunate to work under the guidance of an accomplished choir director, Ms. Cava Menzies. I went on to join Vocal Rush, OSA's most advanced and competitive choir, led by the talented Ms. Sarah Vela. This experience was incredibly rewarding, as I had the opportunity to perform at renowned venues such as the SFJAZZ Center and give back to my community through performing at various charity events such as Notes&Words. Currently, I am majoring in Global Jazz Studies with a concentration in voice at the University of California, Los Angeles, where I'm gaining in-depth knowledge and technical skills required for a career as a jazz vocalist. Through this program, I will refine my understanding of jazz harmony, improvisation, and performance techniques, as well as learn music from all over the world. Collaborating with fellow students from other disciplines and working with esteemed faculty has exposed me to a rich musical community, fostering artistic growth and inspiring new collaborations. In terms of my professional goals, I aspire to become a touring and recording artist, sharing my music with audiences around the world. I am committed to pursuing a career in music and making a living through my art. I understand that this requires dedication, perseverance, and a strong foundation in both the artistic and business aspects of the industry. Music is an art form that brings people from different backgrounds together. I would like to use music to foster awareness surrounding different issues such as climate change, social justice, and war. I hope to participate in fundraising events, donate profits to organizations supporting these causes, and create songs inspired by these issues. I would like to use my platform to create music projects for the youth, providing opportunities to develop their talent and artistic voices, and learn how to use their platform to contribute to different causes that they are passionate about. Given the underrepresentation of women in jazz, I also envision creating ensembles featuring the music of BIPOC, female artists, and other underrepresented groups. As a musician, music scholar, or industry professional, I believe it is essential to address pressing societal issues of our times through both my life and work. Music has a unique ability to transcend boundaries and connect people on a deep emotional level, making it a powerful tool for social change and creating awareness. In conclusion, pursuing a career in music allows me, and others, to make the world better for all people by addressing pressing societal issues, advancing access and participation in the art form, and fostering inclusivity within the industry. Through music and activism, I aim to inspire change, foster empathy, and help create a more equitable and compassionate society.