I grew up obsessed with sound. Sound and music have been a constant companion in my life. As a child, I’d mimic the “pffft” of garbage truck brakes to the robotic speech of Star Wars droids. I’d spend hours immersed in fabricated battles and stories I’d make in my head, with the sounds of Republic Gunships landing, and blaster fire booming in my ears. Although I outgrew my truck and Star Wars obsession, my attachment to sound never changed. I discovered EDM a few years later, and sound took on a new meaning. I’d never heard music like that before. I wondered how someone could take sounds and create an experience. I'd watch videos of artists creating EDM. I copied their sounds and tried to recreate the songs’ ability to move me. I saved up for a Novation Launchpad, teaching myself how to use technology I couldn’t name a few months before. Making music became an outlet to express my emotions. One day, I stumbled on hip-hop and was immediately hooked on its unique sounds and the emotions the music enveloped me in. I was captivated by the 808s, hi-hats, and how a flute could be so pretty and vicious at the same time. Soon, I was diving into a new genre and a fresh series of videos, watching producers make music, and trying to mimic their workflow. I had a new goal of making music like them. I spent hours researching D.A.Ws until I found a free one that was similar enough to what the professionals used. Again, I taught myself how to use a new technology, dragging in files of sounds I wanted and pitching each note individually until I created something I liked. Every week, hundreds of files of deleted music would be emptied from my computer's trash, as I strove to make every beat better. Eager to learn even more, I dove into mastering, adjusting everything on the level of decibels and hertz until it fit my vision. I wasn’t always successful, but I learned I could get it right if I tried enough. I made beats every day, my confidence growing, but up to this point, I was keeping my music to myself. Then came my opportunity with Plugged In Band. As a drummer, I began to play for charities like Sustainable Healthcare for Haiti and Boston Children's Hospital. I saw how my music had a direct impact on people. I even had an opportunity to perform at a large festival when another artist dropped out at the last minute, learning six songs in only four days. Terrified at first, I practiced every moment I wasn’t in class at my Berklee Music Intensive program. After the first song, my nerves settled and a surge of self-belief filled me. I realized that I’m capable of so much more than I thought. Today, sound remains a guiding force in my life, inspiring me to explore and take risks. Whenever I get behind an instrument, I have to adapt to novel environments, as I discover and incorporate innovative sounds into my music. Sometimes, I spend hours perfecting a minute of product, only to start over again. When I produce music with and for others, I often need to reframe my creative process, collaborating and incorporating their perspectives. I learn something new and grow every time. Much of my curiosity, initiative, and consistency are a result of my relationship with music. It’s played a critical role in my growth as a person, and it’s now my goal to help others grow through music just as I did.

I am an innately curious person, especially when it comes to people. At Maine Teen Camp (my summer camp), the diverse backgrounds, cultures, and experiences of my peers fascinated me. Kayle, one of my best friends from Antigua, taught me Patois and Antiguan customs. I also met peers from France, Korea, Israel, and Spain. I walked away with an internationally expanded vocabulary and a Spotify playlist with songs from French rapper Ninho and Jamaican artist Alkaline. Over the 126 days I spent with these friends over two summers, I learned I had a skill at bridging different cultures and creating profound relationships. After the summer, I was one of six teens selected for a leadership training program, where I was formally trained to lead diverse groups of people. I loved my experience in the LT Program, so I volunteered at my school to be on the Peer Mediation Team where I helped resolve disputes between students. Being in these leadership positions has required creativity, responsibility, and an open mind. I’ve organized camp-wide dances with over 200 people, led sports teams and arts classes, and mentored kids who have been susceptible to bad influences in the past. Right now, I am on break from my current volunteer project. I am working with a small organic farm: "Silver Wood Farms" on organizing a music festival for the local Massachusetts Metro-West Boston community. The goal is to spread awareness of local organic farming and small businesses nearby. I've had to create designs for ads and banners with software like Canva and reach out to local vendors and artists while also keeping everything meticulously organized. At the end of this project (May 24) I will have to present a slideshow documenting my experience to a panel of faculty, parents, and teachers and write a 3-5 page paper. I love volunteering because not only does it allow me to give back to my community and benefit the lives of others, but it gives me experience. I've learned and constantly exercised skills in organization, marketing, leadership, and listening all while doing things I enjoy. I plan on continuing my work helping others by engaging in more leadership and philanthropic opportunities wherever I find them, I believe that in making the conscious decision to help others, you are helping yourself. Colleges and universities provide immense resources when it comes to finding these opportunities as long as you look for them. I am a hard worker and I will serve and help others through more philanthropic projects, leadership, mentorship, and my love of creating music.