Her answer brought tears to my eyes. The audience erupted with applause, and I was overwhelmed with full body chills. I’m not usually a crier, but I couldn’t help it. A young girl just twelve years old was asked what her favorite part of band camp was that week, and without hesitation, she expressed how a few short days surrounded by female musicians changed her life. In that moment, my heart spoke to a younger version of myself: This is what you’re meant to do. I want to leave my mark on the world as a dedicated music educator who has a passion for what she does and who makes a difference in the lives of her students while doing it. In high school, it was rare for me to see women in music education leadership roles. This absence hindered my confidence and discouraged me from pursuing music education in college. I felt like my voice was silenced, and my dreams were squashed. I was so close to giving up because I didn’t feel wanted or comfortable being myself, but once I got to college, I experienced the exact opposite. My band director inspired me and assured me that I do have a voice, and I do belong in the music education space. Having someone on the podium who looks just like me has made all the difference. Now, more than ever, I am confident I want to be a music educator. I am confident I will make a difference in my students’ lives through music, and I am confident that there is a place for me on the podium. Seeing the value in female representation has empowered me to make sure that all of my students have demographic representation from their educators, mentors, and role models. Serving as a counselor at the Athena Women in Music & Leadership Camp confirmed my career in music education. Having the opportunity to serve as a mentor and role model for young girls showed me just how much joy can come from being surrounded by women who are all driven to achieve similar goals. From watching the campers learn from professional, female musicians to seeing their confidence and musicianship blossom almost instantly, I left Athena knowing that my classroom will be a safe space for female musicians to do what they love, and I will ensure that they are inspired to be themselves while doing it. Over the last few years, I have developed valuable skills, uncovered my character, and defined my why. I am majoring in music education because I want to positively influence others by helping them learn, discover, and grow as people through music. I want my students to experience the power of music for themselves and know that music changes the world for the better. I aspire to mentor and teach, so my students can develop their talent and make a difference in the world with their own art. Music has the ability to transform our world for the better, and as a music educator, I will be a small part of changing the world through music.

In sixth grade, I made the split decision to join band and play clarinet. Little did I know, the decision to join band would lead to countless opportunities, a devout passion for music, and a career in music education. I came into class every day excited to learn something new and create music with my friends. Band immediately became my happy place and something I knew would become a driving force in my life forever. In high school, I continued to play clarinet, joined various ensembles, and stepped into leadership roles. I joined the marching band and took on the positions of communication director and clarinet section leader. Serving in leadership roles taught me how to mentor younger students and foster a strong community environment. I auditioned into a local youth orchestra, where I truly fell in love with performing. Being a part of a music community outside of school made all the difference. Lastly, I took private lessons, pushing myself to become the best musician I could be. Investing independent time into my musicianship strengthened my work ethic and dedication to my craft. I am immensely grateful to have so many diverse musical experiences, and all of these experiences have shaped my character, musicianship, and philosophy on music education. Now, as a Music Education major at Florida State University, I am beginning to lay the foundation for my future. I know my purpose is to teach music. I aspire to be a secondary educator, so I can share my knowledge, experiences, and passion for music with young musicians. I will educate my students on the various styles, cultures, and genres of music because it is imperative to have diversity in learning. Additionally, I will demonstrate how powerful of a tool music is in our lives. I will emphasize the importance of continuing to play music even after you graduate. Additionally, as a music educator, I would like to give back to community music organizations. From personal experience, I know the value of participating in an ensemble with a desire for creative expression. Thus, I want to give back to organizations that pour into young musicians the way my youth orchestra poured into me. I simply want to pay it forward. Ultimately, I want to teach music to the best of my ability and help shape students to be the best they can be while doing what I love. Music just happened to be something new that I tried, and now, I know that music has changed my life for good, and I strive to do the same for others. When I began taking music classes and participating in musical ensembles, I did not expect to find my passion, my purpose, and my people all in one place. Over the last few years, I have developed valuable skills, uncovered my character, and defined my why. I am majoring in music education because I want to positively influence others by helping them learn, discover, and grow as people through music. I want my students to experience the power of music for themselves. Music can change the world for the better. I aspire to mentor and teach young musicians, so they can develop their talent and make a difference in the world with their own art. Music has the ability to transform our world for the better, and as a music educator, I will be a small part of changing the world through music.

I’m grateful to say that I know my passions lie with teaching and music. My love for music and learning have orchestrated my journey as an aspiring music educator. I want to share my knowledge and experiences with my students. I want to expose them to various styles and cultures of music. And most importantly, I want my students to know the power of music and how instrumental it is in changing our world for good. As a future educator, there is nothing more inspiring than working together with students who want to share their love for music with others. From personal experience, I know the value of participating in an ensemble with a desire for creative expression. Thus, I want to give back to organizations that pour into young musicians the way my youth orchestra poured into me. I simply want to pay it forward. Ultimately, I want to teach music to the best of my ability and help shape students to be the best they can be while doing what I love. As a musician, specifically a clarinetist, I believe music has the power to heal. It’s so fulfilling when people tell me how my performances have touched them when they need it most. I strive to make a difference in the world with an art form that comes from my heart, and it moves me to see the joy I give people as I pursue my passion. With these goals and ambitions in mind, I am pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Music Education. I truly love learning about the world and people around me which is why I want to be a teacher. I aspire to mentor and teach young musicians, so they can develop their talent and make a difference in the world with their own art. Music has the ability to transform our world for the better. We must give younger generations a place to express themselves and share their artistry. We must love each other because it is through collaborations and connections like these that change is made.

Music has always been there with me. It is shaping the person that I am today and will be in the future. As a young child, music nurtured my love for learning, and taught me valuable life lessons about hard work, discipline, and determination to achieve goals. When I entered middle school and experienced band class for the first time, music reinforced my understanding of the beauty of collaborating with others. Then as I entered high school and participated in marching and concert bands, music helped me discover my community, my desire for self-expression and creativity, my passion, and what I would want to dedicate my life to everyday. During Kris Bowers’ 2014 Oscar acceptance speech for The Last Repair Shop, Bowers eloquently states, “Music education isn’t just about creating incredible musicians. It’s about creating incredible humans.” This quote from Bowers resonates with me deeply. As a rising college sophomore, I understand the impact that music has had on my life and the role music education has played on my journey. I am majoring in music education because I want to make a positive impact on others, by helping them learn, discover, create, and grow as people through music. As I navigate college, I am exploring and considering the different age groups that I want to teach and which age group suits my teaching style and skill set best. Truthfully, I believe I can see myself supporting students at any age, whether it is the young child that is finding their voice in song or the student that is learning how to play “Hot Cross Buns” on the recorder for the very first time. For the middle school student that comes to band class excited to learn something new, and asks “What can I do to get better?” I know that I can be that band director that encourages their questions and supports their interests because I was once in their shoes. Music changed my perspective in high school, and I can see myself supporting high schoolers during their own high school career. I aspire to create an environment where they can find their home away from home, community, and lifelong friends. In addition, it is important that as an educator, I foster future leaders and mentors that can change the world. As a collegiate music student, I have been able to learn a skill set, develop my technique, learn about my character, and learn about the personalities of others. When I began taking music classes and participating in musical ensembles, I did not expect to find my passion, my purpose, and my people all in one place. Music just happened to be something new that I tried, and now, I believe music has changed my life for good, and I hope to do the same for others.