Art mirrors the human experience, yet the rooms where professional artistic leadership is defined have historically excluded the very voices that give music its soul. As a self-taught pianist who grew up learning by ear in the Black church, I learned early on that music is a sanctuary for survival and collective healing. However, the narrative that creative fields are a financial risk initially led me to pursue traditional paths, earning a Master of Public Health. My time in public health exposed a deeper systemic issue: traditional clinical models often lack the cultural resonance needed to truly heal communities processing trauma. I realized that to make a lasting, positive impact on the world, I had to dismantle the barrier between science and art. This required immense courage, leading me to take a leap of faith to formally study music as a Piano Performance major at Berklee College of Music. I didn’t enter higher education simply to perform on a stage; I entered to claim a leadership space where music is utilized as a formal public health intervention. My goal to make a positive impact is rooted in a project I am currently developing called "Heartbeats by Mom." This initiative bridges the gap between clinical data and musical artistry by creating a digital application that utilizes a mother’s unique biometric heartbeat to generate personalized, therapeutic soundscapes for infant emotional regulation and maternal bonding. By integrating public health with acoustic science, I am working to establish a sustainable career path that offers accessible healing tools to underserved families who are often left out of traditional wellness innovations. To achieve this vision, I must first master my technical piano skills at Berklee, but financial limitations are currently the only barrier preventing me from enrolling in my next classes. To demonstrate my musical perspective, I have submitted a performance sample of me playing SWV’s "Rain", a piece that showcases the soul and precision that drives everything I build. With your support, I will prove that music is not just entertainment, but an essential catalyst for world health and equity.

In the quiet of a neonatal unit or the chaos of a community clinic, there is a rhythm that precedes every song: the human heartbeat. As a Piano Performance major at Berklee and a Master of Public Health graduate from Tulane University, I have learned that the most powerful music isn't created in a vacuum; it is born from the collaboration between science, art, and the human experience. To me, collaboration in the fine arts is more than just playing in an ensemble; it is the strategic gathering of diverse knowledge, resources, and lived experiences to bridge the gap between a diagnosis and a recovery. My journey toward this "collaborative healing" began with a moment of profound connection during my volunteer work with the Riverside University Health System. I attended an event where individuals were sharing their stories of overcoming an HIV diagnosis. They didn’t use clinical reports or PowerPoint slides; they used dance and song. I watched as the stigma of a chronic illness dissolved through the power of a shared melody. In that room, the "collaborators" weren't just the performers; they were the healthcare providers, the patients, and the advocates, all using the arts to create a safe harbor for truth. That day, I realized that while medicine can treat a condition, it takes the collaborative power of the arts to heal the person. This inspiration led me to Berklee’s Community Health Musician program and the development of my current project, "Heartbeats by Mom." This initiative is a literal collaboration between biology and music. We are developing an application that uses biometric audio, specifically a mother’s heartbeat, to create personalized, therapeutic soundscapes for her infant. In this field, collaboration means I must sit at the table with software developers to understand biometric data, with pediatricians to understand infant neurodevelopment, and most importantly, with mothers to understand the cultural rhythms of their own lives. We are taking the most intimate "music" a human ever hears, their mother’s heart, and using technology to turn it into a tool for emotional regulation and bonding. By bringing together these different fields of knowledge, we are learning unique, non-invasive ways to improve health outcomes for the most vulnerable members of our community. Collaboration means acknowledging that I do not have all the answers, but I have a "seat" for those who do. It means understanding people’s differences and using those unique perspectives to compose a better future. Whether I am at the piano or analyzing public health data, my goal remains the same: to act as a conductor who brings together the best of our resources to ensure that the next generation, and the moms who carry them, can live in a world where music is a vital sign of health. Thank you for considering my application. Ortecia Guity

Concrete Rose Scholarship Award Essay by Ortecia Guity My father’s family left Honduras with a dream: that future generations would have opportunities they never had. As the first young woman in my family to attend college, I carry that dream with me every day. Their courage and sacrifice have shaped my values, inspiring me to work hard and break barriers through education and creativity. Growing up as a Black woman of African American and Afro-Honduran heritage, I live at the intersection of two rich cultures. Being Afro-Latinx means carrying the stories, struggles, and beauty of both worlds, yet often feeling invisible within them. Representation matters deeply to me because our community is frequently overlooked and misunderstood. Through my music and storytelling, I want to give voice to these unique experiences, celebrating our identity and challenging narrow definitions of race and culture. I believe that embracing our full heritage is a radical act of self-love and resistance. Financial challenges have made my educational journey difficult. Without generational wealth, I have faced moments of uncertainty and had to pause my studies at Berklee College of Music for two semesters. These breaks were tough, but they strengthened my resolve to continue pursuing my passion for music. Music has always been my sanctuary—a safe space where I connect with my inner world, process life’s challenges, and share joy with others. It grounds me and reminds me of the power of art to heal and unite people across differences. I am also eager to study abroad through Berklee’s Valencia program. Immersing myself in a new culture and musical environment will deepen my artistry and understanding of music’s universal language. This experience will help me grow not only as a performer but also as a storyteller who bridges cultures and builds community through sound. This scholarship would provide vital support to help me return to Berklee and continue my studies. I aspire to become a professional musician who not only performs and creates but also uses music as a tool for healing and empowerment. With my background in psychology and public health, I am passionate about designing musical experiences that uplift underserved communities and promote emotional wellness. I believe that music can bridge gaps and foster resilience in ways few other mediums can. Like the inspiring women celebrated by the Concrete Rose Scholarship, I am committed to using education to transform my life and the lives of others. Receiving this scholarship would enable me to honor my family’s legacy, continue my academic journey, and amplify the voices of those who often go unheard. I am ready to contribute to a more inclusive and prosperous world through my art and advocacy. Thank you for considering my application.

Marshall and Dorothy Smith Music Scholarship Essay by Ortecia Guity In my family, music isn’t just a passion—it’s a bloodline. I was five when I first discovered mine at the keyboard in my room, playing by ear like my grandmother once did. No sheet music, no teacher—just curiosity, sound, and soul. That moment sparked a journey that has shaped who I am and who I’m becoming. Both sides of my family are filled with singers and musicians, so stepping into music felt natural. I took formal piano lessons between the ages of 8 and 10, but most of my learning since then has come from YouTube, books, and trusting my ear. It hasn’t always been easy to pursue this path without consistent access to training or resources, but it’s made me resourceful, grounded, and determined. My sound is rooted in R&B and soul, inspired by artists like Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder, Beyoncé, Michael Jackson, and Brandy. Alicia Keys, in particular, is my biggest influence—her ability to blend truth, technique, and vulnerability is what I strive for in my own artistry. I’m also deeply inspired by Nina Simone and the way she used her voice and musicianship to speak truth and express the full range of Black emotion and power. Being accepted into Berklee College of Music was one of the proudest moments of my life. I completed my first semester with joy and purpose, but due to financial hardship, I’ve had to take a two-semester break. I’m now working hard to return, and this scholarship would directly support my ability to continue the journey I started at Berklee. I also hope to study abroad through Berklee’s Valencia program. I believe that immersing myself in new cultures and sounds will help me grow as a performer and storyteller. I want to experience the global language of music in real time—and bring those insights back into the music I create. My ultimate goal is to perform and create music that moves people. I want to collaborate with artists like H.E.R., honor Black musical traditions, and use my voice to uplift stories that deserve to be heard. With my foundation in psychology and public health, I’m passionate about using music as a tool for emotional healing and community wellness—whether through workshops, storytelling, or performances that center joy, identity, and collective resilience. I believe that music is one of the most powerful tools for healing and connection—and that my story, sound, and vision belong in that conversation. Receiving the Marshall and Dorothy Smith Music Scholarship would mean I don’t have to pause my growth because of finances. It would give me the support I need to return to Berklee, continue my education, and pursue the purpose I’ve held onto since I was a five-year-old playing by ear in my bedroom. Thank you for considering my application.