Music has always been more than just singing or performing to me. It has become the way I connect with people, tell stories, and help others feel seen. My dream is to pursue a career as a professional musical theatre performer while also expanding into songwriting, recording music, and eventually teaching the next generation of performers. I hope to perform on Broadway, national tours, at Disney, and even internationally someday. I also want to create original music and musicals that encourage people, start conversations about mental health, and remind others that they are never alone. I chose music because it has always been there for me during both the happiest and hardest moments of my life. Music has helped me process emotions that I couldn't always put into words. Growing up, I realized that a single song or performance could completely change someone's day or even their life. Musical theatre especially combines everything I love, singing, acting, dancing, storytelling, and creating meaningful connections with audiences. It reminds me that everyone has a story worth telling. Some of my biggest role models in the music industry are Patina Miller, Heather Headley, and so many other talented Broadway performers who dedicate themselves to their craft every single day. I admire Patina Miller's passion, powerful performances, and ability to bring so much heart to every role she plays. Heather Headley inspires me with her incredible voice, authenticity, and the emotion she brings to every performance. I also look up to Broadway artists who use their gifts to inspire others through storytelling, excellence, and perseverance. I want to make an impact on the music industry by creating art that is genuine, compassionate, and uplifting. As someone who cares deeply about mental health and believes strongly in showing kindness to others, I hope my work encourages people to be themselves and reminds them that their lives matter. My Christian faith has taught me to love people well, serve others with humility, and use my gifts to make a positive difference. Whether I am performing on stage, teaching young artists, or writing songs, I want everything I create to reflect those values. When people look back on my career, I hope they remember me as someone who made people feel accepted, inspired, and loved. I want to be remembered not only for my performances, but for the way I treated others, the hope I shared through music, and the lives I was able to impact. If even one person leaves one of my performances believing in themselves a little more than they did before, then I will know I have accomplished exactly what I set out to do.

I participated in many forms of volunteer work, connecting more with the community and learning about kids, families, and the New Year, as well as helping homeless people. I'm tired of finding better ways to assist these communities. When I was in middle school in Austin, Texas, we worked with our class on a survey of the homeless community for Loaves and Fishes. We also learned how the food pantry in Austin works by serving, helping organize, and cleaning up products for people in need. Every Friday, my family would go to help bring food from food banks to our small church food pantry, where my dad was the pastor. I also learned about helping the community through outreach programs at our church in downtown Austin, supporting families who needed extra help or a kind smile especially during events like trunk-or-treat, Easter celebrations, and other fun family activities. Now, in St. Louis, I help families through an organization called Love the Lou in Missouri, which provides resources for the homeless and families in need. It’s another recreational center for kids, teaching and uplifting the community. Along with my family, I’ve been there almost every Thursday night last year to support by teaching music and art, playing basketball with kids, and helping cook dinners. I love connecting with people, especially children, teaching them new things and helping them find meaning through their art. I've also worked as a teaching assistant at COCA, at an arts camp, where I helped teach art, stage makeup, and acting to kids interested in pursuing arts further. Additionally, I worked at the Repertory Theater as a summer camp counselor, teaching kids arts and helping them learn skills they’ll need before entering the real world. St. Louis needs to learn how to express itself, and I believe it's important to teach kids in need just that. I’ve also volunteered with the Black Student Union at my college, aiming to promote diversity and culture among international students. My goal is to make my community a better place for all students by raising awareness, shedding light on our history, and exploring our future from a Christ-like perspective. I have visited many places and will continue to give back to the community in the future. My dream is to become a teacher after I perform as a musical theater major. I’ve come to realize how important community, particularly in St. Louis, Missouri, truly is.

I do love books, and it's hard when I am so busy working hard for my dreams in musical theater while earning my degree and trying to find jobs. I'm striving to get seen and noticed by directors and producers, hoping they will hire me and trust that what I have to offer is good and strong enough, even amidst my own struggles. I am mindful of my individuality and the challenges I face, which only I can fully see, even if others do not. Books take me away to learn more about why I love what I do in musical theater, as well as who I am and who I can become, and even who I was as a child reading kids’ books. I don't really see them as just kids’ books anymore; I see them as books for all ages. For example, "The Amazing Grace" by Mary Hoffman and Caroline B. Cooney remains my favorite book. Since I was about four, my Grammy used to get it for me all the time. I still read it sometimes to remind myself of where I am now, where I’ve been, and who I am today. The story tells me that I can be anything I want to be, just work hard enough, show people you're there, and share your passion. It inspires others and pushes me to become a better version of myself by speaking out about my goals. No one can tell me I can't live my dreams because they have meaning and purpose; they are not impossible. The story also inspired me as I saw a young Black girl as the main character someone who can play any part and has that extra light to share with those around her. I also loved books like "Corduroy" because they showed that even when it's dark and scary, you can find your way by being strong and brave. That book was so cute. I also loved "Reading Rainbow," "Sesame Street," and "Schoolhouse Rock", all great educational platforms that helped me understand how important books were to me as a child, and how essential they are to everyone. I admired books by Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee, like "Please, Baby, Please," and Debbie Allen’s "Brothers of the Knight," which I especially loved because it was a unique take on the story of all the dancing princesses. Pajama books meant good representation to me because they showed Black people and Black kids with beautiful artwork, making me laugh and wonder as my parents or Grammy read to me. Looking back now as a grown Black woman in college chasing that same wonder from those books, I find it so interesting how my life has changed and how I’ve faced many hardships. Still, I keep going back to remember that I have a dream and that I work hard. I love books because they've given me a glimpse of strength I can always come back to.

The everyday world around me inspires me because I believe there is beauty in things that people often overlook. As an artist, I am constantly observing my surroundings, whether it is nature, a city skyline, memories from my past, or the people I encounter every day. I think art allows us to share different perspectives and help others see the beauty that exists in ordinary moments. To me, the purpose of art is to express what we carry in our hearts and how we perceive the world around us. Every person experiences life differently, and art gives us a way to communicate those experiences. God created a beautiful world and gave us the ability to create as well. If we pay attention to our surroundings, inspiration can be found almost anywhere! The pieces I am submitting reflect my love to find beauty in everyday places and moments. My drawing of a house challenged me to carefully observe shape, distance, and perspective while drawing from life. Although it was a sunny day, I chose to add rain and darker shading because it reflected the mood I wanted to create. My tree drawing began as a simple sketch inspired by a tree I remembered, but it slowly became more mysterious as I experimented with it. My St. Louis cityscape taught me an unexpected lesson. I never finished the piece because someone took it at school, but over time I came to appreciate its unfinished quality. The mix of sketch lines and color created something unique, reminding me that art doesn't have to be perfect to be meaningful. As an artist, I am inspired by the belief that everyone sees the world differently. Art allows us to share those perspectives, celebrate the beauty of creation, and connect with one another through our experiences.

My faith in God has shaped every part of my life and has been the foundation that has carried me through both my greatest joys and my greatest challenges. As an adopted child, there were times when I struggled with questions of identity, belonging, and where I fit in. As I've grown older, I have also faced challenges with ADHD, vocal struggles that have impacted my singing, and memorization while pursuing my degree. The disappointment that comes when opportunities, relationships, or dreams don't unfold the way I hoped. Through each season, my faith has reminded me that my value does not come from what I achieve but from who God says I am. Knowing that I am loved, chosen, and created with purpose has given me strength when I have felt discouraged and direction when I have felt lost. My faith has been especially important throughout my journey as a musical theatre artist. The performing arts can be a beautiful community, but it's also easy to get caught up in constantly trying to prove yourself, comparing your journey to others, and seeking acceptance through casting decisions, achievements, or recognition. As a young Black woman pursuing a career in musical theatre, there have been moments when I have felt overlooked, behind, or uncertain about where I belong in this industry. I have often watched others reach milestones that I deeply desired for myself and wondered why my path looked different. Over time, God has been teaching me that my journey is not meant to look exactly like anyone else's. He has shown me that my worth is not determined by whether I book a role, receive applause, or achieve success on someone else's timeline. Instead, I am learning to trust that the path He has for me is unique and valuable. Even when I don't understand why certain opportunities have not happened yet, my faith reminds me that God sees the bigger picture and is preparing me in ways I may not fully understand today. Every experience is a gift. Whether I am attending auditions, working hard in classes, performing in a production, serving my community through theatre, or simply growing through challenges, each experience is helping shape me into the artist and person I am becoming. Some of my greatest lessons have come not from the roles I have received, but from the opportunities I did not get. I know my faith will continue to guide me throughout my career in so many amazing ways. While one of my dreams is to perform professionally and hopefully on Broadway, I also hope to use theatre as a way to inspire, encourage, and connect people. In the future, I would love not only to perform but also to teach and mentor young artists, helping them discover their own gifts and confidence. I want to be the kind of teacher and artist who creates spaces where people feel seen, valued, and encouraged to grow. My faith reminds me that success is not simply about reaching a certain stage or earning a certain title. Success is faithfully using the gifts God has given me, serving others with excellence and compassion, and trusting Him through every step of the journey. Whether I am in an audition room, performing in a dream role, teaching the next generation of artists, or navigating a season of waiting, I know that God is present in every moment. His guidance gives me hope, purpose, and confidence that every experience both the victories and the setbacks is part of a larger story that He is writing for my life.

Option 2: In a world that’s constantly moving faster and becoming more digital, it can honestly feel easier to “connect” than ever, but harder to actually feel connected. We can text, scroll, and share everything in seconds, but real human presence still feels rare. And I think that’s why spaces like the arts, especially musical theatre, matter so much. They slow us down and bring us back to something real: people, in a room, creating something together that only exists because everyone is fully there. Musical theatre has shown me that community isn’t just a nice idea, it’s something you actually build, moment by moment. It happens in rehearsals when you’re exhausted but still trying again. It happens when you’re learning choreography as a group and everyone is off-count but laughing through it anyway. It happens when voices blend and suddenly it’s not about one person sounding perfect, but about how the whole ensemble sounds when they choose to listen to each other. That kind of connection can’t really be replaced by a screen. Another really important part of theatre community is how it teaches you to show up for people even when you’re not at your best. In rehearsal rooms, nobody is always perfect, and everyone has days where they’re tired, insecure, or overwhelmed. But you still show up, and so does everyone else. Over time, that creates a kind of unspoken care for each other, you start to notice when someone is off, when someone needs encouragement, or when someone just needs a little extra support in a scene or a number. It builds empathy in a really real way, not just as a concept but as something you practice. And I think that’s something our world really needs more of right now: spaces where people learn how to be patient with each other, work through discomfort together, and still create something beautiful in the process. I’ve found that theatre has this way of turning strangers into something like family, even in a short amount of time. You don’t have to fully explain yourself to belong, you just show up, do the work, and be willing to create with people. And somehow, through music and storytelling, you start to understand each other in a deeper way than you expected. There’s something really special about sharing a story night after night with the same group of people and slowly realizing you’ve built trust without even noticing. Technology isn’t necessarily the enemy of connection, but it can make it easier to stay at the surface of things. We can watch performances online or send encouragement from far away, but it’s not the same as being in the room where it’s happening. Theatre reminds us that presence matters. That breathing the same air, reacting in real time, and being fully engaged with the people around you is something worth protecting. At the same time, I don’t think we have to completely reject technology. It can help spread art, open doors, and connect artists who would’ve never met otherwise. But I think it works best when it supports real-life community instead of replacing it. Because the heart of theatre the part that actually stays with you isn’t something you can fully capture online. It’s the feeling of being there, together, building something that only exists because everyone showed up. For me, musical theatre is one of the clearest examples of what authentic human connection can look like. It’s messy, collaborative, emotional, and real. It teaches you how to listen, how to trust, and how to be part of something bigger than yourself without losing who you are in the process. And I think in a world that keeps pulling us toward isolation in small ways, that kind of community isn’t just important it’s necessary.

As a musical theatre major, I hope to change the world by using storytelling, music, and performance to bring light, hope, and understanding to others. Theatre has the power to help people feel seen and connected, and I want to create art that reminds people they are not alone in their struggles, dreams, or emotions. My own experiences with stress, self-doubt, ADHD, and feeling misunderstood have taught me how deeply people need encouragement and safe spaces to express themselves. Because of this, I want to use my performances to tell honest stories that inspire empathy, healing, laughter, and perseverance. I believe even one performance can impact someone’s life by helping them feel understood or giving them hope to keep going. I also hope to use theatre to teach and uplift younger generations. I want to encourage young artists—especially those who feel different, overlooked, or uncertain about their future—to embrace their creativity and trust that their voice matters. Through mentorship, performance, and storytelling, I hope to create spaces where people can grow in confidence, compassion, and self-expression. My faith also plays a large role in my goals as an artist. I believe art can be a way to bring light into difficult situations and help people experience joy, comfort, and connection. Whether I am performing on stage, creating original work, or working with communities, I want my career in musical theatre to leave people feeling inspired, valued, and hopeful. I am also currently working on creating a full-length musical with a friend from college. I’ll be writing the music and lyrics, while he will focus on developing the storyline and writing the script. I truly hope to produce our creation on Broadway one day. We are brainstorming ideas for scenes, connect different elements, and inspire our creative process! I also choreograph dances and do some music engineering writing my own music on different softwares and I am hoping to expand on my love for music and all other forms of art whether that's with my body, mind, voice or spirit! (The video I am sending you was from a scholarship opportunity in 2024 where now I have already completed 2 years of collage with my VBFA in Musical Theatre!)

What I have seen and experienced over the past few years as a black woman has been a little different from how I grew up as a black girl adopted into a white family. I was adopted as a baby and always felt different, though I did not fully understand it until I got older. Growing up, I was homeschooled and involved in musical theater through youth companies, including a year in a professional theater company. Although labeled “professional,” I often felt overlooked and unsupported. I noticed I was not given the same attention as other children—especially those already known in the company. As one of very few black children in that Texas-based company, I first became aware of how race and access shape opportunities in the arts. As I got older, especially in high school and college, these differences became impossible to ignore. At Messiah University, I am one of only four black students in the Theater and Performing Arts Department. Despite being a junior who consistently invests time and effort into classes and auditions, I have often felt pushed aside, particularly in casting decisions. Roles frequently went to underclassmen, while I was left out. While I try to believe decisions are skill-based, it is difficult when nearly everyone else has been cast. This past semester was especially emotionally exhausting. At the same time, I became a PR for our campus’s Black Student Union, which allowed me to share cultures and make an important impact on campus. Being a black woman in the arts has meant navigating spaces where my voice often feels silenced. History shows how women and people of color have repeatedly been dismissed in artistic spaces, and I have seen those patterns reflected in my education. Many cultural styles of music, movement, and storytelling are quietly excluded because they do not fit the dominant culture. My perspective is shaped by growing up surrounded by white culture while learning to connect with my black identity, as well as moving frequently during childhood. I have witnessed systemic barriers firsthand, particularly in auditions and the limited roles available. These experiences have strengthened my resolve to use my education to give back. Theater is an art form that should be accessible to everyone. Being a resident of St. Louis, I am fortunate to have ample opportunities to experience theater, but many children, especially from minority communities, have not had that privilege. Theater can break stereotypes, tell unique stories, and connect people across cultures. My goal is to perform professionally and eventually become a teacher so I can inspire children and show them how essential live theater can be. I want to help students learn about history and culture while using creativity to express themselves and connect with the world. By making theater accessible to all, I hope to create spaces where every student feels seen, valued, and empowered.