Music has been an essential part of my life and identity for as long as I can remember. I grew up attending church every Sunday with my family, and when I was six years old, I joined the children’s choir for Christmas Eve Mass at my parish. I was given my first solo, “Silent Night,” which became a cherished tradition for many years. As I grew older, I began cantoring the psalm for that Mass and took a deeper interest in parish music ministry while helping my dad with audio/visual each Sunday. The turning point came during my freshman year of high school when I was invited to join the 10:30 choir. That invitation not only helped me grow musically but also gave me the confidence to begin seeing myself as a leader in my faith community. One of the greatest influences in my journey has been Leo, my parish music director. His encouragement and mentorship, both musically and spiritually, helped me develop not only as a singer but as a person. Rehearsals with him were never just about technique. They were also about intention, connection, and using music as a form of prayer. His guidance helped me see how music can be a transformative force in people’s lives. That realization has never left me. Today, I am a senior at Saint Leo University, where I’m double majoring in Music and Communication. I serve as the Student Minister for Liturgy in University Ministry, where I coordinate and lead music for student liturgical services at the Saint Leo Abbey, serve as sacristan, and participate on the Student Leadership Team. These responsibilities give me practical experience in liturgical planning, ensemble leadership, and spiritual mentorship. All of these are skills that will be central to my future career. After completing my degree, I plan to become a music minister at a Catholic parish or school. I hope to combine my faith, musical training, and communication skills to foster vibrant, Christ-centered communities through sacred music. Eventually, I aspire to develop and lead a nationwide series of youth retreats focused on music ministry. These retreats would guide young people in learning how to participate in liturgical music in both traditional and contemporary forms, deepening their understanding of how music can enhance worship and bring them closer to God. To me, music is more than just sound or performance—it is a sacred language that can open hearts and create space for grace. I believe that when people hear or sing something beautiful in a church setting, it can stir something deep within them, sometimes even more powerfully than words alone. That’s the kind of impact I want to be part of: using music to help people feel seen, loved, and invited into a relationship with God. My background in church music, combined with the education and leadership experiences I’ve gained at Saint Leo, are preparing me to do just that. I am passionate about making faith accessible and meaningful through music, and I look forward to a lifelong journey of serving God and His people through the gifts He has given me.

Music is more than a passion. It is the language through which I hope to build a more faithful, compassionate, and connected world. This fall, I will begin my senior year at Saint Leo University, where I am double majoring in Music and Communication. I currently serve as University Ministry’s Student Minister for Liturgy, a role that includes acting as both sacristan and music minister for student liturgical services at the Saint Leo Abbey. Through this work, I have experienced how sacred music can shape community, inspire prayer, and create space for reflection and healing. My goal is to become a music minister at a Catholic parish or school, where I can guide others through both the power of music and the message of faith. Ultimately, I hope to establish a nationwide series of youth retreats focused on music ministry. These retreats would introduce both traditional and contemporary sacred music to young people, while teaching how to use it responsibly and reverently in the context of worship. My mission is to help the next generation connect more deeply to their faith through music, while also building their confidence and leadership skills. Music has a profound ability to make people feel seen and understood. When scripture is expressed in song, it often reaches the heart in a way that spoken words cannot. Through my music, I want to share the love and truth of Christ, offering encouragement to those who are struggling and joy to those who need hope. Whether I’m leading worship on campus, mentoring younger musicians, or organizing future retreats, my art will always be a way of serving others. In a world that can feel overwhelming or disconnected, I want to help create spaces where people feel a sense of belonging. Music allows us to reflect, reconnect with our values, and draw closer to one another. By making worship more approachable and meaningful, I aim to inspire deeper faith and more compassionate communities. This is the kind of impact I hope to make through every note I sing and every life I have the chance to touch.