For a larger portion of my life, music was a burden to me. I only practiced violin because my mom told me to, carelessly rushing through my workbooks hoping to quickly return to whatever had occupied me before. It was within my every intention to quit music when I finished high school. Yet throughout my journey, and through exposure to new music, a passion began to brew within me. As I grew, I learned to understand music’s true beauty, and it soon became something I could not live without.  I recall one day in particular, which I believe sparked my newfound appreciation for music. I was about twelve years old, and my father called me to the living room of our home. “Listen,” he said while handing me his headphones and iPod. The screen read “Cinema Paradiso” by Chris Botti and Yo-Yo Ma. He often did this with many of his favorite pieces hoping that I would like them, but I never did. Contrarily, I can confidently say that this was the first time in my life that I had felt a significant connection to a piece of music. From that day forward, I had that recording ready to listen to on any device I had and in any place I was. My pure obsession with that piece prompted me to look for more works of the like, and I began to delve into the world of classical music. Soon enough, I dreamed of becoming just like the musicians on the recordings I so often listened to.  In the coming months and years, I completely engulfed my life in music, not just through listening, but through playing, too. I joined new ensembles and filled my summers with music camps.  Never would I have guessed that I would be a part of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra or that I would get to travel across the country to participate in programs like Sphinx Performance Academy or Fortissima at some of the most prestigious conservatories in the world.  I am forever grateful for the experiences that music has given me, and it is important to recognize that a plethora of those opportunities were made possible through music education programs. It was through school music programs that I was introduced to other programs and ensembles that became an integral part of my growth as a musician. It was through music education programs that I realized my love for orchestral playing, leading me to join other orchestras and learn from some of the most talented musicians in my region. It was through school music programs I was given one of my first violins, a private teacher, and an endless list of crucial resources.  I recognize school music education as one of the initial stepping stones in my life-long journey, leading me to where I am today; an 18-year-old with an undeniable passion for music. And because of that passion, I am off to college in the fall to study music performance. Music has opened an immense number of doors for me, and I want every other child to be given the chance to have their creativity flourish through music. I want them to be able to find their own form of expression through music. I want them to be able to realize the beauty of music-making and have to experience some of the greatest, life-changing works. I want the youth to be impacted by music just as I was, and through music education programs, an endless amount of children will have a chance to flourish through the opportunities offered by music.