I am a violist. I am also an African American male from the South Side of Chicago. The area I live in is called “The Wild 100s." The city of Chicago has a reputation as an incredibly violent city. During the 2022 Memorial Day weekend, forty-six people were shot, and ten of those died. Most of the victims and shooters are just like me; they are young Black males who grew up on the West and South Sides of Chicago. But unlike most of those young men, I have academic and career options. When I was nine years old, I heard the viola for the first time. Someone was playing the viola in a talent show, and I fell in love with the viola. Deciding to play the viola was a decision that changed my life. Later I became a member of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra (CYSO). As a member of CYSO, I was one of about five BIPOC in an orchestra of over one hundred of the best musicians in Chicago. While in the CYSO, I volunteered for the Ambassador Quartet, and we visited and performed in public schools in some of the most impoverished neighborhoods in Chicago. As a high school senior, I was selected to be a part of the National Youth Orchestra (NYO). I had the opportunity to represent not only my country but also young African American males from one of the toughest areas of the nation and to show the world that we can succeed in the world of classical music. During my time with NYO, I mentored a young Black violist. I was grateful the be a part of the NYO, not just for my sake, but for the sake of that young boy. As a student at the Jacobs School of Music, I am a part of an even small percentage of people of color. Playing the viola is a privilege, and I know that. Currently, African Americans make up less than 2% of professional orchestras. My goal is to obtain a position as a violist in a professional orchestra. I plan to continue to show up and represent those who are like me but without the opportunities I have. I hope my continued representation in the world of classical music will enable young BIPOC to strive for equal access and success in an area where we are still severely underrepresented.

I am a violist. I am also an African American male from the South Side of Chicago. The area I live in is called “the wild 100s.” The city of Chicago is known as the murder capital of the world. During the 2022 Memorial Day weekend, forty-six people were shot, and ten of those died. The vast majority of the victims and shooters are just like me; they are young Black males who grew up on the West and South Sides of Chicago. But unlike the vast majority of those young men, I am a violist. At the age of eight, I began playing an instrument that would change my life. As a member of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra (CYSO), I was one of about five BIPOC in an orchestra that consisted of over one hundred and twenty of the best musicians in the city of Chicago. As a college student at the Jacobs School of Music, I am a part of an even small percentage of people of color. Playing the viola is a privilege, and I know that. I am also keenly aware of the long-term and ongoing financial sacrifice my parents are making to enable me to pursue my goal of becoming a professional string player. As part of the National Youth Orchestra (NYO), I had the opportunity to represent not only my country but my community and my people. I also had the honor to represent young African American males from one of the toughest areas of the nation and to show the world that we can and do succeed. During my time with NYO, I mentored a young African American string player. I was so grateful the be a part of the NYO, not just for my sake, but for the sake of that young boy. As part of the CYSO, I volunteered for the Ambassador Quartet, and we visited and performed in public schools in some of the most impoverished neighborhoods on the West and South Sides of the city. Currently, African Americans make up less than 2% of professional orchestras. My goal is to obtain a position as a violist in a professional orchestra. I plan to continue to show up and represent those who are like me but without the opportunities I have. I hope my continued representation in the world of classical music will enable young BIPOC to strive for equal access and success in an area where we are still severely underrepresented.

When I was nine years old, I heard a friend play the viola in a talent show. When I heard the viola for the first time, I knew I wanted to learn to play also. That day I asked my mother for a viola, and within a couple of weeks I started taking lessons. Immediately I fell in love with the viola. The viola’s deep, dark, and reedy sound perfectly fits my personality. Playing the viola has brought me an incredible amount of purpose and joy. Over the years, my love for the viola and classical music has grown immensely. During my junior year of high school, I decided major in music. This fall I will begin my junior year at Indiana University majoring in Viola Performance. I also plan to obtain an undergraduate Certificate in Music Entrepreneurship. Majoring in viola performance is enabling me to achieve my goal of becoming the best violist I can be. Indiana University offers many opportunities to play in multiple orchestras, chamber ensembles, operas and compete in concerto competitions with some of the best student musicians in the world. During my visits to IU as a prospective student, I had the opportunity to learn about the Certificate in Music Entrepreneurship program offer by the Kelly School of Business. Being able to combine world class musical and business instruction at the Jacob’s School of Music and the Kelly School of Business is the best educational and career preparation I could possibly receive. After getting my undergraduate degree, I intend to pursue a master’s degree, and possibly a Ph.D., in Viola Performance. My goal is to have an much training as possible to make myself as competitive as possible as a professional violist. After completing my education, I plan to audition with professional orchestras for a viola position. I plan to teach private lessons in my own studio. I also intend to apply for teaching position with local music schools to teach elementary and high school students viola. Over the course of my career, I would like to be a member of a professional orchestra, teach at a conservatory, perform as part of a professional string quartet, and create musical opportunity in underserved minority communities. Currently, African Americans make up about two percent of professional orchestras. I would like to help increase that percentage. In addition to playing in a professional orchestra, I plan to create opportunities in the Black community to increase the number of African American who play string instruments. Having world class business training and preparation would help me to effectively run the business side of any program I implement in minority communities in the future. As a musician, my goal is to graduate from college debt free. I would like to be able to pursue musical opportunities without being limited by heavy financial student loan debt. I have been awarded various scholarships from Indiana University, and I am very grateful for that. However, the full cost of my attendance is not covered by my current financial aid package. Being awarded this scholarship will assist me in paying for college without taking out student loans.