I’d like to challenge the phrase “One Heart, One Beat”. I understand the meaning of the quote when it comes to humanity as a whole: that we are all unique people sharing one sense of empathy and emotion that connects us all. This interpretation of the idea is very true, but when viewed through the lens of the performing arts, I think another phrase would be more accurate: “Many Hearts, One Beat.” I’ve been involved in the arts my entire life. One of my earliest memories is riding in the car with my mother as she sang along to Jim Croce on the radio, and it’s one that’s stuck with me as I’ve grown old enough to sing along with her. I started singing in my school’s choir and performing in school plays in second grade, and I haven’t stopped since. Now, as a student who’ll be studying Musical Theatre at Rowan University next year, I can’t imagine doing anything else with my life. Throughout my years of singing, acting, and dancing, however, I’ve met people of many different perspectives. I’ve met people who’ve always loved performing and who participate in every show they can, just like me. I’ve met people who enjoy performing, but have their main passions in completely different fields. I’ve met people who know almost nothing about the performing arts, but love to watch shows: for instance, after one of my recent shows, a friend of mine who has severely struggled with his mental health told me that seeing me so happy while performing and watching our musical helped ease his troubles and bring him to a more positive state of mind for awhile. The arts mean something different to everyone, and that’s the best part. All of this brings me back to my original point: why I disagree with the phrase “One Heart, One Beat” in the context of the performing arts. Instead, I believe that while individual people have so many different perspectives and passions related to the arts that keep them going in times of difficulty, we all share one sense of love and appreciation for the arts that inspires us to persist, no matter what struggle we may be experiencing: many hearts, one beat. It’s difficult to accurately express the intensity of my love for the performing arts; I love the dedication it’s inspired in me, I love the creativity it allows me to express, I love the freedom it gives me to be my most authentic self. It is like nothing else in this world. I can’t imagine doing anything else with my life and I am so grateful that I’ll be able to study and perform musical theatre full-time in college (and beyond), but beyond my personal reasons for loving the arts, I love how they’re able to connect people from all walks of life under one appreciation for a beautiful creation.