A song that is really special to me is called "Slipping Through My Fingers" Written and performed by ABBA. It does not matter what I am doing. Whether it is doing homework, writing lyrics, walking my dog, or making my bed, I have to hear this song at least 5 times a day. I especially enjoy listening to this whenever I am going through a rough patch in my life, or if I'm dealing with anxiety. This is because the song reminds me of my mother. My mother is always supporting me through my trials and tribulations and whenever she is not around in the moment to comfort me, I can just play that song and I magically feel better. In fact, I am quite confident that this song can make anyone think of their mother, as it is from the perspective of a mother whose daughter is growing up right before her eyes. The song has lyrics such as "The feeling that I'm losing her forever and without really entering her world. I'm glad whenever I can share her laughter That funny little girl." When I first heard the song, I liked it because the chorus contained these beautiful harmonies that I could not get out of my head. However, the more I listened to it, the more I paid attention to the lyrics and understood the story within them. I thought about all of the times when I would tell my mother "don't worry I'll be back soon." Or "Mom, I won't be going to college for another 2 years it's not that serious." Now, I'm going to college out of state in September and my mom talks about it all of the time given that I'm her youngest daughter. I joke around whenever she becomes a bit of a crybaby about me leaving. Then, this song stepped into my life and made me think, that I should take her feeling a bit more seriously. I showed her the song. I only played the first verse and the chorus, worrying that the longer I let the song continue, the sooner she will cry. Not only did she understand why I thought of her, but she also thought of her mother. I told her that in the distant future when she passes, I will definitely play this song in her memory. "Slipping Through My Fingers" will always be the song that picks me up when I'm down and hugs me like a blanket.

If money was not an issue, I would already begin preparations to build the performing arts school of my dreams. I have always wanted to provide a place where artists can spend their time cultivating their craft. I plan to call this school Yeux Frais Academy. "Yeux Frais" means "Fresh Eyes in French. I thought that a foreign name would be more interesting. I picked out the name inspired by Andy Grammar's song titled Fresh Eyes. I think about how artists of any sort such as singers, composers, painters, dancers, and musicians can change our entire perspective through their craft. It is almost as if you are seeing the world through a set of new eyes. I discovered how passionate I was about music when I began Arranging for acapella in 8th grade. A friend of mine introduced me to software known as Musecore where you can create your own musical scores for both choral and instrumental. I wrote about four arrangements that weren't really up to snuff before I gathered the confidence to audition for my High school's a capella group, and tell the director about my work. It all happened in a flash. I carried my new found passion for writing music into freshman year with me, watching our group perform and wondering what it would sound like if I heard my work, sung by real, human voices. My older sister was a member at the time and supported me all the way through and told the director about me and my work. Next thing I know, not only am I a member of the group but I also won Outstanding Arrangement for the entire set at the 2019 ICHSA Mid-Atlantic Quarterfinals. I've been listening to competitive acapella ever since 2016, but being apart of it and achieving results is an entirely different ball game. No matter where I am all I can ever think about is being on the stage and being surrounded by people who have a passion much like my own. People who see the importance behind what I do. I'm very interested in continuing my competitive acapella career in college and I hope that not only do I gain more knowledge in terms of musical theory and creativity, but I get in touch with people who know and understand how great my passion is for music and creating it. I also wish to get in touch with people who can show me many ways to improve my writing, whether it's expanding on my musical knowledge, showing me new software, or cleaning up my musical notation. I think that if I opened such a place where kids my age are able to have the same dreams, and goals I do, I have succeeded in my mission.