During my time studying Music Composition at Miami University, a mentor of mine once told me: “You can cut the arts all you want. But sooner or later, these students aren't going to have anything to read or write about”. Fine arts, and music most particularly in this context, are often overlooked in institutions like schools, commercialized industries, and the greater general public. If a particular work doesn't entirely subscribe to popular music culture, unfortunately there is likely an uphill battle imminent. We often see the effects of commercialized music production where artists aren't always given complete agency to their own works. This can result in instances where a particular artist's new release has lost some of the heart and passion that made their music unique in their own personal way. Aspiring artists can become discouraged when they aren't given the agency to flesh out their work. Or when given that agency, their efforts go unrecognized, unthanked, and or uncredited. As I intend to pursue a career in film composition, these are challenges that I am very likely to face. I want to build myself up to be able to persevere through thick and thin, so that if and when I do get to a certain point of agency in my career, I am able to subvert these industry roadblocks. I envision creating and supporting opportunities for aspiring artists to be able to fully flesh out their music, and get the proper recognition so that audiences can connect with their work at a genuine level. There are great numbers of talent of assistants, interns, or any other sort of subordinates, that can go grossly unrecognized. I want to see an industry that brings light and encouragement to artists that are in the developing stages of their career. Notice, I haven't said "young" artists. I believe in music there are no age limitations, because music comes from passion in the heart and soul, and passion does not discriminate. There's a reason why music is considered a global language. This also accounts as to why the arts can become so damaged when they are overlooked or rushed for the sake of commercialization. For a class, I recently did a brief study on the benefits in music education outside of the music industry. The quote I opened this writing with came from one of my music professors during that study. We spent time talking of how music education throughout grade school and academia, can translate into life outside of music. For instance, we found that there are occurrences where companies that would hire people with prior music experience, would later recognize that the hires were likely to be very worth it. The level of expectation and commitment to other people that is trained in music experiences are things that translate very well in other environments. Because, as mentioned before, at the heart of music lies passion. Musicians arrive early (their definition of on time) because they are passionate about the music-making experiences that lie ahead. Musicians collaborate effectively and actively because of passion for the collective project bigger than their own pride. Robust music programs at the grade school and collegiate levels help students develop the idea of actively thinking outside of their own personal bubble. We've seen how the commercialized music industry has become less and less concerned about the deeper passion behind the arts. I wish to create a lasting impact that subverts this trajectory. Because, if the arts become heartless and passionless, eventually we might ask of what's left to read, write, talk, and be passionate about?

It has been said that the apple does not fall far from the tree, and I find that to be true when I consider the female who has inspired me to pursue my dreams. My mother is the person about whom I speak, and she is a replica of her mother. Although my grandmother grew up in the country with meager means, she excelled academically and defied the odds by becoming a college professor. My mother inherited her mother's tireless spirit of determination and academic fervor and instilled that in me. Music has been my passion for as long as I can remember. That should come as no surprise since there are musicians on both sides of my family. During my initial years as a child, I had a difficult time communicating with others. Thoughts were in my head, but it was a challenge for me to express myself. Upon recognizing my musical gifts, my mother helped me see that I could communicate in ways other than speech. It was her encouragement that enabled me to successfully navigate a childhood hurdle, and I started relying on music as a way of expressing my emotions. Not only was this therapeutic for me, but it boosted my confidence and caused me to see that I had a gift that made me a person of value. During my years in school, I was involved in activities that are too numerous to mention, and my mother was present at all of them. At times, she had other things to do, but she still found a way to shuffle things around so that she could be supportive of what I was doing. Seeing my mother's face at those events and hearing her supportive cheers always made me feel like I had reached a major milestone. If nothing else, it has given me the momentum that is needed for me to confidently transition to my future status as a college student who will be majoring in Music Composition at Miami University-Oxford. As is true for most teenagers, I sometimes experience moments in which I become anxious about what lies ahead. When this happens, my mother makes direct eye contact with me and reminds me that I am here for a reason and that the world is waiting to be blessed by the musical gifts that have been deposited in me. Hearing her speak with such clarity and resolution always puts my mind at ease and inspires me to follow through on my personal goals. I became completely immersed in music during the pandemic. I arranged and produced more than 50 songs that were used in virtual worship services, celebratory events and special programs. Seeing how people were positively impacted by the music that I produced during the pandemic was the seed that inspired me to pursue a career in which I compose and produce music for the film and movie industry. My mother's example has enabled me to see that music is a means through which I can share my voice with others. Doing so in the film and movie industry will enable me to reach diverse communities and audiences. Following my mother's example and teaching, I want to use my musical gifts in a way that inspires and enlightens others to bask in the beauty of life that surrounds us. Above all, I want to contribute something meaningful to the world that makes Planet Earth a healthier and happier place for its residents. If I am successful in doing so, I will have fulfilled the lessons that my mother instilled in me.