Picture this: It is April of last year, and the world is a few weeks into the COVID-19 pandemic. You see a 15-year-old girl. She lays on her mother’s bedroom floor, watching the popular Netflix show “Tiger King.” The girl is obviously in pain, as she has her hand on her chest. “Mom, I think my chest pains are getting worse,” she says. After calling their local urgent care, the mom decided to take her daughter to the hospital. On April 11th, 2020, a doctor in the emergency room told me that I had pneumonia. They said that this “pneumonia” could have been the coronavirus. However, I did not have enough symptoms to receive a test at the time. Having pneumonia meant that I could not do what I love most: singing. I have been singing for my entire life. Not being able to sing nearly broke me. When I arrived home, I felt hopeless. However, this feeling did not last for long. I decided to use my time in quarantine to do something that would not physically hurt me. That was writing music. I wrote original compositions for a while but decided to take a break due to burnout. That break was over as soon as I picked up a pencil and my notebook. I spent the next few weeks in bed creating songs. I edited songs I had not touched in months, which inspired me to write new content too. I learned how to mix the music that I recorded before I became sick, which was rewarding. I could not use my voice, but the doctors never said anything about not using my hands. Working on music while my lung was recovering made me realize how much I loved creating. I still missed singing. Nonetheless, I discovered that I had another passion that I barely noticed. Now, a year later, I write almost as much as I sing. I have written over 35 songs in 2021, compared to the 18 I wrote in 2020. I have released two EP’s, What’s On My Mind and Quaran-Tunes. I am releasing my first album, The Songbook Opens, on May 21st. I have many projects lined up for release shortly after the album drops. If I never had pneumonia, I do not know if I would be writing today. The break from writing might have become permanent. As for future endeavors, creating original compositions in quarantine helped me decide my career: becoming a musician. I am going to college for music. I am hoping to learn more songwriting and production skills while I attend school. I have wanted to become a singer-songwriter for as long as I can remember. I was close to giving up. Now, I am pushing to achieve this dream more than ever before. Like most people, I do not want to have pneumonia again. Laying in bed all day with chest pains was, well, painful. Even though the illness was a challenge I had to face, I am grateful that it showed me another musical path I could take. As I type, I am delighted to have both my voice and my creative abilities.

I love music, especially singing and songwriting. I have been singing since I learned how to use my mouth to make noises other than crying. I could not sing in front of people until I was nine. I mustered the courage to audition for a solo. The enthusiastic reactions boosted my confidence to perform in front of an audience. Years later, when I was fourteen, I felt inspired to write. I have been performing vocally and songwriting since. Last year, after working on my voice and my songwriting abilities, I quickly discovered my passion for the arts. I already knew I loved creating content and working on my art. Nevertheless, I never noticed the massive impact until the pandemic occurred. I decided to release my music out to the world and to push myself as an artist. After learning how to produce and record music, I published two extended plays, What’s On My Mind and Quaran-Tunes. The two projects discuss mental health. However, the latter project focuses on mental health throughout the COVID-19 epidemic. Hearing and seeing the positive feedback motivated me to keep working on my music. Now, I am finishing my first album, The Songbook Opens. The album depicts how media, such as the news or Twitter, negatively affects my life. Music was a healthy way to express these thoughts and frustrations. Writing and sharing my words overall made me feel less alone. I am dreaming big through music. I want to become a musician. Many people pick a career based on family expectations or because it is the most financially stable option. I know people who chose nine-to-five desk jobs who are miserable. I do not want to be in that position. Becoming a singer-songwriter full-time is exhausting. However, I am at my happiest when I create. I want to continue to feel said happiness as an adult. The first step in pursuing this dream is attending college Berklee College of Music. I am accepted. Nonetheless, the costs are high. I want to pursue my dreams, but I do not want that to hurt me in the future. Even though the road to becoming a musician is difficult, music does help me better myself along with those around me today. In my case, music prompts me to not bottle up my feelings, which I used to do frequently. In the past, I struggled with communication. To this day, I sometimes cannot figure out the right words to say. Writing how I feel in a structured way has helped me improve my speaking skills and letting my emotions out. I am using these newfound skills to speak up about racial injustices (mainly towards black people), injustice towards the LGBTQ+ community, and other global issues. As for those around me, my creative background has inspired them. Some people have contacted me telling me that they are writing songs because they enjoyed mine. A few people have started to write poems. Some are following other aspirations because of my music. I always wanted my music to encourage people to do what they enjoy. Music did the same for me. I hope to continue inspiring people to accomplish their dreams and find their passions because of my art. I always strive to accomplish my enormous dreams and to help others achieve theirs. Music has been the gateway for everything. I will not give up, and I will make the nine-year-old who challenged herself by auditioning for a solo proud.

“Man, I hope I make it through high school.” I thought that to myself one day during my first week of freshman year. I was sitting in my theater class as my teacher (shoutout to Mr. Thornton) took attendance. Everyone was laughing and talking amongst one another. Meanwhile, I was alone with my thoughts, slowly sinking in a pool of fear. Suddenly, one of my classmates handed me a flyer and smiled. Before I could say anything, she walked up to the next person. I looked down to read the paper, which advertised the school’s Black Student Union. I was already considering going after I saw the club name in a school presentation. However, receiving an invitation from someone felt more impactful. I had a great feeling about her, too. Therefore, I stood up and went to talk to her for a brief second. Her name was Whitney, who was a junior at the time. I asked her if I could join the club the following week, which she supported. When I arrived home from school, I showed my mom the flyer, and she approved of my decision to attend. The day of the meeting eventually came, and I walked through the door. I was nervous and did not know a single soul, except for Whitney. Even then, I only talked to her for a few seconds. However, she made me feel the most welcomed. She asked me about my middle school experience, my interests, and more. She introduced me to everyone else in the club as well. Her vibrant energy easily filled up the room, and I quickly felt relieved and a bit more comfortable. Whitney’s kindness and positivity convinced me to come back to the Black Student Union the following week. And the week after that. I went from being hesitant on joining to becoming a full-time member. As time went by, I became more involved with the club. Whitney encouraged me to run for secretary, and I received the position. She helped me learn the ropes of guiding a committee, writing a script, and taking leadership in any situation. As a result, I became friends with her. I looked up to her more and more every day. I am now a senior in high school, and I continue to see Whitney as a role model and as an older sister, which I never had. Her one small act of kindness and inclusion influenced me to become a better person. I always try to smile more, include everyone, and leave a positive impact. I do this in the Black Student Union as the club’s current president. I do this outside of the club as well. All because a peer invited me to attend an organization during a time I felt alone. “Man, I hope I make it through high school,” I thought to myself one day in my theater class. Thanks to Whitney and a flyer in her hand, I did not simply “make it through high school.” My life changed in the best way possible. *My additional message to Whitney: Thank you for everything these past few years. I miss you, and I love you so much!*

Pressure. The word that encompasses my world is pressure. I have felt a massive weight on my shoulders for years. I am the oldest of six. I am a black woman who is also a first-generation American. My parents want me to succeed as much as possible. I strive for perfectionism, but pushing myself to make everyone proud and pleased causes my stress to increase. What calms me down, however, is music. Music helps me not feel as overwhelmed. I frequently listen to different musicians, perform in classes such as choir and theater, and formulate original works, all with a smile on my face. Participating in the listed activities made me realize how important music is in my life. Between academics, my home life, and the pandemic, my mental health declines rapidly. Although I go through difficult moments, I can turn to music to make the days a bit brighter. Last year, after working on my voice and my songwriting skills, I quickly discovered my passion for the arts. I always knew I loved producing content and working on my art. However, I never noticed the impact until I was quarantined in my room seven days a week. From that point forward, I decided to release my music and start pushing myself as an artist even further. After teaching myself how to produce and record music, I released two extended plays, What’s On My Mind and Quaran-Tunes. Both projects discuss mental health, while the latter project focuses on the COVID-19 epidemic. Hearing and seeing the positive feedback motivated me to keep working and making compositions. I am now finalizing my first album, The Songbook Opens. The album showcases how media, such as the news or Twitter, negatively affects my life. I found music as a healthy way to express my thoughts and frustrations. Writing and sharing my words made me feel less alone. As I worked on the album, I decided what I wanted to do with my life: I want to be a full-time musician. I desire to continue creating my original songs. I want to collaborate with other artists as well. Whether we work on my music or theirs, I would love to be in a room with other people as engaged in their craft as myself. I hope to write for other singers and expand my skills. While the music industry is pressuring, I am willing to take the risk. I do not mind feeling tension while participating in something I enjoy. My choir teacher calls the feeling “good stress.” Additionally, I want the music I create to help people find their voice. I want to share with the world that long as you believe in yourself, you can find your passion, purpose, and a sense of belonging. I plan on achieving this dream by going to college for music. I need to network as much as I can. I need to gain connections and provide content for my audience from there. I have been preparing myself by doing what I am doing now: Taking my current music classes, challenging myself every time I work on a new piece, lyrically or sonically, and releasing the final product. Furthermore, I will keep listening and responding to feedback and criticisms to improve. That way, people will stay in the welcoming community I am striving to form. Pressure. I may feel pressure for the rest of my life. Pressure is unavoidable. Everyone deals with stress. However, music makes the heavy load a little less painful.

“The Songbook Opens. I begin to write a line or two”. I am pursuing a career in singing and songwriting. I have been performing since I was nine and writing my own music since I was fourteen. My music consists of the pop gene with theatrical elements. I plan on attending Berklee College of Music to continue developing my musical skills. I realized what I wanted to work in the music field for the rest of my life one August night, where I wrote the opening line to my song “Bedroom Floor”: “The Songbook Opens. I begin to write a line or two.” As I wrote the song, I began to reflect on my life and how I was tired of doing the same things every day. I wanted to do more, but I felt stuck. After writing more lyrics and completing the song, I read everything back and began to cry. I felt broken and useless. Then, I realized that I did not want to only write as a hobby. I could do more by creating music full-time. October came around, and I had a long list of songs I wanted to release. I eventually found a connection. Every song I selected discussed topics that aggravate me, such as feuds on Twitter and the world’s divide. I looked through my songbook to find the track that would conclude the possible project. I decided to end with the song I wrote that August night. I thought a reflection piece was an excellent way to complete the project. From that moment, my first album was in the works. The project, now titled The Songbook Opens, is complete. However, I am continuing to focus on additional elements. Currently, I am working on music videos, planning promotional content, and a few bonus tracks to release during the summer. While I was working on The Songbook Opens, I chose to write two songs that are in a completely different genre than what I usually write in. I used basic loops, 808’s, simple lyrics, and heavily filtered vocals. I am calling the mini-project Experimental Experience. The intention is to see the feedback the two songs receive compared to my current releases and my forthcoming album. I am aiming to release the tracks before the end of the year. In the future, I plan on writing and releasing more songs. I write at least 2-3 times a week. I want to continue accomplishing this as time goes on. Additionally, I want to collaborate with artists, producers, and others in the music industry. I have worked with two people creatively so far, and I loved it. I wish to continue working with more people as I develop my artistry. “The Songbook Opens. I begin to write a line or two,” started as a line I randomly wrote one August night. Now, the line represents my life and a hopeful future.

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” The iconic character Ferris Bueller said this in the movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. I discovered the film at the beginning of the pandemic last year. The nearly two-hour-long screenplay quickly became my favorite movie of all time. The blockbuster hit includes unforgettable moments and teaches viewers a lesson of living their best life while they can, which puts the biggest smile on my face. In the movie, Ferris was bold enough to partake in ridiculous activities, such as singing “Twist and Shout” by The Beatles in a parade and driving around in an expensive car, all while skipping school. He knew that he plausibly would not miss class again, so he wanted to make the most out of his day. Additionally, Ferris’s friend Cameron stepped out of his comfort zone. He was hesitant about hanging out with Ferris and his girlfriend Slone at first. However, Cameron ended up enjoying the day with his friends and felt confident in himself. Watching this movie during quarantine made me realize how little I have done in the past few years. Even though I do not condone skipping classes, I want to do more when lockdown is over. I want to spend more time with my friends. I want to try new things while I still have time. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off helped me reflect on my life and what I want to accomplish. Although I have only found this movie recently, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off completely changed my mindset. I strive to enjoy life as much as possible, even while I am stuck in my room. I am definitely looking forward to living to the fullest once the pandemic is over.

I have loved to sing since I was little. Although I enjoyed it, I could not speak, let alone sing, in front of anyone. I hid behind my dad in any sort of group setting without saying a single word. I eventually started talking to people outside of the members of my household. However, the only times I sang were for my siblings and parents. Today I perform and write songs any chance I have. Music changed my life by helping me gain confidence and connect with other people. As I mentioned, I was a timid child. I was afraid of almost everything. I did not come out of my shell until I was nine years old. I mustered the courage to audition for a performance at my church’s summer camp. After I received positive feedback at the audition and the performance, I continued to sing in public. I joined my middle school’s choir a few years later and sang many solos. Later on, I decided to try something else. I joined my high school’s theater program. I wanted to learn more about performing and develop more skills. I learned how to have a stage presence, be engaging, and balance between energy and focus. Because of theater, I decided to take my art more seriously. Additionally, I continued to challenge myself by picking up songwriting, and I fell in love with making original content. I became passionate about performing and creating music, which helped me find confidence and step out of my comfort zone. In addition to gaining confidence, I have been able to connect with people because of music. For example, music helps me connect with my family. I always show my mom my music before I release anything. We also enjoy the same music genres. We belt our hearts out while we listen to music in the car. I frequently chat with my dad about the music industry and the building blocks of songwriting. My siblings and I bond over different artists we listen to as well. Furthermore, I have made many friends thanks to music, both in real life and online. I have met amazing people, including some of my best friends, because of my choir and theater classes. They are some of the most dedicated, talented, and passionate people I know, and I am lucky to have worked with them. Additionally, I have spoken to many people online, such as aspiring artists and people in welcoming fanbases. I have collaborated with a few people through the internet, and I am happy with what we have created together. As I make music, I have two goals. My first goal is for people to connect because of my music. I want people to make friends and feel welcomed in a community, just like I did. The second goal I have is for listeners to find confidence within themselves. I want my audience to feel inspired to create. I want them to find their passion and showcase what they love to the world. Most importantly, I want people to know that they can do anything as long as they work hard and have fun while doing it. If a black 17-year-old first-generation American can strive to achieve her dreams, anyone can.

The "Road Work Ahead" meme was ahead of its time. Drew Gooden saw an opportunity to record a video, and several years later, the iconic 6-second clip is still a hit. I found the meme when I was ten. I did not have many friends in elementary school. Therefore, I spent most of my time watching videos online. I stumbled across the "Road Work Ahead" video and laughed for a solid two minutes. I thought it was the funniest thing in the world. The clip brought me comfort in a time where I felt isolated and left out. The meme continues to give me comfort when I am not feeling my best. I constantly quote the clip to this day. I made my own road work sign in honor of the meme. I still watch Drew Gooden on YouTube as well. The video may be a simple meme to the average person. However, "Road Work Ahead" holds a special place in my heart.

A person once said, “to travel is to live.” I always wanted to go outside of the United States. I have never gotten the chance to do so because of financial circumstances. Because I have been stuck in my house for nearly a year, I want to explore more than ever. Therefore, I would travel if money was not an issue. One reason as to why I want to travel is for relaxation purposes. I am constantly working, whether it is for school or on my extracurricular activities. My friends and family tell me that I need to take a break. However, I do not have much else to do besides work. Traveling will be a marvelous opportunity to focus on me. I would bring my family along so they can experience the places we go as well. They have always wanted to visit different areas. I want them to be a part of the journey. Another reason I want to travel is for musical purposes. One dream I have is to perform for people around the world. I have met many people on the Internet because of musical artists. I want to meet people because of my art. I also want to hear different musical styles from various countries. I want to connect with as many cultures as possible to hear their stories and their talents. You can listen to people’s voices and narratives online. However, I want to experience this in person. Finally, I want to help people all over our planet. Many countries are less fortunate compared to the United States. Some people are losing their rights every single day, which is heartbreaking. Natural disasters occur and cause damage as well. I want to go to these places and learn more about their history and their circumstances. I want to talk to people who are directly affected and help in any way I can. I am doing my best to educate myself on what is happening in the world. Nonetheless, I want to do more. Traveling may be an ordinary answer. However, I would like to change it from basic to life-changing. I want to leave an impact on the world. Traveling is a way for me to make that a reality.

People need to be involved in their communities because one small act can lead to massive change. There are many ways to help the community, from environmental situations to homelessness. If someone assists a person in any capacity, there can be a positive impact on both ends. Additionally, working in the community can lead to life-changing connections that can help you be successful. One can learn life lessons and use their new skills to grow in the future. Another massive change can be influencing others to work as well. If one person shares their experience, more people will feel encouraged to work in their community. I help my community through my school’s Black Student Union. I participated in the club all four years of high school. The two main community events we led are Multicultural Night and the Save Our Streets March. Our goal for Multicultural Night is to bring organizations and community members together for a night of food and entertainment. We strive to unify everyone and celebrate the diversity in our city. With the Save Our Streets March, we want to educate the community on issues inside the area. For instance, we talk about the oppression of people of color on our campus and within our city. Even though the subjects are challenging to address, it brings the situations to our participants’ attention. In the future, I plan on having a music career. I want to help my community by using music to highlight issues happening in the area. I want to bring attention to topics that are not talked about as often. These topics include mental health, racism, and inequality. Music is a way for people to express themselves. I want my music to bring issues that community members and I have dealt with to light. If I receive the scholarship, the money will go towards pursuing my music career. I will make sure to raise awareness concerning issues in my community within my career.

I am passionate about music. I started performing at nine years old and writing original works at fourteen. As of March 2021, I have released two extended plays and multiple singles. I am planning on releasing my first album this year as well. However, I aspire to create more varied musical content. I want to develop a project that incorporates my thoughts while blending different genres. My goal is to show people that African African women can sing multiple genres and address any topic of their choosing. I am pushing to break stereotypes in my creations. People tend to associate black artists with hip-hop, R&B, and pop music. I mostly make pop music. However, I want to show listeners that black women can go beyond said genres. Additionally, pop is a broad genre. It incorporates a plethora of music styles. I listen to alternative, indie, and singer-songwriter music. I am working towards including elements of the listed genres in my “pop” works. Eventually, I hope to branch away from solely pop music and sing in every genre I enjoy. Music is an example of how people can express themselves. Last year, I touched on subjects such as mental health and life during a pandemic. Furthermore, my upcoming project reflects on the effects of the media. For the future project, I want to touch on even more personal points in my life. When I write, I keep my lyrics slightly generic. That way, listeners can easily find their narrative in the song. Relatability is important. Nonetheless, I want to try making my lyrics more intimate than relatable. I want to take real-life experiences and tell my story, not anyone else’s. I think it is vital for people to see my creation because I want to encourage people to share their voices, defeat stereotypes, and go against the norms. I want to set an example of that through my music. Additionally, I am always trying to find ways to step out of my comfort zone. I want people to see the project as a way to step out of their comfort zones as well. I stand by breaking stereotypes and using my voice. They are significant aspects of my life. I will produce a project that involves those ideas. As I continue with music as a full-time career, I will strive to make my dream of including versatility and individual components within all of my works into a reality.

2020 was a difficult year for many people’s mental health, myself included. Although I have dealt with seasonal depression and anxiety beforehand, the pandemic allowed these concerns to increase. However, a moment where my mental health tanked was after the death of George Floyd. In May of last year, I opened Instagram to aimlessly scroll on the app. After a few minutes, I saw a post of a black man with a police officer’s knee on his neck. I immediately freaked out. On top of the global COVID-19 pandemic, another pandemic continued to spread: racism. As a black person, I was petrified. Another person of color was abused horrifically and it was broadcasted to the entire world. People came together to speak up for justice. The new black lives matter movement was formed. While people unified, I stayed inside and panicked. I did not talk to anyone besides my mother and brother for several days. I stayed off of social media, cried, and ate out of stress. I felt hopeless. Many black people wrongfully died, and I did not want to be next. After days of my anxiety being at a record high, I finally decided to do something. I wrote. I decided to creatively communicate my fears and worries by writing a poem called “It’s 2020”. I spoke about racism being an issue for centuries and how the community must improve by discussing the topic more frequently. Everyone needs to educate themselves and work together to spread love. We have made some progress, but we still have a long way to go. I want to positively impact the people who have been through similar experiences by encouraging them to use a creative outlet. Writing poetry, creating music, and drawing all have assisted me in my lowest moments, including George Floyd’s murder. Creative expression is a healthy way to express oneself and can be entertaining as well. Even though I continue to battle with anxiety, art provides a way to persevere through unfortunate moments. I hope that others in similar mindsets can follow the same imaginative path.

Imagine this: It is 2015. A 12-year-old is scrolling through YouTube. She stumbles across one of her favorite content creators, Jon Cozart. In the video’s thumbnail, a woman with a ukulele sits beside him. The girl clicks on the video, entitled “An Awkward Duet”. She learns that the woman’s name is Dodie Clark. After listening to the duet, the girl started to watch more of Dodie’s videos. Little did this girl know that Dodie would change her life. I have always loved music. I enjoyed singing and I started performing at a young age. Additionally, I loved finding new artists. In middle school, I became obsessed with Dodie. I watched her videos daily and frequently sang her songs. A few months after solely posting on YouTube, Dodie released her debut EP, Intertwined. One track stood out: “When”. In the song, Dodie shares her struggles with finding comfort outside of the past and describes how she does not live in the moment. To this day, I catch myself reminiscing on the past and focusing on my fear of growing older. I saw my narrative in the track. I never connected to a song that much before. I realized I wanted to write music similar to Dodie’s. I desired to make songs that could be other people’s “When”. As time passed, I wrote my first song and received positive feedback. From that moment forward, I wrote as much as possible. Years later, I began to lose motivation. I stopped writing in late 2019. I still enjoyed singing and listening to others’ music, but my ambition disappeared. During this difficult time, I saw a video of Dodie with her then-tour opener Adam Melchor. The two sang Adam’s original song “Jewel” together. I fell in love with the record. After hearing “Jewel”, I wanted to write again. I grabbed my songbook but immediately placed it back down out of fear. I did not write another song until March of 2020. On the third day of the pandemic lockdown, I opened Instagram and began to watch Adam Melchor’s Instagram live stream where he sang his music. As he explained the meaning behind his songs and gave advice to aspiring musicians, something sparked in me. Hearing Adam’s process and wisdom helped me gain motivation again. I picked up a pencil and began to write for the first time in months. I have not stopped since. Dodie and Adam Melchor still inspire me. Now, I am pursuing a full-time music career. Because of my hard work, dedication, and newfound commitment, I was accepted at Berklee College of Music. I want to attend, but the cost stands in the way. I live in a low-income household with a single mother. She supports my passion, but money is a conflicting factor. Therefore, I will use this scholarship towards Berklee’s fees. I want to follow my dream at a school that will help me flourish. I am ready to take my performing skills and songwriting to the next level.

Over time, I discovered a love for music. At first, I was hesitant about pursuing a music career. However, I realized that singing and writing is what I am born to do. Now, I am interested in studying vocal performance and songwriting in college. I have been singing since I learned how to use my mouth to make noises other than crying. Although I enjoyed it, I could not speak let alone sing in front of anyone. I was so petrified, I hid behind my dad in any group setting without saying a single word. Although I eventually started talking to people outside of the members of my household, the only times I sang were for my siblings and parents. That all changed in the summer of 2013. Knowing my artistic interests, my dad enrolled me in my summer camp’s music class. For the course’s duration, we learned “Stand By Me”. The teacher announced that auditions for solos were open. I mustered the courage to audition. I walked up to the microphone, closed my eyes, and while shaking uncontrollably, I sang the first verse. Everyone cheered and I was awarded the solo. Later that month, the group and I performed in front of an audience. Once my nerves subsided, I began to enjoy myself. As I clenched the microphone, I realized that I wanted to perform for the rest of my life. After elementary school, I continued to pursue my interest in music. In middle school, I auditioned for a choir solo. People doubted me because I was soft-spoken. However, once I started singing, jaws dropped. From that moment forward, I auditioned for at least one solo per year. In high school, I joined my school’s chamber choir and theater program. I took what I learned from the programs and began to create original compositions. After tons of practice, I gained new skills and felt confident in my work. I then tried out for my school’s annual talent show. I did not place, but people enjoyed what I produced. I kept working hard, received feedback, and in the following year’s show, I placed second. In April, I was diagnosed with pneumonia. The doctors said it was best for me to quarantine for two weeks. During that time, I finalized and released my first EP, What’s On My Mind. Once I finished that project, I started working on my most recent EP release, Quaran-Tunes. Both works focus on overcoming obstacles and finding my own voice. Because of my dedication and passion, Berklee College of Music in Boston accepted me. I want to continue my commitment and devotion there. I always strive to improve in both singing and songwriting. I am pleased with how far I have come, and I am excited to see what the future holds as well. If I could tell the younger me who hid behind my father’s legs anything, I would tell her that she can follow her dreams, because there is no need to be afraid.

Picture this: The year is 2016. A 13-year-old girl, who recently finished practicing music for her choir class, checks her phone. She receives a notification from one of her favorite artists. The artist released a new song! The girl clicks the play button, listens, and after three minutes and fifteen seconds, she bursts into tears. The song? “When” by Dodie. “When” discusses not living in the present or any moment at all. At thirteen, I always caught myself reminiscing on the past. I tended to focus on my fear of growing older as well. I never spent my time living in “the now.” Dodie wrote the song to share her struggles with finding comfort outside of the past. She creates fake stories to make herself happier as well. This is due to her derealization and depersonalization disorders. Although I do not struggle with the mentioned disorders, I related to the majority of the lyrics. I saw my narrative within the track. I never connected to a song that much before. I realized I wanted to write music similar to Dodie’s. I desired to make songs that could be other people’s “When”. I did not know where to start, but I was motivated to learn. I already loved to sing, and writing songs became an exciting side project. After watching several interviews and taking in advice, I mustered the courage to write my first song. I felt extremely accomplished completing original music. I did not believe I could write something by myself. I played the song for my friends and family and received positive feedback. Since then, I wrote as much as possible. Months later, in 2018, I heard “When” live in concert. As Dodie sang her lyrics and played the piano, fans screamed along. Meanwhile, I cried. For the first time in years, I lived in the present. I did not think about what happened before the concert. I did not worry about my life once I left that venue. I solely focused on hearing Dodie’s vocals and words. At that moment, I knew I wanted to perform and write for the rest of my life. Today, I am still inspired by Dodie. I write songs and perform regularly. Recently, Berklee College of Music accepted me for the fall of 2021 academic year. I am hoping to attend the school and continue my music career there. One day, I wish to thank Dodie for inspiring me to write. She is the reason I applied for Berklee. She is the reason I never stopped creating. For now, I will keep working hard to achieve my musical dreams. As I persevere, I will strive to live in the moment.

Music used to be a hobby. It started with making up melodies on the spot in my mom's voice memos when I was five years old. Now, music is the career path I want to take. I plan on receiving a degree in music performance after graduation. In the past, I performed in concerts for my old church, choir concerts throughout my teen years, and musicals for all of high school. At the beginning of my freshmen year, I wrote my first real song. I started to feel more inspired to write last year in quarantine. Since then, I released two extended plays and a few singles. I now aim to write two to three songs a month and plan on releasing my first album later this year. At first, I was hesitant about pursuing a career in music because of the challenges many artists face. However, it is a chance I am willing to take. Music is essential to me because it gives me many opportunities I would have never received otherwise. Without music, I would not have met so many great people and build such strong connections. I want my music and performances to be the segway to people meeting one another as well. Additionally, singing allows me to let out my feelings in a healthy way. I tend to bottle up my emotions frequently. Music provides an outlet to express my thoughts, worries, and various energies for others to listen to and possibly relate to. I hope that by continuing my journey at a college or university, I can find and gain more strengths in both my music and performing abilities. I am at a strong start and only want to climb the mountain higher. When I achieve this dream, I know that I will make the five-year-old girl humming in her mom's iPhone proud.

I have and continue to release music. Sometimes, I hesitate before sharing my art. I am young and still learning. However, my playlist shows that anyone can create music at any age. Each song is written or performed by people who are or were teenagers, like me. From recent songs such as Olivia Rodrigo's single "Drivers License" to Rex Orange County's 2015 release "Corduroy Dreams", these artists showcased their gift at a young age. I want to do the same when releasing music now and as I adapt additional skills. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtT7lzFuc0AAnCbIYEFf2DHNiLhm3msje

Picture this: It is 2010. Two adults, a toddler, and two small children are sitting at a table. As you listen in, you hear the adults ask, “Zari, who do you want to live with?” Those were the words my parents said to seven-year-old me. Little did I know that those words would change my life forever. For the past ten years, I have been living with my single mom. At first, it was hard for me. I had grown accustomed to living with both parents. When my dad initially moved out, I was heartbroken. Moving 3,000 miles away from him a year later did not make the situation easier for me. My mom, siblings, and I were in a new town. We did not know many people and we were miles away from our family. While everything was abnormal to me, my mom stayed strong and continued to be supportive. At first, I found it difficult to talk to my mom about anything. She was dealing with her thoughts and responsibilities. Even though I knew she loved me, I felt as if I were a burden. Due to this, I grew to be super sensitive. On the outside, I attempted to stay as optimistic as possible. On the inside, nonetheless, were fear and anxiety. I did not want to make life tougher for my mom. Therefore, I barely told her how I was doing. This caused me to build up all of my frustrations and worries. Those feelings lasted for years. I frequently took my rage out on those around me. I finally talked to my mom about my unstable headspace and aggravation. She reminded me that as my mother, I should not be afraid to discuss challenging topics with her. Since then, I grew closer to my mom. While we have our occasional moments, being more open with her has helped me with my mental health and complex thoughts. Being close to my mom has been an adventure every day. After opening up to her, she taught me to have more fun while I still can. We joke about what’s trending on social media. We sing random songs of varied genres together, such as pop, rock, and musical theater. I show her YouTube videos that make me laugh, while she shows me her interesting Facebook videos and memes. When our days are rough, we rant about every detail. We also give each other advice. I tend to recycle the advice she gives me, but she still listens. One piece of advice she gave me was to do what I love. She said I should not care about what other people say or think. I need to do what is best for me and my interests. My mom’s advice came into play when I started making music. Music was a way for me to let go of my negative thoughts more healthily. Once I wrote and played my first song for her, she gave me positive feedback. My mom is honest, so I knew I had potential. Today, I would not be pursuing a music career if it was not for her. She continually sings my songs at random moments. She helps me prepare for my auditions. She even sends my songs to all of her friends. Additionally, winning this scholarship would help me continue to work towards this profession at a four-year college. My mom works as a part-time caregiver and goes to school. I do not want her to stress about helping me pay for college too. She has done a lot for me. The $1000 would be great financial assistance for both of us. While I have many intentions in life, my main goal is to continue to make my mom proud. She raised three children by herself while keeping food on the table and a roof over our heads. I am extremely in awe of her and what she has accomplished. I wish for her to continue to feel that same way towards me and what I achieve in the future.