WoodaWorx Music Scholarship

For as long as I can remember, music has been an integral part of my life. Given my affinity for music, I knew from a tender age that I wanted to pursue a career in music. I have been singing for almost as long as I could talk. My love of music extended to paper and pen around when I was in third grade. I had dabbled in songwriting for a few years before then, but I consider “See Your Face,” by eight-year-old Alyssa to be my debut. Now, I combine my love for songwriting, singing, instrumentation, and production to create multiple original works that I share on my online platforms. Upon reflection, I can say that music has not only served as a pastime for me but also a way of coping. Being human, my life has naturally seen many mountains and valleys. More recently, I was diagnosed with a few disorders, which have presented many challenges for me, mood stability being among the most prominent. When I first started suffering from panic attacks, singing would instantly diffuse tension from my body. In 2022, my uncle suggested that I start learning guitar to accompany my singing and provide a healthy distraction from my problems. Reconciling my passions by writing out my feelings or experiences and putting them to music on my guitar or piano has proven to be therapeutic for me. As big as my dreams are, I recognize that I have to be realistic in realizing that there is not always an easy path to the top, especially for young, black females, like myself. In addition to talent and affinity for music, it is beneficial for an aspiring musician to have a decent concept of how things work in the business world. I am pursuing a business major with a music minor in order to best be able to properly market something that I genuinely enjoy. I see my dreams coming to fruition as an all-around win because I can make a living doing what I love and inspire other young black women to chase their dreams as well. When it comes to making a worldwide impact, my goal is to spread awareness by putting difficult feelings into words and giving a voice to those who are usually not heard. For instance, I recently wrote and recorded a song that alerts the loved ones of people who are struggling to pay attention to the warning signs before their loved one does something drastic. The song also includes the suicide hotline in the lyrics, something that I hope will make people who are suffering suicidal ideation more aware of what resources are available to them. Unfortunately, mental health has traditionally been a taboo topic in black households. Being raised by a Jamaican parent, I can attest to the strict and sometimes emotionally harmful environment that can exist in our culture. Through my music, I intend to elevate black voices, especially those of listeners who themselves have struggled with mental health. I am hopeful that I will be considered for this scholarship as a step toward making my dreams a reality.

From the moment I could understand what music was, I absolutely fell in love with it. I always knew I wanted to pursue a career in music, but I didn't know what kind of career until I made it to high school. Growing up in a low-income area, our schools weren't the greatest, and they didn't offer programs to students like me who don't just love football or other sports. When I moved to a better neighborhood in 2019 and attended Maryvale High School, that's when my love of music and the arts grew. I joined the Musical Theatre club and was in it for my full high school years, eventually being nominated for Outstanding Leading Actor in the then Kenny Awards. I also joined the chorus club. It was my senior year when I met my new chorus teacher that I knew I wanted to teach music. The choice to become a teacher never crossed my mind in previous years. But the way my senior year choir teacher showed me how much music could mean to someone, I knew that's what I wanted to do with my life. I didn't care if it took another four years of school, with an extra two in graduate school, as long as I got to teach music, then I was okay. Music has been my solace, my passion, and my joy. It's been the one constant in my life, no matter what else was going on. I want to share that love and passion with others, especially those who might not have had the opportunities I did growing up. I want to teach in schools where students might not have access to the arts otherwise, and show them the beauty and power of music. I've seen firsthand the impact that music can have on students' lives. It's not just about learning notes and rhythms; it's about learning discipline, teamwork, and creativity. It's about building confidence and self-expression. And it's about creating a community where everyone is welcome and valued. So what drives my passion for music? The idea that some day I'll be able to teach it, and introduce it to young minds like it was introduced to me, and hopefully they fall in love with music like I did