“Music is the universal language of mankind,” is a powerful and profound statement that holds true in my life. There are 7,139 known languages, 195 countries, and about 8 billion people on planet Earth. It is mind-boggling to think how vast the world is, not to mention beyond our planet. There are several species, but the human experience is a special one. The experience of a human who happens to be a musician is even richer. The life of a musician consists of so many profound moments through rehearsals, performances, and connections with others. One of the best parts about being a musician is being a part of a community. Whether it be a choir, orchestra, band, opera cast, etc., music brings people together. There is no language barrier in music; people from all over the world can connect through this art form regardless of where they are from. One of my favorite memories as a musician is a fairly recent one. On March 30th, 2023, I had the privilege of performing at Carnegie Hall with the Westminster Choir at the New York Chorus Festival. This specific concert was a benefit for the victims of the Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami. This festival consisted of several choral ensembles from the United States and Japan. It was such an amazing experience to be able to hear singers from the other side of the world share their voices. At the end of the concert, all of the ensembles sang, “Tsubasa wo Kudasai” (a Japanese pop song) and “Imagine” by John Lennon together. I fondly remember all of the smiles and friendly waves of the Japanese singers. Being able to sing with everyone at this event made me realize music's true impact. Although I am so different from other singers at that concert, I am also so similar as well. All of the people at Carnegie Hall that night shared at least one thing in common, music. We all came together to share our love and passion for music and I will never forget that. Everywhere I go in my musical journey, I will always remember that “music is the universal language of mankind”. I am probably one of the luckiest people on earth because I get to make music every single day with people that I love. One of life's most important things is the people you love and surround yourself with. Music has brought me many wonderful connections and relationships that I will never take for granted. This is a special thing and has impacted my life positively and will continue to do so. Singing is my life’s passion and the field in which I want to make an impact. Opera is a magnificent art form and something that can be used as a tool for good. Through new works written by living composers, important messages can be said. Through art, activism, inclusion, and equality can emerge. I am passionate about sharing stories through beautiful music and acting on stage. In my future career, I want to inspire others through art and I want to be a mentor to other aspiring musicians. I want to be a voice teacher and help others grow in their musical journey. Being in the music industry is not easy because there is always the risk of being judged and perceived. Singers’ instruments are a part of their bodies and it can feel very vulnerable to share their voices with the world. I know that I sometimes struggle with this hard truth. I can’t wait to have the ability to be a mentor for others. https://youtu.be/-8pgoKDUADo

“Music is the universal language of mankind,” is a powerful and profound statement that holds true in my life. There are 7,139 known languages, 195 countries, and about 8 billion people on planet Earth. It is mind-boggling to think how vast the world is, not to mention beyond our planet. There are several species, but the human experience is a special one. The experience of a human who happens to be a musician is even richer. The life of a musician consists of so many profound moments through rehearsals, performances, and connections with others. One of the best parts about being a musician is being a part of a community. Whether it be a choir, orchestra, band, opera cast, etc., music brings people together. There is no language barrier in music; people from all over the world can connect through this art form regardless of where they are from. One of my favorite memories as a musician is a fairly recent one. On March 30th, 2023, I had the privilege of performing at Carnegie Hall with the Westminster Choir at the New York Chorus Festival. This specific concert was a benefit for the victims of the Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami. This festival consisted of several choral ensembles from the United States and Japan. It was such an amazing experience to be able to hear singers from the other side of the world share their voices. At the end of the concert, all of the ensembles sang, “Tsubasa wo Kudasai” (a Japanese pop song) and “Imagine” by John Lennon together. I fondly remember all of the smiles and friendly waves of the Japanese singers. Being able to sing with everyone at this event made me realize music's true impact. Although I am so different from other singers at that concert, I am also so similar as well. All of the people at Carnegie Hall that night shared at least one thing in common, music. We all came together to share our love and passion for music and I will never forget that. Everywhere I go in my musical journey, I will always remember that “music is the universal language of mankind”. I am probably one of the luckiest people on earth because I get to make music every single day with people that I love. One of life's most important things is the people you love and surround yourself with. Music has brought me many wonderful connections and relationships that I will never take for granted. This is a special thing and has impacted my life positively and will continue to do so. Singing is my life’s passion and the field in which I want to make an impact. Opera is a magnificent art form and something that can be used as a tool for good. Through new works written by living composers, important messages can be said. Through art, activism, inclusion, and equality can emerge. I am passionate about sharing stories through beautiful music and acting on stage. In my future career, I want to inspire others through art and I want to be a mentor to other aspiring musicians. I want to be a voice teacher and help others grow in their musical journey. Being in the music industry is not easy because there is always the risk of being judged and perceived. Singers’ instruments are a part of their bodies and it can feel very vulnerable to share their voices with the world. I know that I sometimes struggle with this hard truth. I can’t wait to have the ability to be ta mentor for others.

“Music is the universal language of mankind,” is a powerful and profound statement that holds true in my life. There are several species, but the human experience is a special one. The experience of a human who happens to be a musician is even richer. The life of a musician consists of so many profound moments and connections with others. One of the best parts about being a musician is being a part of a community. Music brings people together. There is no language barrier in music; people can connect through it regardless of where they are from. One of my favorite memories is a recent one. On March 30th, 2023, I performed at Carnegie Hall with the Westminster Choir at the New York Chorus Festival. This concert was a benefit for the victims of the Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami. This festival consisted of several choirs from the United States and Japan. It was an amazing experience to hear singers from the other side of the world share their voices. At the end of the concert, all the ensembles sang “Tsubasa wo Kudasai” and “Imagine” by John Lennon. I fondly remember all of the smiles and friendly waves of the Japanese singers. Being able to sing with everyone made me realize music's true impact. Although I am different from other singers, I am also similar. All of us at Carnegie Hall shared at least one thing in common, music. We all came together to share our love and passion for music. I am probably one of the luckiest people on earth because I get to make music every single day with people that I love. One of life's most important things is the people you love and surround yourself with. Music has brought me many wonderful connections and relationships, which I will never take for granted. This has impacted my life positively and will continue to do so. Singing is my life’s passion and the field in which I want to make an impact. Opera is an art form that can be used as a tool for good. Through new works written by living composers, important messages can be said. Through art, activism, inclusion, and equality can emerge. I am passionate about sharing stories through beautiful music and acting on stage. In my future career, I want to inspire others through art and I want to be a mentor to other aspiring musicians. I want to be a voice teacher and help others grow in their musical journey. Being in the music industry is not easy because there is always the risk of being judged and perceived. Singers’ instruments are a part of their bodies and it can feel very vulnerable to share their voices with the world. I know that I sometimes struggle with this hard truth. I can’t wait to have the ability to be a mentor for others. Everywhere I go in my musical journey, I will always remember that “music is the universal language of mankind”.

“Music is the universal language of mankind,” is such a powerful and profound statement that holds true in my life. There are 7,139 known languages, 195 countries, and about 8 billion people on planet Earth. It is absolutely mind-boggling to think how vast the world is, not to mention beyond our planet. There are several species, but the human experience is such a special one. The experience of a human who happens to be a musician is even richer. The life of a musician consists of so many profound moments through rehearsals, performances, and connections with others. One of the best parts about being a musician is being a part of a community. Whether it be a choir, orchestra, band, opera cast, etc., music brings people together. There is no language barrier in music; people from all over the world can connect through it regardless of where they are from. One of my favorite memories as a musician is a fairly recent one. On March 30th, 2023, I had the privilege of performing at Carnegie Hall with the Westminster Choir at the New York Chorus Festival. This specific concert was a benefit for the victims of the Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami. This festival consisted of several choral ensembles from the United States and Japan. It was such an amazing experience to hear singers from the other side of the world share their voices. At the end of the concert, all of the ensembles sang, “Tsubasa wo Kudasai” (a Japanese pop song) and “Imagine” by John Lennon together. I fondly remember all of the smiles and friendly waves of the Japanese singers. Being able to sing with everyone at this event made me realize music's true impact. Although I am so different from other singers at that concert, I am also so similar as well. All of the people at Carnegie Hall that night shared at least one thing in common, music. We all came together to share our love and passion for music and I will never forget that. Everywhere I go in my musical journey, I will always remember that “music is the universal language of mankind”. I am probably one of the luckiest people on earth because I get to make music every single day with people that I love. One of life's most important things is the people you love and surround yourself with. Music has brought me many wonderful connections and relationships that I will never take for granted. This is a special thing and has impacted my life positively and will continue to do so. Singing is my life’s passion and the field in which I want to impact the world. Opera is a magnificent art form and something that can be used as a tool for good. Through new works written by living composers, important messages can be said. Through art, activism, inclusion, and equality can emerge. I am extremely passionate about sharing stories through beautiful music and acting on stage. In my future career, I want to inspire others through art. I also want to be a mentor to other aspiring musicians. I want to be a voice teacher and help others grow in their musical journey. Being in the music industry is not easy because there is always the risk of being judged and perceived. Singers’ instruments are a part of their bodies and it can feel very vulnerable to share their voices with the world. I know that I sometimes struggle with this hard truth. I can’t wait to have the ability to be that person for somebody else.

My love for music and singing started early within my life, but my love for classical music and opera didn't develop until later. Some of my fondest memories are from 2006 when I lived in Stocksfield, England. My dad had a karaoke set attached to his Playstation, which fascinated me. I remember asking him to bring out the karaoke set so we could spend weekends singing Madonna and The Buggles. My dad also played acoustic guitar in his free time and would show me how to play basic campfire chords. Even though I was young, these moments are the ones that stick out to me the most because I felt an unexplainable feeling every time I sang on the karaoke set or played guitar. I carried this feeling with me in all my musical endeavors, but it wasn't until I was on stage at Westminster Choir College performing my first operatic role that I realized what it was. Singing gives me a profound sense of being, and the ability to express myself through sound is a priceless gift. One of my most recent experiences was at CoOperative in July 2023. This program has been essential in my growth as an artist, actress, singer, and person. I met many other singers who are pursuing the same path as me, and the connections I made will last me a lifetime. Spending a month on intensive musical training allowed me to delve deeper into my craft and art form more than ever before. It was exhilarating to learn so much in such a short amount of time. Performing multiple times a week, attending masterclasses, and meeting with several coaches every single day taught me so much. I also learned a lot from listening to and watching other young singers perform. Having the privilege to grow alongside other like-minded people is highly valuable. I am forever grateful for this program and the opportunity to work on my skills as a musician. Music has given me the gift of friendship. No matter where I go, I have always found a community and a home with music. I have found myself in some dark moments, but I have always been able to find refuge through music. Whether it's in a choral ensemble, band, or opera cast, I have made many meaningful connections along the way. One of life's most important things is the people you love and surround yourself with. Music has brought me many wonderful connections and relationships that I will never take for granted. This is a special thing and has impacted my life positively and will continue to do so. Singing is my life’s passion and the field in which I want to impact the world. Opera is a magnificent art form and is very important as well. Through new works written by living composers, important messages can be said. Through art, activism, inclusion, and equality can emerge. I am extremely passionate about sharing stories through beautiful music and acting on stage. In my future career, I want to inspire others through art. I also want to be a mentor to other aspiring musicians. I want to be a voice teacher and help others grow in their musical journey. Being in the music industry is not easy because there is always the risk of being judged and perceived. Singers’ instruments are a part of their bodies and it can be very vulnerable to sharing their voices with the world. I know that I sometimes struggle with this hard truth. I can’t wait to have the ability to be that person for somebody else.

My love for music and singing started early on in my life, but my love for classical music and opera didn't develop until later. Some of my fondest memories are from 2006 when I lived in Stocksfield, England. My dad had a karaoke set that plugged into his Playstation, which fascinated me. I remember asking him to bring out the karaoke set so we could spend weekends singing Madonna and The Buggles. My dad also played acoustic guitar in his free time and would show me how to play basic campfire chords. Even though I was young, these moments are the ones that stick out to me the most because I felt an unexplainable feeling every time I sang on the karaoke set or played guitar. I carried this feeling with me in all my musical endeavors, but it wasn't until I was on stage at Westminster Choir College performing my first operatic role that I realized what it was. Singing gives me a profound sense of being, and the ability to express myself through sound is a priceless gift. One of my most recent experiences was at CoOperative in July 2023. This program has been essential in my growth as an artist, actress, singer, and person. I met many other singers who are pursuing the same path as me, and the connections I made will last me a lifetime. Spending a month on intensive musical training allowed me to delve deeper into my craft and art form more than ever before. It was exhilarating to learn so much in such a short amount of time. Performing multiple times a week, attending masterclasses, and meeting with several coaches every single day taught me so much. I also learned a lot from listening to and watching other young singers perform. Having the privilege to grow alongside other like-minded people is highly valuable. I am forever grateful for this program and the opportunity to work on my skills as a musician. Music has given me the gift of friendship. No matter where I go, I have always found a community and a home with music. I have found myself in some dark moments, but I have always been able to find refuge through music. Whether it's in a choral ensemble, band, or opera cast, I have made many meaningful connections along the way. One of life's most important things is the people you love and surround yourself with. Music has brought me many wonderful connections and relationships that I will never take for granted. This is a special thing and has impacted my life positively and will continue to do so. Singing is my life’s passion and the field in which I want to impact the world. Opera is a magnificent art form and is very important as well. Through new works written by living composers, important messages can be said. Through art, activism, inclusion, and equality can emerge. I am extremely passionate about sharing stories through beautiful music and acting on stage. In my future career, I want to inspire others through art. I also want to be a mentor to other aspiring musicians. I want to be a voice teacher and help others grow in their musical journey. Being in the music industry is not easy. There is always the risk of being judged and perceived. Singers’ instruments are a part of their bodies and can be very vulnerable to sharing their voices with the world. I know that I sometimes struggle with this hard truth. I can’t wait to have the ability to be that person for somebody else.

My love for music and singing started early on in my life, but my love for classical music and opera didn't develop until later. Some of my fondest memories are from 2006 when I was in Stocksfield, England. My dad had a karaoke set and a game that plugged into his Playstation, which fascinated me. I remember asking him to bring out the karaoke set so we could spend weekends singing Madonna and The Buggles. My dad also played acoustic guitar in his free time and would show me how to play basic campfire chords. Even though I was young, these moments are the ones that stick out to me the most because I felt an unexplainable feeling every time I sang on the karaoke set or played guitar. I carried this feeling with me in all my musical endeavors, but it wasn't until I was on stage at Westminster Choir College performing my first operatic role that I realized what it was. Singing gives me a profound sense of being, and the ability to express myself through sound is a priceless gift. One of my most recent experiences was at CoOperative in July 2023. This program has been essential in my growth as an artist, actress, singer, and as a person. I met many other singers who are pursuing the same path as me, and the connections I made will last me a lifetime. Spending a month on intensive musical training allowed me to delve deeper into my craft and art form more than ever before. It was exhilarating to learn so much in such a short amount of time. Performing multiple times a week, attending masterclasses, and meeting with several coaches every single day taught me so much. I also learned a lot from listening to and watching other young singers perform. Having the privilege to grow alongside other like-minded people is something that I will cherish forever. I am forever grateful for this program and the opportunity to work on my skills as a musician. Music has given me the gift of friendship. No matter where I have gone in my journey, I have always found a community and a home with music. I have found myself in some dark moments, but I have always been able to find refuge through music. Whether it's in a choral ensemble, rock band, or opera cast, I have made many meaningful connections along the way. One of life's most important things is the people you love and surround yourself with. Music has brought me many wonderful connections and relationships that I will never take for granted. This is a special thing that has impacted my life positively and will continue to do so.

“Music is the universal language of mankind,” is such a powerful and profound statement that holds true in my life. There are 7,139 known language , 195 countries, and about 8 billion people on planet earth. It is absolutely mind-boggling to think how vast the world is, not to mention beyond our planet. There are several species, but the human experience is such a special one. The experience of a human who happens to be a musician is an even richer experience. The life of a musician consists of so many profound moments through rehearsals, performances, and connection with others. In my opinion, one of the best parts about being a musician, is being a part of a community. Whether it be a choir, orchestra, band, opera cast, etc., music brings people together. Did you know that when a choir sings in unison, their heartbeats synchronize? This scientific fact is enough proof to show how powerful music is. There is no language barrier in music; people from all over the world can connect through this art form regardless of where they are from. One of my favorite memories as a musician is a fairly recent one. On March 30th of 2023, I had the privilege of being able to perform at Carnegie Hall with the Westminster Choir at the New York Chorus Festival. This specific concert was a benefit for the victims of the Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami. This festival consisted of several choral ensembles from the United States and from Japan. It was such an amazing experience to be able to hear singers from the other side of the world share their voices. At the end of the concert, all of the ensembles sang, “Tsubasa wo Kudasai” (a Japanese pop song) and “Imagine” by John Lennon together. I fondly remember all of the smiles and friendly waves of the Japanese singers. Being able to sing with everyone at this event really did make me realize the true impact of music. Although I am so different from other singers at that concert, I am also so similar as well. All of the people at Carnegie Hall that night shared at least one thing in common, music. We all came together to share our love and passion for music and I will never forget that. Everywhere I go in my musical journey, I will always remember that, “music is the universal language of mankind”. I am probably one of the luckiest people on earth because I get to make music every single day with people that I love.

My name is Eleanor Rees and I am currently a Senior Bachelor’s of Music, Voice Performance major at Westminster Choir College. I am currently seeking to further my education through the Vocal Arts Graduate program at Manhattan School of Music. I am originally from Newcastle, England, but have moved around a lot during my childhood. Singing is my life’s passion and is the field in which I want to make an impact on the world. Opera is a magnificent art form and is very important as well. Through new works written by living composers, important messages can be said. Through art, activism, inclusion, and equality can emerge. I am very passionate about sharing stories through beautiful music and acting on stage. In my future career I want to inspire others through art. I also want to be a mentor to other aspiring musicians. I have had the privilege of being guided by some amazing people, such as: voice teachers, choir directors, advisors, my parents etc. I want to be a voice teacher and I want to help others grow in their musical journey. Being in the music industry is not easy. There is always the risk of being judged and perceived. Singers’ instruments are a part of their bodies and it can be very vulnerable to share your voice with the world. I know that I sometimes struggle with this hard truth. I wouldn’t have been able to get where I am now without the support from my wonderful mentors. I can’t wait to be able to be that person for somebody else. This scholarship will greatly aid me in funding my education for graduate school. I am currently admitted to the Vocal Arts program at Manhattan School of Music and am not able to the pay the current cost of tuition. Receiving this scholarship would mean the world to me and reduce the steep financial burden of college. With this scholarship I will be able to pursue my passion for performing, singing, teaching, and mentoring. The performing arts is often underfunded and overlooked, but it is a crucial part of our society. It is also a significant part of what makes us human. Music brings people together and can provide joy to those in great need of it. It provides an outlet for expression and entertainment. It is so important to invest in the future of the arts for the future of the next generation. I have found refuge in this art form and hope to share that with others for the rest of my life. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this essay and for considering me for this scholarship.

My name is Eleanor Rees and I am currently a Senior Bachelor’s of Music, Voice Performance major at Westminster Choir College. I am currently seeking to further my education through the Vocal Arts Graduate program at Manhattan School of Music. I am originally from Newcastle, England, but have moved around a lot during my childhood. Singing is my life’s passion and is the field in which I want to make an impact on the world. Opera is a magnificent art form and is very important as well. Through new works written by living composers, important messages can be said. Through art, activism, inclusion, and equality can emerge. I am very passionate about sharing stories through beautiful music and acting on stage. I’m my future career I want to inspire others through art. I also want to be a mentor to other aspiring musicians. I have had the privilege of being guided by some amazing people, such as: voice teachers, choir directors, advisors, my parents etc. I want to be a voice teacher and I want to help others grow in their musical journey. Being in the music industry is not easy. There is always the risk of being judged and perceived. Singers’ instruments are a part of their bodies and it can be very vulnerable to share your voice with the world. I know that I sometimes struggle with this hard truth. I wouldn’t have been able to get where I am now without the support from my wonderful mentors. I can’t wait to be able to be that person for somebody else. Other than singing, another passion of mine is helping people through community service. I am also an active member of the Epsilon Lambda chapter of Alpha Xi Delta. Through this organization, I have had many rewarding experiences In community service. The philanthropy of Alpha Xi Delta is called “the Kindly Hearts Initiate,” which seeks to provide support to children experiencing foster care and homelessness. I have had to opportunity to participate in food drives, several fundraisers, and served in soup kitchens through this organization. My family are also proud members of Ruff House Rescue, a nonprofit animal rescue organization based in along Island. I have worked with this organization by volunteering to foster several adorable dogs and to provide transportation services. I am a huge animal lover and plan to continue to support local animal shelters and nonprofits wherever life takes me. If I were to receive this scholarship, it would help me immensely in pursuing my education. Thank you so much for taking the time to ready my essay and for considering me for this scholarship.