Music has been a constant in my life since I was six years old. Growing up in a military family, we moved frequently, which often left me feeling disconnected from the places I lived and the people around me. Each new city and school felt like another place where I didn’t quite belong. But music was always there, offering me comfort and connection when everything else felt uncertain. I first realized the power of music in second grade when my voice was recognized by my teachers, and I had the opportunity to sing the Star Spangled Banner at a school event. It was the first time I felt truly seen and heard. This moment sparked my love for singing and gave me a sense of identity. Moving to Kansas in middle school, I once again found myself isolated, dealing with mental health challenges and bullying. My family was living in an RV, and I didn’t fit the mold of my classmates. During this difficult time, I met my choral teacher, Mrs. Angeline McGuffin, who saw beyond my circumstances and encouraged me to embrace my voice. Under her guidance, I performed my first solo, What Child Is This?, during a Christmas concert, which transformed my self-confidence and sense of purpose. Since then, music has shaped my growth and resilience. I’ve been part of the KMEA State Honor Choir for six years in a row, earning medals for my performances. But beyond accolades, music has shown me its power to connect people. One of the most powerful moments of my journey happened at a concert when a man suffering from stage-four lung cancer told me I was the last voice he wanted to hear. This moment changed my perspective on music—it’s not just about technique or recognition; it’s about the power of art to comfort, heal, and bring people together. Music—and art in general—is essential to society because it speaks to the core of the human experience. It provides an outlet for emotions, tells stories that need to be heard, and creates a sense of community. In a world that can often feel disconnected or divisive, music brings people together. It transcends language, culture, and background, offering a universal language that unites us all. For me, music has been more than just a personal passion; it’s been a way to connect with others, offer comfort, and create shared experiences that transcend the individual. As I pursue a performance degree and a career in music education, I hope to continue sharing the transformative power of music. Through teaching and performing, I want to inspire students and audiences to discover the strength and healing that music offers. I believe that by helping others find their voice, I can pass on the same sense of connection, self-expression, and resilience that music has given me. Music is more than an art form—it’s a vital part of what makes us human and brings meaning to our lives.

Music has been my constant companion since I was six years old. Growing up in a military family, we moved frequently, often leaving me feeling disconnected from my peers and the places where I lived. Each new city and school felt like another place where I didn’t quite belong. But music was always there, offering me comfort and connection when everything else felt uncertain. In second grade, I was first recognized for my voice and had the opportunity to sing the Star Spangled Banner at a school event. That moment was pivotal—it marked the first time I truly felt seen and heard. After moving to Kansas in middle school, I struggled with isolation, mental health challenges, and bullying. My family lived in an RV, and I faced the stigma of not fitting in. But during that time, I met Mrs. Angeline McGuffin, my choral teacher. She was the first person to see beyond my situation and encourage me to embrace my voice. Under her guidance, I performed my first solo, What Child Is This?, during a Christmas concert. That experience transformed me. Music became not just a hobby, but a source of strength, purpose, and self-worth. Since then, music has shaped my growth and resilience. I’ve had the privilege of performing in the KMEA State Honor Choir for six consecutive years, earning medals for my performances. However, the most profound impact of music has been its ability to connect people. I will never forget a man at one of my concerts who, suffering from stage-four lung cancer, told me I was the last voice he wanted to hear. That moment shifted my perspective on music—it’s not just about technique or accolades; it’s about touching lives and providing solace when it’s needed most. This understanding of music’s power is what drives me to pursue a performance degree. I want to continue sharing music’s transformative impact through my voice. But I also believe that being a music educator will allow me to give back in a way that is deeply personal to me. I want to create a space where students, particularly those facing challenges like I once did, can find their voice and sense of belonging. As a teacher, I hope to guide students through their struggles and show them that music can be a way to heal, grow, and connect with others. While I don’t have a formal disability, my experiences growing up—dealing with frequent moves, mental health struggles, and financial hardship—have shaped my perspective. These challenges have deepened my empathy and understanding of how important music is in overcoming adversity. I want to be a source of inspiration for students who may feel disconnected or unsure of themselves, just as I once did. Ultimately, I aim to use my performance degree and future role as a music educator to inspire and guide others. Music has been the light in my life, and I want to share that light with others, helping them discover their strength, purpose, and voice through music.

Ever since I was 6 years old, my life has been surrounded by music. Growing up, my family always moved from place to place. I never really had friends or schools to relate to and to call home. The only time I was ever able to relate to someone closely was through music. When I started my education in second grade, I was told what a great voice I had. At the time I attended a smaller school in Missouri, but still stood out from the crowd of kids. I was given the stage to sing the Star Spangled Banner for the first time, that year. After elementary school, I moved yet again to Kansas where I have found my home. It was here where I struggled with my mental health and was unable to make new friends, for it was halfway through middle school in a small town. The first person I ever connected with was my choral teacher. Angeline McGuffin. At the time, I was dealing with another military move, and I was living in an RV with the rest of my 5 siblings and parents. We were unable to afford a house at the time, and I was bullied for it. Mrs. McGuffin led me to a place of hopefulness and strength in my voice and allowed me to sing my first concert solo. What Child Is This? That Christmas solo changed my life and transformed me into the person I am today. Since then I have made the KMEA State Honor Choir 6 years in a row, and have even gotten medals for it. Music allowed me to be outgoing and gave me the courage to believe in myself. Throughout my musical career, I have experienced the change my voice can make for people. At one of my recent concerts, a man suffering from stage four lung cancer told me I was the last voice he wanted to hear, this information changed my interpretation of music forever. As a music educator and performance major, I vow to change people's lives for the good. I want to help students find their path on the musical trail, and guide the lost to where they belong. Being a music educator also gives me leadership skills and allows me to guide students, who are in bad situations like I was, to salvation. My love and drive for music will never die, and I want the world to know.

Ever since I was 6 years old, my life has been surrounded by music. Growing up, my family always moved from place to place. I never really had friends or schools to relate to and to call home. The only time I was ever able to relate to someone closely was through music. When I started my education in second grade, I was told what a great voice I had. At the time I attended a smaller school in Missouri, but still stood out from the crowd of kids. I was given the stage to sing the Star Spangled Banner for the first time, that year. After elementary school, I moved yet again to Kansas where I have found my home. It was here where I struggled with my mental health and was unable to make new friends, for it was halfway through middle school in a small town. The first person I ever connected with was my choral teacher. Angeline McGuffin. At the time, I was dealing with another military move, and I was living in an RV with the rest of my 5 siblings and parents. We were unable to afford a house at the time, and I was bullied for it. Mrs. McGuffin led me to a place of hopefulness and strength in my voice and allowed me to sing my first concert solo. What Child Is This? That Christmas solo changed my life and transformed me into the person I am today. Since then I have made the KMEA State Honor Choir 6 years in a row, and have even gotten medals for it. Music allowed me to be outgoing and gave me the courage to believe in myself. Throughout my musical career, I have experienced the change my voice can make for people. At one of my recent concerts, a man suffering from stage four lung cancer told me I was the last voice he wanted to hear, this information changed my interpretation of music forever. As a music educator and performance major, I vow to change people's lives for the good. I want to help students find their path on the musical trail, and guide the lost to where they belong. Being a music educator also gives me leadership skills and allows me to guide students, who are in bad situations like I was, to salvation. My love and drive for music will never die, and I want the world to know.

Ever since I was 6 years old, my life has been surrounded by music. Growing up, my family always moved from place to place. I never really had friends or schools to relate to and to call home. The only time I was ever able to relate to someone closely was through music. When I started my education in second grade, I was told what a great voice I had. At the time I attended a smaller school in Missouri, but still stood out from the crowd of kids. I was given the stage to sing the Star Spangled Banner for the first time, that year. After elementary school, I moved yet again to Kansas where I have found my home. It was here where I struggled with my mental health and was unable to make new friends, for it was halfway through middle school in a small town. The first person I ever connected with was my choral teacher. Angeline McGuffin. At the time, I was dealing with another military move, and I was living in an RV with the rest of my 5 siblings and parents. We were unable to afford a house at the time, and I was bullied for it. Mrs. McGuffin led me to a place of hopefulness and strength in my voice and allowed me to sing my first concert solo. What Child Is This? That Christmas solo changed my life and transformed me into the person I am today. Since then I have made the KMEA State Honor Choir 6 years in a row, and have even gotten medals for it. Music allowed me to be outgoing and gave me the courage to believe in myself. Throughout my musical career, I have experienced the change my voice can make for people. At one of my recent concerts, a man suffering from stage four lung cancer told me I was the last voice he wanted to hear, this information changed my interpretation of music forever. As a music educator and performance major, I vow to change people's lives for the good. I want to help students find their path on the musical trail, and guide the lost to where they belong. Being a music educator also gives me leadership skills and allows me to guide students, who are in bad situations like I was, to salvation. My love and drive for music will never die, and I want the world to know.

Ever since I was 6 years old, my life has been surrounded by music. Growing up, my family always moved from place to place. I never really had friends or schools to relate to and to call home. The only time I was ever able to relate to someone closely was through music. When I started my education in second grade, I was told what a great voice I had. At the time I attended a smaller school in Missouri, but still stood out from the crowd of kids. I was given the stage to sing the Star Spangled Banner for the first time, that year. After elementary school, I moved yet again to Kansas where I have found my home. It was here where I struggled with my mental health and was unable to make new friends, for it was halfway through middle school in a small town. The first person I ever connected with was my choral teacher. Angeline McGuffin. At the time, I was dealing with another military move, and I was living in an RV with the rest of my 5 siblings and parents. We were unable to afford a house at the time, and I was bullied for it. Mrs. McGuffin led me to a place of hopefulness and strength in my voice and allowed me to sing my first concert solo. What Child Is This? That Christmas solo changed my life and transformed me into the person I am today. Since then I have made the KMEA State Honor Choir 6 years in a row, and have even gotten medals for it. Music allowed me to be outgoing and gave me the courage to believe in myself. Throughout my musical career, I have experienced the change my voice can make for people. At one of my recent concerts, a man suffering from stage four lung cancer told me I was the last voice he wanted to hear, this information changed my interpretation of music forever. As a music educator and performance major, I vow to change people's lives for the good. I want to help students find their path on the musical trail, and guide the lost to where they belong. Being a music educator also gives me leadership skills and allows me to guide students, who are in bad situations like I was, to salvation. My love and drive for music will never die, and I want the world to know.