The center of my personal life and my educational journey has always been music. You can always find me with headphones in my ears, at a music event, or annotating sheet music. From fourth grade orchestra class to a senior year symphony, creating music has been my motivation. Without music, I have no direction. The music program at my highschool has allowed me to develop unique skills as well as make lifelong friends. My participation in music has taught me drive and leadership skills that will help me in my future aspirations. The friendships I have made through music are still alive to this day. The orchestra I played with in middle school is the same orchestra I play with now, and we have a connection that could not have been achieved in any other way. Playing music with a group of people creates a sense of unity and a true understanding. In my almost 8 years of playing music I have found that it is what inspires and motivates me. The sense of community from playing with a group and the exhilarating feeling that comes with doing what you love is worth all of the effort that goes into participating in music. The first time I ever played in a symphony orchestra is what made me fall in love with playing all over again. I was first given the opportunity to play in the Harford All County Orchestra in my sophomore year of high school. I recall the first group rehearsal with the conductor when we ran through our first piece and being blown away. The winds and percussion surrounding the sound of the strings was incredible. I was inspired in that moment to continue on the path of music for highschool, and now, beyond. I now look forward to whenever I am given the opportunity to play with instruments other than strings, as it opened an entirely new world for me. Throughout the years of playing my instruments, music has brought me so much joy. There is nothing like sitting on a stage with your closest friends, learning new techniques with your instructor, or practicing alone for something that is important to you. I intend to motivate my peers continue to pursue music in their futures in order to keep the joy of music alive. I look forward to my future recitals, rehearsals, practice sessions and friendships that will come from music in the next few years of college.