I began playing music before I could crawl, according to my mom. I would bang on a white plastic container, and the rhythm never left me. Eventually, I upgraded to sparkly red drums, but it wasn’t until I saw Project Trio—a modern group of a cellist, bassist, and flutist—that I realized music could be more than just a fun activity; it could be a transformative force. I vividly remember watching Greg, the flutist, beat-boxing through his flute, blending classical, jazz, and hip-hop in a way that was entirely new to me. His dynamic and passionate performance sparked something within me, and the very next day, I begged my mom for flute lessons. Over the past eight years, I’ve dedicated myself to mastering the flute, exploring everything from classical flute repertoire to extended techniques like beatboxing. My passion for music expanded as I participated in concerts, workshops, and competitions, each experience challenging me and reinforcing the belief that music is a powerful, unifying force. But it wasn’t until I joined Harmony for Hearts, a nonprofit organization bringing together high school musicians to perform for senior citizens, that I truly grasped music’s ability to foster connection. As the chapter founder and leader of this group, I organize events that bring music to nursing homes, and one memory from our first holiday concert stands out. We sang carols to residents, and they joined in with enthusiasm. In that moment, I saw how music transcends age, background, and circumstance, uniting people in an indescribable way. This past school year, I had the opportunity to participate in the Cincinnati From Scratch composition program through the CSYO. My piece, Hope: A Necessity, is about my transformative feelings as a Jew experiencing antisemitism before and after the October 7th attack on Israel, and how it is imperative to remain hopeful in these times of tension. It was difficult to express these emotions in words, but the sounds in the music authentically conveyed what I couldn’t articulate. Through this composition, I not only conveyed the personal pain of religious hatred, but also aimed to resonate with others who have faced their own struggles, showing how music has the power to unite people in meaningful ways. My musical journey has been further enriched by attending summer programs at prestigious institutions like tOSU, UIUC, UMich, and IU. These experiences allowed me to collaborate with talented peers and learn from distinguished instructors, further reinforcing my belief in the power of music to bring people together. One of the most impactful experiences came when I was selected for the Ohio All-State Band in 2024. The months of preparation paid off, and working under Dr. T. André Feagin showed me how music can create a shared experience that transcends individual differences such as schools from all over the state. It reinforced that music, when performed together, has the power to unite individuals, allowing them to work toward a common goal and create something greater than themselves. Looking to the future, my goal is to earn a music education degree and become a high school band/music director. In this role, I hope to inspire my students in the same way that I’ve been inspired. Through my experiences, I’ve come to realize that music has the potential to transform individuals and communities by encouraging creativity, bringing people together, fostering empathy and emotion, and creating spaces for dialogue that might otherwise go unheard. It’s through this lens that I view art—whether it’s music, painting, dance, or theater—as an essential part of society’s fabric. I am passionate about sharing these superpowers with others.

From an early age, music has been an inseparable part of my life. My mom often says I started playing music before I could crawl. I would bang on a white plastic container as my first drum, and the spark of rhythm never left me. As I grew, I graduated to sparkly red drums, giving impromptu concerts for my family. Yet, it wasn’t until Project Trio—an innovative ensemble of a flutist, bassist, and cellist—performed at my school that I realized music could be more than just a personal joy; it could be a transformative force. I remember watching Greg Patillo, the flutist, beat-boxing through his flute, blending classical, jazz, and hip-hop in a way I’d never imagined. His performance ignited something in me, and the very next day, I begged my mom for flute lessons. That moment was pivotal, marking the beginning of my dedication to music, a journey that has shaped my academic path and aspirations. Over the last eight years, I’ve worked hard to improve my musicianship, exploring everything from classical flute repertoire to extended techniques like beatboxing. I’ve performed in competitions, workshops, and concerts, each experience building my skill and deepening my love for music. But it was through my work with *Harmony for Hearts*, a nonprofit organization bringing high school musicians together to perform at nursing homes, that I discovered the true power of music as a force for good. Our first concert, where we played holiday carols for elderly residents, remains one of my most cherished experiences. I realized then that music isn’t just for personal fulfillment—it can bring people together and make a meaningful impact. Alongside my work with Harmony for Hearts, I’ve been fortunate to attend summer music programs at The Ohio State University, the University of Illinois, University of Michigan, and Indiana University. These experiences have offered invaluable opportunities to learn from top faculty, work with exceptional peers, and push my skills to new heights. One of the most impactful moments of my journey was participating in the 2024 Ohio All-State Band. After a year of preparation, I was thrilled to be selected, and working under Dr. T. André Feagin showed me the kind of educator I want to be. His ability to create a supportive, focused environment while motivating us to excel was transformative, and I knew I wanted to pursue a career where I could do the same for my future students. At school, my band director, Mr. David Swift, has been another influential mentor. From leading sectionals to helping me explore music production, his guidance has been instrumental in shaping my ambitions. His ability to work across various areas of the performing arts, from band to musical theater, inspired me to pursue a career as a music educator. I am drawn to the idea of being a mentor who nurtures students’ love for music while challenging them to reach their full potential. Looking ahead, I plan to pursue a degree in music education with the goal of becoming a high school band director. Music has taught me how to express myself, connect with others, and make an impact. As I move forward in my educational journey, I want to help my future students discover the same joy and fulfillment that music has brought me. Through my work as a teacher, I hope to continue the cycle of inspiration, just as my mentors did for me. I’ll help students unlock the magic of the details in the black and white dots on the page in concert band, marching band, pit orchestra, and whatever ensembles I have the privilege of leading.

My mom says I started playing music even before I could crawl. I remember the white plastic container I used as my first drum and my first ever jam sessions. Eventually, I put on many concerts for my family with the sparkly red drums my grandparents bought me. Because I drummed everywhere and played non-stop, I seemed destined for drum lessons. Everything changed when Project Trio performed at my school. The trio consisted of a flutist, a bassist, and a cellist. Their classical, hip-hop, jazz fusion energized me, making me dance in my seat. I was particularly fascinated by the unorthodox flutist, Greg Patillo. Not only was he playing the flute, but he was adding beat-boxing into it as well! My wide-eyed little fourth-grade self was not only captivated by the drum sounds he was making, but also by the passion and confidence that poured out of him, oozing into me and everyone in the audience. Hearing him opened my eyes to a whole new realm of possibilities. The very next day, I begged my mom for flute lessons. I still have my first flute sitting in my closet. The plastic instrument, with its curved headjoint for my short kid arms, might not have been as shiny as Greg’s silver one, but to me, it was just as magical. Eager to get started, I blew for an hour until I could make a sound. I was ecstatic when I finally produced my first squeak. Over the past eight years, I’ve worked hard to improve my musicianship, exploring everything from classical repertoire to extended techniques (including beat-boxing). I’ve spent countless hours tackling difficult repertoire to perform at competitions, summer workshops, and performances. I’m proud of my growth and successes, but starting a chapter of Harmony for Hearts has truly helped me realize what I only grasped at that concert long ago – music can be a force for good. I saw a post for Harmony on Instagram and immediately knew I wanted to start a chapter. Harmony is a student-run, nonprofit organization that brings together high school musicians for performances at nursing homes. Seeing their post lit a spark in me, and I was inspired to transform my passion into a greater good. Starting the chapter was challenging, though. I was able to recruit volunteers, but scheduling events proved difficult. Calls and emails to senior centers went unanswered. It took weeks before we secured our first performance venue. I jumped with joy when we confirmed our first location. Additionally, coordinating our schedules was very tricky, so I had to experiment with several communication platforms to keep track of everyone’s availability. Eventually, we settled on GroupMe with interactive polls. What started as only six members blossomed into a team of twenty. In our first year, our chapter has performed six successful concerts. Our holiday performance was by far my favorite. We played seasonal carols and holiday songs while the residents sang along. I'll never forget the sweetness of one older woman’s voice, the sparkle in her eyes, and her toothy smile when she said we had made her holiday. In that moment, I felt like it was my turn to pass the joy of music on to others, just like Greg did for me. Looking ahead, I plan to continue using music to connect with others and create positive change. My goal is to keep expanding the reach of Harmony for Hearts and to inspire others and my students to pursue their passions and use their music to improve the world through captivating, heartwarming and thrilling performances bringing audiences and communities together.