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Taleya Jordan

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Bio

Hi! My name is Taleya Jordan. I am currently in university Music Therapy. I have been singing for about 8 years and have been playing piano for about 5. My hobbies include biking, thrifting, and speaking Spanish. One day I hope to teach an entire music class/lesson in Spanish! 😁  My goal is to one day own my own private practice where I can provide music therapy and educational services. Receiving scholarships will allow me to achieve my educational and career goals without financial stress.

Education

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Bachelor's degree program
2024 - 2026
  • Majors:
    • Music

Dutchtown High School

High School
2016 - 2020

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Master's degree program

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Music
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Music Therapy

    • Dream career goals:

    • Section Leader

      St. Andrews United Methodist
      2024 – Present10 months
    • Communications Assistant

      LSU
      2024 – Present10 months

    Arts

    • American Choral Directors Association

      Music
      2023 – Present
    • Northshore Choral Society

      Music
      2020 – Present
    • Swamplight Theatre

      Theatre
      2021 – Present

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      Southeastern Wesley Foundation β€” Volunteer
      2021 – 2024

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering

    Entrepreneurship

    Bright Lights Scholarship
    At 6 years old, I fell in love. It was an electrifying feeling. I was unsure what it was at first, But I knew it brought me healing, It turns the ugly into the beautiful. It’s there for me when nobody is. When I am alone and in the cold, That’s when my love comes in. At 6 years old I fell in love, But my love was not with a person. I heard the chorus of the first song I learned, And before I knew it I was singing the verses. I found my voice and discovered music. It gives me such joy and delight. From that day forward, I stopped at nothing To do music for the rest of my life. Though my family inspired my love for music at a young age, things were not always happy within the household. I grew up with abusive parents from infancy. My parents were always in charge of my life decisions. Tensions in the house escalated whenever they observed me growing up and establishing my own views and interests. While enduring parental abuse, I was involved in my high school’s choir. In the midst of all the chaos, I’ve experienced so much unity and love while singing in the choir and I wouldn’t have met half of my friends without it. Because of the choir, I am now more well-rounded, cultured, and open-minded. I have been fortunate enough to sing in many different languages including French, German, Spanish, Italian, and so many more. This planted a seed in me, and I knew that my calling was to help others experience the power of music. I am currently in university for Music Education and plan on going to graduate school for Music Therapy. Music therapy is a therapeutic practice that helps individuals function in everyday life. For example, a therapist could use songwriting and lyric analysis to help a client with depression, anxiety, or PTSD. Another example is when someone with a disability plays drums or piano with their music therapist to help with mobility. Though I’m in school for education I think about incorporating music therapy strategies in the classroom. In the Summer of 2022, I started a business where I teach private music lessons. One of the services that I provide is adaptive music lessons. Adaptive music lessons are music lessons tailored to children with special needs. Offering Music Therapy services to my business is the ultimate goal. My mission is to integrate performing arts and wellness for individuals with exceptionalities, develop educational outreach programs, and provide affordable music education and therapy services. I want to solve the problem of a lack of representation of people of color in health care, especially in music therapy. According to the American Association of Music Therapists, 1.8% of Music Therapists are black. With the support of the Bright Lights Scholarship, I will be able to finish my studies, get the necessary certifications, and gain relevant experience working in an area where women of color are underrepresented.
    WCEJ Thornton Foundation Music & Art Scholarship
    I am currently in university for Music Education and plan on going to graduate school for Music Therapy. Music therapy is a therapeutic practice that helps individuals function in everyday life. For example, a therapist could use songwriting and lyric analysis to help a client with depression, anxiety, or PTSD. Another example is when someone with a disability plays drums or piano with their music therapist to help with mobility. Though I’m in school for education I think about incorporating music therapy strategies in the classroom. In the Summer of 2022, I started a business where I teach private music lessons. One of the services that I provide is Adaptive Music Lessons. Adaptive Music Lessons are music lessons tailored to children with special needs. Offering Music Therapy services to my business is the ultimate goal. My mission is to integrate performing arts and wellness for individuals with exceptionalities, develop educational outreach programs, and provide affordable music education and therapy services. I want to solve the problem of a lack of representation of people of color in health care, especially in music therapy. According to the American Association of Music Therapists, 1.8% of Music Therapists are black. With the support of the Notes For Education Scholarship, I will be able to finish my studies, get the necessary certifications, and gain relevant experience working in an area where women of color are underrepresented. While I love teaching music, I am also passionate about composing music. I imagine an effective intersection of activism and music in my choral works, where real issues are brought to the forefront. Through catchy melodies, emotive harmonies, and reflective lyrics, I hope to portray the essence of activism through art. I want to tell stories from the viewpoint of the younger generation, highlight their voices and challenges, and showcase them as the voices of our future. I use spoken word in my compositions to capture the passions of our youth, allowing their real-life sentiments to blend with the music. I intend to create music that not only connects with the performers but also motivates them to act as advocates for change.
    Christina Taylese Singh Memorial Scholarship
    You’re meeting someone new; maybe a colleague or friend introduces the two of you. After three minutes of introductions, you begin opening up to them about your past traumas and tragedies. Sounds uncomfortable. But that is how things go whenever a new client walks into therapy for their first session. The client has no idea who the therapist is and is seeing them for the first time. Yet, they are expected to tell them everything within the first session. It can be very challenging, which is why traditional therapy is scary for many people. However, there are many amazing types of therapy that are beneficial such as Group Therapy, Neurofeedback, and Creative Arts Therapies. I am currently in university for Music Education and plan on going to graduate school for Music Therapy. I want to become a Music Therapist because I believe that a variety of health services should be an option for everyone. Music Therapy is a therapeutic practice that helps individuals to function in everyday life. For example, a therapist could use songwriting and lyric analysis to help a client with depression, anxiety, or PTSD. Another example is when someone with a disability plays drums or piano with their Music Therapist, in order to help with mobility. Though I’m in school for education I would like to incorporate Music Therapy strategies in the classroom In the Summer of 2022, I started my business called β€œCantante Music Lessons”. Cantante Music Lessons is a teaching business that helps both newcomers and seasoned performers improve their abilities, via tailored lesson plans and close connections. One of the services that I provide is Adaptive Music Lessons. Adaptive Music Lessons are music lessons tailored to children with special needs. Teaching music to exceptional students has opened my eyes to their experiences and how they see the world. I am now able to adapt to certain situations and the needs of those around me while still having reasonable expectations. Offering Music Therapy services at Cantante is my ultimate goal after I receive my Music Therapy degree. I will then rename the business, β€œCantante Music Lessons and Therapy”. My goal is to solve the problem of a lack of representation of people of color in health care. According to the American Association of Music Therapists, 1.8% of Music Therapists are black. Many members of the black community are afraid to go to healthcare providers for fear of being mistreated. More representation, I believe, will allow the black community to put more trust in healthcare providers. There aren't many people of color who want to work in healthcare. This begs the issue of why individuals of color are afraid to enter the healthcare industry. The majority of black youth are unaware of the affordable alternatives to medical school. I feel that activism is critical and that teaching black adolescents at an early age may play a significant role in change. By simply being present in predominantly white spaces, such as healthcare, I am already creating an impact. My mission is to make Music Education and Therapy accessible and affordable to those in need. With the support of the Christina Taylese Singh Memorial Scholarship, I will be able to continue my education in order to fulfill my goals while promoting wellness and diversity in the healthcare industry.
    Elevate Mental Health Awareness Scholarship
    From Pancake to Waffle: My Mental Health Journey and Mission to Music Therapy I opened my eyes to the blinding fluorescent lights of the ER’s ceiling. I was awakened by the nurse entering my hospital room and said, β€œMrs. Jordan? The ambiance is here for you” β€œWhere am I going?” I asked, my voice hoarse and eyes half open. She then replied with the name of the hospital. "I've never been to a psych ward before," I thought to myself as the paramedics entered my room to place me on the wheeled stretcher. β€œIs everything as it seems in the movies?" I arrived at 2 o'clock in the morning where they took my phone, put me in scrubs, and brought me to my room quietly while my roommate was asleep. While sleeping, I heard a knock on the door. β€œThe social worker needs to see you,” the nurse said. I slid out of bed slowly and strolled along the bright, narrow hallway. I entered the social worker's office and sat down. β€œReasoning for being here?” he asked. β€œSuicide attempt,” I admitted hesitantly. β€œDo you still want to kill yourself?” he asked. β€œYes,” I replied. "Promise me that you won't," he urged as he quickly ticked off several boxes on his form. β€œAlright,” I replied nonchalantly. I could only use the hospital phone to contact people for the next seven days, and I was only allowed to have books and diaries. When I wasn't on the phone, I spent most of my time in my room journaling and meditating. I realized that I didn’t prioritize my mental health until it was almost too late. For so long, I had been a pancake, when I needed to be a waffle. When you pour syrup on a pancake, the syrup covers the entire pancake. But when you pour syrup on a waffle, you can contain it in one of the squares so the rest of the waffle is not affected by the syrup. When I had a problem, I was a pancake and would let my problem consume me. After being released from the hospital, I was committed to being a waffle and devoting more time and money to my health and well-being. I am glad to state that I am receiving treatment for my mental illnesses, as well as receiving the necessary support from university staff and instructors. Now I am motivated to use my talents to assist others experiencing similar difficulties. I study music education at university and intend to pursue a graduate degree in music therapy. Music therapy is a therapeutic practice that helps individuals function in everyday life. For example, a therapist could use songwriting and lyric analysis to help a client with depression, anxiety, or PTSD. Though I study education I want to incorporate music therapy strategies in the classroom. In the summer of 2022, I started a β€œCantante Music Lessons” business where I teach private music lessons. After receiving my undergraduate degree, I will get a graduate degree in Music Therapy. Offering Music Therapy services to β€œCantante” is the ultimate goal. I will then rename the business, β€œCantante Music Lessons and Therapy”. My mission is to integrate performing arts and wellness for individuals with exceptionalities, develop educational outreach programs, and provide affordable music education and therapy services. With the help of the Elevate Mental Health Awareness Scholarship, I will be able to get the necessary certifications to contribute to the increase of access to mental health services.
    Walking In Authority International Ministry Scholarship
    I fell in love at the age of 6 years old. I fell in love with music, and I believe it is a God-given gift that can bring people together. Music is like a blanket you reach for when you need warmth and comfort. It can soothe our souls and calm our anxiety during difficult times. God uses music as a way to break barriers between language, social class, and cultural background. A world without music is without harmony, peace, and empathy. During college, I have been heavily involved in choir, including the Northshore Choral Society. Northshore Choral Society contributes to creating advocacy for music education within the community. I recently became the Social Media Manager for the choir, which is a volunteer position. I aid in social media marketing by scheduling social media posts and live streams, promoting concerts, and communicating with our followers. In the midst of all the racism, discrimination, and hatred I encountered, I experienced so much unity and love while singing in the choir and wouldn’t have met half of my friends without it. I am now more well-rounded, cultured, and open-minded because of the choir. I have also been fortunate enough to sing in many different languages including French, German, Spanish, Russian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Swahili, and so many more. Becoming a social media manager was my way of giving back to the community which helped me so much when I didn’t feel accepted. I feel inspired to get involved in my community because my community pours so much into me. I am currently in university for Music Education and plan on going to graduate school for Music Therapy. Music therapy is a therapeutic practice that helps individuals function in everyday life. For example, a therapist could use songwriting and lyric analysis to help a client with depression, anxiety, or PTSD. Another example is when someone with a disability plays drums or piano with their music therapist to help with mobility. Though I’m in school for education I think about incorporating music therapy strategies in the classroom. In the Summer of 2022, I started a business where I teach private music lessons. One of the services that I provide is Adaptive Music Lessons. Adaptive Music Lessons are music lessons tailored to children with special needs. Offering Music Therapy services to my business is the ultimate goal. My mission is to integrate performing arts and wellness for individuals with exceptionalities, develop educational outreach programs, and provide affordable music education and therapy services. A critical issue affecting our community is the lack of representation of people of color in health care, especially in music therapy. According to the American Association of Music Therapists, 1.8% of Music Therapists are black. Many members of the black community are afraid to go to healthcare providers for fear of being mistreated. More representation, I believe, will allow the black community to put more trust in healthcare providers. I believe that by simply being present in predominantly white spaces, such as healthcare, people of color, such as myself, are already creating an impact.
    Jeannine Schroeder Women in Public Service Memorial Scholarship
    A smile has an effect on other people. Your smile may occasionally be sincere. But other times, you may be in pain and feel compelled to put on a phony smile to reassure people that everything is fine. Your smile, genuine or not, may brighten someone's day. This is like public service. We don't always feel like going to work. Yet we are aware that doing so affects those that we help. Putting your emotions aside and serving others is the essence of public service. I am currently in university for Music Education and plan on going to graduate school for Music Therapy. Music therapy is a therapeutic practice that helps individuals function in everyday life. For example, a therapist could use songwriting and lyric analysis to help a client with depression, anxiety, or PTSD. Another example is when someone with a disability plays drums or piano with their music therapist to help with mobility. Though I’m in school for education, I want to incorporate music therapy strategies in the classroom. In the Summer of 2022, I started a business where I teach private music lessons. One of the services that I provide is Adaptive Music Lessons. Adaptive Music Lessons are music lessons tailored to children with special needs. For example, one of my kids is on the autism spectrum and non-verbal, so the singing lessons serve as a form of speech therapy for her. She is now able to sing along with me while I accompany her on the guitar. I also have a student who is illiterate, so trying to read and remember lyrics is difficult. To help with this, I incorporate movement and gestures into songs to help with lyric memorization. Now, she is able to sing an entire song without missing a word or going completely blank. Teaching music to exceptional students has opened my eyes to their experiences and how they see the world. I am now able to adapt to certain situations and the needs of those around me while still having reasonable expectations. Offering music therapy services and starting an integrability chorus is my ultimate goal for my business. My mission is to integrate performing arts and wellness for individuals with exceptionalities, develop educational outreach programs, and provide affordable music education and therapy services. I am passionate about advocating for the lack of representation of people of color in health care, especially in music therapy. According to the American Association of Music Therapists, 1.8% of Music Therapists are black. Many members of the black community are afraid to go to healthcare providers for fear of being mistreated. More representation will allow the black community to put more trust in healthcare providers. There aren't many people of color who want to work in healthcare. This begs the issue of why people of color are afraid to enter the healthcare industry. The majority of black youth are unaware of the affordable alternatives to medical school. I feel that activism is critical, and teaching black adolescents at an early age may play a significant role in change. By simply being present in predominantly white spaces, such as healthcare, people of color are making a large impact.
    PAC: Diversity Matters Scholarship
    β€œI am a token”. That’s what I thought for a long time. One of my hobbies is performing. In the musical theatre world, black people are often seen as β€œtokens”. For example, there are black characters in shows who exist just to provide comedic relief: "Sassy Black Friend," "Angry Black Women," etc. Casting directors frequently use my blackness to show "Performative Inclusivity," as I call it. A local casting director was putting on a non-auditioned production of Big River. She approached me about a role that required me to do a major solo. At first, I was sold. But I started chatting to a friend of mine who knows this director. He told me that she had previously participated in "Performative Inclusivity" when it came to casting. I then approached more of my theatre friends and colleagues about her, and it became evident that the only reason she wanted me in the performance was because I’m Black. That summer, I was cast as a supporting actor in a small community theatre performance. I was ecstatic, but I had to tell the director of Big River that I would not be participating in her production. When I told her, she looked at me, then looked down, then shook her head. β€œReally? A supporting role? You’re settling!” She said. β€œWell, I’m happy with the role I got,” I said nonchalantly. β€œI’m very disappointed. I’m in dire need of African-Americans!” I was hurt. For some, my blackness has served as a trophy. Something you pull off the shelf and show off to all of your friends, just to put it back. Not anymore. After that encounter, I learned that my blackness is not something to flaunt whenever it is convenient. It must be treated with dignity. My goal is to solve the problem of a lack of representation of people of color in health care. Though I desire to work in the healthcare field, I don’t want to be a Physician Assistant. I want to be a Music Therapist. Music therapy is a therapeutic practice that helps individuals function in everyday life. For example, a therapist could use songwriting and lyric analysis to help a client with depression, anxiety, or PTSD. Another example is when someone with a disability plays drums or piano with their music therapist to help with mobility. According to the American Association of Music Therapists, 1.8% of Music Therapists are black. Many members of the black community are afraid to go to healthcare providers for fear of being mistreated. More representation, I believe, will allow the black community to put more trust in healthcare providers. There aren't many people of color who want to work in healthcare. This begs the issue of why individuals of color are afraid to enter the healthcare industry. The majority of black youth are unaware of the affordable alternatives to medical school. I feel that activism is critical, and that teaching black adolescents at an early age may play a significant role in change. By simply being present in predominantly white spaces, such as healthcare, I am already creating an impact.
    Linda "Noni" Anderson Memorial Music & Arts Scholarship
    My First Love At 6 years old, I fell in love. It was an electrifying feeling. I was unsure what it was at first, But I knew it brought me healing, It turns the ugly into the beautiful. It’s there for me when nobody is. When I am alone and in the cold, That’s when my love comes in. At 6 years old I fell in love, But my love was not with a person. I heard the chorus of the first song I learned, And before I knew it I was singing the verses. I found my voice and discovered music. It gives me such joy and delight. From that day forward, I stopped at nothing To do music for the rest of my life. I come from a very musical family. Though my family inspired my love for music at a young age, things were not always happy within the household. I grew up with abusive parents from infancy. My parents were always in charge of my life decisions. Tensions in the house escalated whenever they observed me growing up and establishing my own views and interests. While enduring my parent's abuse, I was involved in my high school’s choir. In the midst of all the chaos, I have experienced so much unity and love while singing in the choir and I wouldn’t have met half of my friends without it. Because of the choir, I am now more well-rounded, cultured, and open-minded. I have also been fortunate enough to sing in many different languages including French, German, Spanish, Russian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Swahili, and so many more. I am currently in university for Music Education. Though I enjoy performing, teaching music definitely brings me a lot of satisfaction and joy. The genre of musical theatre, in my eyes, displays the most diversity. It has the capability to tell stories of different time periods, life experiences, and emotions. Though I study classically in university, this year, I decided to participate in the musical theatre division of the NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) competition. β€œNaughty Baby” from the musical Crazy for You was one of my competition pieces. I chose β€œNaughty Baby” because I was so used to singing musical theatre ballads and I wanted to try something different and a bit more challenging. Participating in NATS with this piece also helped me with my technique in my classical repertoire. I plan on going to graduate school for Music Therapy. Though I’m in school for education I thought about how to incorporate music therapy strategies in the classroom. In the Summer of 2022, I started a business where I teach private music lessons. One of the services that I provide is Adaptive Music Lessons. Adaptive Music Lessons are music lessons tailored to children with special needs. Offering Music Therapy services in my business is the ultimate goal. My mission is to integrate performing arts and wellness for individuals with exceptionalities, develop educational outreach programs, and provide affordable music education and therapy services. Another one of my goals is to solve the problem of a lack of representation of people of color in health care, especially in music therapy. According to the American Association of Music Therapists, 1.8% of Music Therapists are black. With the support of the Linda "Noni" Anderson Memorial Music & Arts Scholarship, I will be able to finish my studies, get the necessary certifications, and gain relevant experience working in an area where women of color are underrepresented.
    She Rose in Health Scholarship
    You’re meeting someone new; maybe a colleague or friend introduces the two of you. After three minutes of introductions, you begin opening up to them about your past traumas and tragedies. Sounds uncomfortable. But that is how things go whenever a new client walks into therapy for their first session. The client has no idea who the therapist is and is seeing them for the first time. Yet, they are expected to tell them everything within the first session. It can be very challenging, which is why traditional therapy is scary for many people. However, there are many amazing types of therapy that are beneficial such as Group Therapy, Neurofeedback, and Creative Arts Therapies. I am currently in university for Music Education and plan on going to graduate school for Music Therapy. I want to become a Music Therapist because I believe that a variety of health services should be an option for everyone. Music Therapy is a therapeutic practice that helps individuals to function in everyday life. For example, a therapist could use songwriting and lyric analysis to help a client with depression, anxiety, or PTSD. Another example is when someone with a disability plays drums or piano with their Music Therapist, in order to help with mobility. Since I’m in school for education, it made me think, about how can we incorporate Music Therapy strategies in the classroom or even a none therapeutic setting. In the Summer of 2022, I started my business called β€œCantante Music Lessons”. Cantante Music Lessons is a teaching business that helps both newcomers and seasoned performers improve their abilities, via tailored lesson plans and close connections.β€œCantante” is both Spanish and Italian for β€œsinger/vocalist”. A dear friend of mine designed the hummingbird logo. One of the services that I provide is Adaptive Music Lessons. Adaptive Music Lessons are music lessons tailored to children with special needs. I have students who struggle in traditional classroom settings because of certain hindrances. For example, one of my kids is non-verbal and on the autism spectrum and the singing lessons serve as a form of speech therapy for her. She can now sing along with me while I accompany her on the guitar. I also have a student who is illiterate and trying to read and remember lyrics is difficult. To help with this, I incorporate movement and gestures into songs to help with lyric memorization. Teaching music to exceptional students has opened my eyes to their experiences and how they see the world. I am now able to adapt to certain situations and the needs of those around me while still having reasonable expectations. Offering Music Therapy services at Cantante is my ultimate goal after I receive my Music Therapy degree. I will then rename the business, β€œCantante Music Lessons and Therapy”. My mission is to make Music Education and Therapy accessible and affordable to those in need. With the support of the She Rose in Health Scholarship, I will be able to continue my education in order to fulfill my goals while promoting wellness and diversity in the healthcare industry.
    Growing with Gabby Scholarship
    β€œYou are an abomination.” β€œI love you, just not your lifestyle.” β€œLove the sinner, hate the sin.” β€œYou are just confused.” I was raised in a traditional Christian home and have heard these sayings my whole life. My mother leads worship, and my father is a pastor. When I began attending school, I realized I was a lesbian. My friends were all gushing over these guys and saying that they were the only people they wanted. I specifically remember saying, "I can't relate." I hid my identity because I knew that my parents and my church would disapprove. Once I got to high school, I found myself being overly accepting of my gay friends, as a way to make up for the lack of acceptance I felt from home. I called myself a β€œstraight, Christian ally” even though that label didn’t align with what I was feeling. It was my senior year of high school when the world shut down due to Covid-19. This meant no school, no work, and, most importantly, no church. Since everything was online, I and my family would live-streamed church every Sunday morning. A couple of months into the lockdown, I found myself live-streaming churches outside of the area: churches in California, New York, Florida, and even Africa. I stumbled upon a church live stream on Facebook, where the pastor was a transgender woman. I thought, β€œWait. Is that even allowed?” I was captivated by her sermon about how God loves and accepts all people and does not intend to change anybody. This planted a seed in me and I began to live stream other churches with LGBTQ+ clergy members. In the midst of it all, I felt closer to God while alone in my bedroom live streaming from my phone, than I felt in a packed praise and worship arena. After some soul-searching and therapy, I finally came out to my parents. They, of course, were not happy and proceeded to call me some awful names in an effort to gaslight me back in the closet. It was at that moment that my view of "love" changed and I realized what β€œunconditional love” was. My parents’ love came with conditions. They love me, as long as I am straight, conservative, and a virgin. It is so hard for me to admit that even though I love my parents… they do not love me. It has now been a year and my life has been majorly affected. I am now in low contact with my parents, I have been alienated from my old church members, and have lost friends. However, I have also started a bible study for gay Christians, found a partner who loves me, and currently attend an LGBTQ+ affirming church. What I have learned this past year is that sometimes you have to find your family outside of your bloodline. Everybody deserves to have people who support them for who they are, and it doesn’t matter where those people come from. As long as they love you no matter what.
    Taylor J. Paul Arts and Media Scholarship
    At 6 years old, I fell in love. It was an electrifying feeling. I was unsure what it was at first, But I knew it brought me healing, It turns the ugly into the beautiful. It’s there for me when nobody is. When I am alone and in the cold, That’s when my love comes in. At 6 years old I fell in love, But my love was not with a person. I heard the chorus of the first song I learned, And before I knew it I was singing the verses. I found my voice and discovered music. It gives me such joy and delight. From that day forward, I stopped at nothing To do music for the rest of my life. I come from a very musical family. In my family, there is my Mom, Dad, and Sister. My father plays drums, bass, and keyboard, my mother sings, and my little sister was the first chair in the middle school band when she played the clarinet. As for me, I sing and play the guitar. Though my family inspired my love for music at a young age, things were not always happy within the household. I had verbally, physically, sexually, and spiritually abusive parents from infancy. My parents were always in charge of my life decisions. Tensions in the house escalated whenever they observed me growing up and establishing my own views and interests. After some soul-searching and therapy, I finally came out as a lesbian to my parents. They, of course, were not happy and proceeded to call me some awful names in an effort to gaslight me back in the closet. While enduring my parent's abuse, I was involved in my high school’s choir. Amid all the discrimination, hatred, and homophobia, I have experienced so much unity and love while singing in the choir and I wouldn’t have met half of my friends without it. Because of the choir, I am now more well-rounded, cultured, and open-minded. I have also been fortunate enough to sing in many different languages including French, German, Spanish, Russian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Swahili, and so many more. Music is a way to break barriers, and my life wouldn’t be complete without it. I am currently in university for Music Education and plan on going to graduate school for Music Therapy. Being a Music Therapist is my absolute dream job and I can’t wait to pursue it in graduate school. With the help of my professors, advisers, and on-campus business coaches, I’ve learned to incorporate music therapy strategies in the classroom as I pursue my undergraduate degree in education. In the Summer of 2022, I started a business where I teach private music lessons. I am a music teacher who helps newcomers and seasoned performers improve their abilities, via tailored lesson plans and close connections. By organizing performance opportunities for my students, I aid in confidence development and vocal technique enhancement. One of the services that I provide is Adaptive Music Lessons. Adaptive Music Lessons are music lessons tailored to children with special needs. I am very privileged to have the opportunity to advance my career while studying at university. Though I fell in love at the age of 6, music is a part of everyone’s life. I hope to share my love with those who are living, while also using the joy of music to remember those who are no longer with us.
    Your Dream Music Scholarship
    "You Will be Found" is a powerful and inspiring song from the musical Dear Evan Hansen. The song speaks to the struggles of feeling alone and disconnected and touches on the theme of hope and acceptance. The song begins with the line "Have you ever felt like nobody was there? Have you ever felt forgotten in the middle of nowhere?" which immediately addresses the feelings of isolation and loneliness. This theme is continued in the next verse with the lines "Have you ever felt like you could disappear? Like you could fall, and no one would hear?” which speaks to the common experience of feeling lost and unsure of one's place in the world. In the chorus, the lyrics say, β€œEven when the dark comes crashing through / When you need a friend to carry you / When you're broken on the ground / You will be found" These lyrics offer the important message that no matter how lost or alone one may feel, there is always hope and the possibility of being found and supported by others. Overall, "You Will Be Found" is a wonderfully written and emotionally relevant song that speaks to the universal experience of feeling alone and alienated while also providing a message of hope and acceptance. The lyrics are moving and thought-provoking and the song will strike a chord with anybody who has ever felt lost or alone.