I am grateful to experience the joy of playing piano.

 

Music is life. Music is expression. Music is therapy.

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I grew up with a sister who is severely mentally ill. My parents couldn’t handle this, leading to the decline of my mother's mental well-being - she got admitted at the hospital. Shortly after, my father left, and I ended up in foster care. During this time, I played the piano at school every day. It was the only activity that held me together, it was the only thing that I could trust, and it was the healthiest way for me to express my painful emotions.

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Music is safe. Music is kind. Music is love.

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Life at home was hard, and life at school wasn't much better. I had friends that offered kind support, but many of my other peers bullied me and I felt I couldn’t be myself. Still, I was able to find time playing the piano every day. This precious time allowed me to cry, to breathe, and most importantly to process what was going on.

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Music is adventure. Music is balance. Music is a career.

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After some negotiation with social workers, judges, and lawyers, I was able to move to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina with my grandparents. At this point I was a senior in high school, figuring out what to do for college. I decided to pursue music. After looking at schools online and reading audition requirements, I realized I was far behind where I needed to be. However, Coastal Carolina University was around the corner from my grandparent's house, and I thought, "why not audition here?" I showed up to that audition, played Debussy's Clair de lune with heavy hands, and found a teacher that saw potential.

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Music is guidance. Music is patience. Music is understanding.

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My piano teacher gave me the tools to grow at the piano, and out of gratitude for accepting me, I used them as much as I could. Every day I woke up at 4 AM, made coffee and went straight to the practice room. During the day I had classes, but after class I would head right back to the practice room and would play into the evening. I worked hard and continue to do so.

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Music is study. Music is practice. Music is determination.

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Throughout my diligent study of music, I participated in many performance opportunities like house concerts, background music for art exhibits, and professional performances for my colleagues. This kept me busy, which taught me how to balance music in my life. I needed to make time for friends and family; I needed to make time for myself to breathe and be grateful for the life that I had (and still have).

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Music is my life. Music is my gift. Music is everything to me.

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I live each day with music in my mind. It helps me communicate kindly with others, to share laughs and smiles, and to stay strong when I encounter a bump in the road. I want my students to follow this example - I don’t only want them to be learning piano, I want them to learn life - that life can be extraordinarily turbulent but can also be the most wonderful experience. I want them to develop and grow with a creative spirit, and I want to nurture that in any way that I can. I want them to be who they are!

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Music is…