My decision to pursue the field of music never started with a hunger for money or fame. As a euphonium player, I never aspired to be a professional musician due to the scarce amount of job opportunities. Also, playing the instrument was never my passion.

I value the sound of an ensemble. I value the theory behind how music is written and performed. Rather than live for the individual reward for performing well, I cherish the moments of camaraderie in performing well as a group. As a future music educator, I feel I can share that emotion with many. Learning to share precious moments of success with others can mean more than individual success in my eyes. Therefore, I wish to work my way to influence more and more people to reach that moment in the future.

I’m not entirely sure I have many work habits.

Through the many years that I’ve been a musician and student, I’ve never figured out a routine that works for me every time I want to be productive in something. I like to look at it from a different viewpoint.

I tackle every new situation in a unique way depending on what is asked of me. Sure, you could have a routine for writing essays or even practicing your horn. But to me, that leads to a mundane lifestyle of carrying yourself through each day. Every essay asks you to analyze something different; you’re left to evaluate different subjects (which requires putting yourself in unique situations each time) and consider many thing. When practicing your instrument, there are many different techniques/musical selections that need to be worked up. If I keep myself doing the same routine (and having the same habits), I won’t fulfill my potential of creating innovative music.

Therefore, I try to surround myself differently each and every day. I’d like to think that it keeps me grounded and ready to live each day to the fullest.

Contrary to most of my fellow peers, my musical journey to this point does not include a prestigious resume, nor a family with an extensive history of musicians. No one in my immediate family can even read music. Classical music was never played in my household.

How did I get here then? As I look back on my life thus far and its relation to music, I realize much of being a musician and studying the art on the collegiate level originated from my yearning to finding an identity. All my life, I’ve been an observer. I preferred to quiet down and listen as opposed to expressing myself verbally. Music allows anyone to convey any message imaginable with a careful, brilliant approach.

As an young artist, I aspire to master the art of speaking without talking, and to be understood without even saying a word.

In school, my easiest and favorite subjects existed in the math and science fields. My brain functions on the basic and mechanical aspects of how the world functions. Rather than marveling at the existence of things, I desire to know how and why something works. This explains my love for music theory. Learning the patterns that live amongst the history of music astounds me. Studying music theory compares to mastering a foreign language. Analyzing Bach, Mozart, Brahms, etc., equates to experiencing their thought processes as they composed. When I fully study music theory to a depth like no other, I will carry the necessary tools to completely understand musical history and join the modern movement by adding my own voice for the future to listen to.

My love and passion for music theory and leaving an impression on the world gives reason for my choices at SMU. I want to major in Music Theory to extensively study the art, and also major in Music Education. With both of those on my utility belt, I will have the ability to 1) understand the fundamentals of music, 2) compose/arrange my own music for audiences to hear my voice in music, and 3) pass on the glory that music gives people to the next generation.