Some people simply enjoy turning on the radio with their best friends having the time of

their life and on the other hand, others listen to music while finishing up a last minute assignment

that is due at 11:59 P.M. However, to me, music means numerous things depending if I am at

home relaxing, in the band room with my friends trying to get that one difficult part in a piece

perfect so our band director does not scream at us next class, or performing in a concert for the

community. Music has been what characterizes me for who I am today and what I have used as a

device to spark a brighter place in the community to call home because of my upbringing in it

and the community events I performed in.

The major big bang event that sparked my interest was in the fifth grade. I was relaxing

in my classroom reading one of the ​Hunger Games b​ ooks and suddenly, a young lady walks into

my classroom and announces ¨Hello everyone! I am the strings teacher of White Oaks

Elementary school and I would love for you all to join the orchestra.¨ My first thought was ¨why

in the world would I want to do that nerdy stuff, that is so weird and useless.¨ Then, she came

back five minutes later to show us some instruments and I was in extreme awe. This wooden,

handcrafted instrument had four strings, an extremely low range, and was six feet tall. I

immediately fell in love. It was the double bass. As soon as the young lady left the classroom I

signed up instantly. Ever since I first plucked or stroked the double bass with a bow, I have never

been able to abandon it for another interest.

For the past seven years of playing my instrument, I have been involved in multiple

community events and have helped many individuals in pursuing music. Around November of

2018, I was invited by the Bay Youth Orchestras of Virginia to perform with them. This inspired
me to improve my skills in playing double bass and to also love music even more. Not only that,

but participating in the Bay Youth Orchestras of Virginia has given me more opportunities to

learn more about music, meet new people, make friends, and grow connections with teachers. I

have also been introduced to various community opportunities to help create the community

united as a whole and make it a safer place to live in. These community opportunities have

overall, shaped me into what I want to do in the near future and that is to become a music

educator so that I can help kids pursue music even after elementary,middle,or even high school.

One of the numerous events I have gone to is called CommUNITY. CommUNITY was a

spectacular event that mixed diverse cultures together and brought everyone together as a whole.

The event allowed kids of all ages to join in and perform for everyone. I thought this was one of

the best things about the event because I was able to help kids that were like me when I was

younger grow a love for music and know that anyone can create art in music.

From being a tiny little kid trying to play a six foot instrument, to performing with people

of the community and helping others in need. Music has allowed me to truly express who I am as

a human. Some people may not want to pursue music as a whole , but they can always have it as

a hobby or interest so whenever they feel down or in need to express themselves, they can. As

Plato the great Greek philosopher once said, ¨This gives a soul to the universe, wings to the

mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.¨