Passion
At rehearsal before my performance at Carnegie Hall
I love music in all of its forms. The Bb clarinet is my primary instrument, and I have most recently performed on it as a section leader of the Virginia Tech Wind Ensemble and New River Valley Symphony Orchestra. However, I’ve also studied a variety of other instruments and vocal music. In the past, I’ve had experiences such as playing both classical and jazz on piano and alto saxophone. Currently, I am a member of the Virginia Tech Chamber Singers, and have also had experience in past choral and acapella groups.
In addition to performance, I love to share my love of music and knowledge about it with other people from many different cultures and backgrounds. I have shadowed music teachers in multiple elementary schools in Arlington, VA, and have also taught English through music to students in Macas, Ecuador. Most recently, I went through a semester elementary school field study at Belle Heath Elementary and McHarg Elementary in Radford, VA. I was given the opportunity to teach students from grades 1-2 at McHarg and from grades 4-6 at Belle Heath. Seeing the instant smile on a student’s face when they understand something has inspired me to pursue teaching as a career.
Music isn’t my only passion. I also love the Spanish language and its associated cultures. After teaching English through music in Macas, Ecuador for part of two summers and struggling with the language barrier, I was inspired to become fluent and study Spanish as much as possible at Virginia Tech. I have recently added a second degree in Spanish and studied Spanish abroad this past summer in Madrid, Spain. I have also studied Spanish in a three-week program near Tamarindo, Costa Rica.
I am hoping to combine my passions for music and Spanish in order to help others experience the power of communicating through these mediums. As of now, my next goal is to teach music in a Spanish immersion elementary school.
In addition to performance, I love to share my love of music and knowledge about it with other people from many different cultures and backgrounds. I have shadowed music teachers in multiple elementary schools in Arlington, VA, and have also taught English through music to students in Macas, Ecuador. Most recently, I went through a semester elementary school field study at Belle Heath Elementary and McHarg Elementary in Radford, VA. I was given the opportunity to teach students from grades 1-2 at McHarg and from grades 4-6 at Belle Heath. Seeing the instant smile on a student’s face when they understand something has inspired me to pursue teaching as a career.
Music isn’t my only passion. I also love the Spanish language and its associated cultures. After teaching English through music in Macas, Ecuador for part of two summers and struggling with the language barrier, I was inspired to become fluent and study Spanish as much as possible at Virginia Tech. I have recently added a second degree in Spanish and studied Spanish abroad this past summer in Madrid, Spain. I have also studied Spanish in a three-week program near Tamarindo, Costa Rica.
I am hoping to combine my passions for music and Spanish in order to help others experience the power of communicating through these mediums. As of now, my next goal is to teach music in a Spanish immersion elementary school.
Service
In addition to representing the school as a member of Virginia Tech’s Women’s Ultimate Frisbee Team, I am currently a member of Phi Kappa Phi, an honor society, and serve as the Social Chair of Nu Kappa Epsilon, a music service sorority (was Panhellenic chair from Fall 2017-Spring 2018). Through these organizations, I am able to not only find my place as a student on campus, but also affect others positively. Especially through my leadership role in NKE, I am in a position where I can encourage others to be the best they can be, and I am able to serve the community alongside them.
Precision
One of my mottos is that success is in the details. This motto was proved true when I performed Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, for example.
Fourteen notes in seven seconds shouldn't be difficult. However, when these notes are the famous opening of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, they become one of the most difficult passages to play in all of music. Each note must be distinct, yet blend together in the unforgettable wail. I practiced for more than three months to get it right before my performance with the U.S. Army's premier jazz group and an award winning pianist. I was successful. It's not worth doing if it isn't done right.
Fourteen notes in seven seconds shouldn't be difficult. However, when these notes are the famous opening of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, they become one of the most difficult passages to play in all of music. Each note must be distinct, yet blend together in the unforgettable wail. I practiced for more than three months to get it right before my performance with the U.S. Army's premier jazz group and an award winning pianist. I was successful. It's not worth doing if it isn't done right.
Perseverance
I stay on the job until it is done as it should be; no matter what it takes.
When I graduate from Virginia Tech, I will do so with many more than the minimum hours required for graduation. My path will lead to two Bachelors degrees; one in Music Education, and another in Spanish. I will also have a minor in Psychology and graduate with an honors diploma. My plan then is to obtain a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction and a K-12 Virginia Teaching Certificate. My goal is to work in a Spanish immersion elementary school. My passions are music and Spanish, and I am determined to go above and beyond to learn as much as possible about these subjects and pursue a career that combines both.
When I graduate from Virginia Tech, I will do so with many more than the minimum hours required for graduation. My path will lead to two Bachelors degrees; one in Music Education, and another in Spanish. I will also have a minor in Psychology and graduate with an honors diploma. My plan then is to obtain a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction and a K-12 Virginia Teaching Certificate. My goal is to work in a Spanish immersion elementary school. My passions are music and Spanish, and I am determined to go above and beyond to learn as much as possible about these subjects and pursue a career that combines both.