I have been shaped by music. Without it, I wouldn’t have the confidence or the time management skills that I now have. It has given me the ability to think creatively and has challenged me mentally, in memorizing pieces that I’ve chosen to thinking of what to sing next. I realize that not many people have the opportunities I have, and I know that this gift that I was given is one in a million. Music has forever been a part of me and I will continue to pursue it throughout my life.

My talent has brought me incredible opportunities. In December 2015, I had the honor of performing in Conference All-State as a member of Women’s Chorus. This November, I performed in the All-National Honors Ensemble in Mixed Chorus. It consisted of about 750 students and my choir will have 350 students. It was an extraordinary honor that I am very proud of. I have also attended multiple All-Counties and Area-All States. These experiences have shown me that I can achieve anything that I set my mind to. The amount of time and hard work I’ve put into all of these festivals has all been worth it.

Through music, I’ve learned that I have to work hard. I don’t want to be “the best of the best,” I want to be the best that I can be. Patience is another quality that I’ve learned. I’m not going to learn a song by singing through it once. I have to practice it time and time again to learn the correct rhythm, diction, and meaning of the song. The most meaningful lesson that I’ve learned is that I wouldn’t be who I am without my talent. I wouldn’t know how to speak in foreign languages and play the piano; which may seem unimportant to some, but incredibly crucial to me. My future would be unclear without my talent and I wouldn’t know what to do with my life. Without my voice, I wouldn’t have the confidence and determination to achieve my goals. My voice is who I am and who I always will be.

I want to make a difference in someone’s life. I want to help children find themselves and guide them through the use of music. Music brings out different aspects in children such as confidence, power, and the ability to find something that they are passionate about. My talent has assured that I want to major in Music Education to change students’ lives, just like music has done for me.

Next year, Hannah plans to attend Houghton College with a major in Music Education.