Ever since I was young I have had a strong interest in music, and all different kinds of it. Singing, playing instruments, composition- it all caught my attention more than anything else. When I was really little I remember walking into my uncle's house and every time without fail he would be blasting the Beatles on his record player. Me being a very curious little kid would rummage through his records asking him to put on different records so that I could listen. I was heavily influenced by music when I was little. I was constantly surrounded by it and surrounded myself with it by discovering new genres of music, joining the choir and found my passion for singing, and attempting to play instruments (totally failing at doing so, but hey at least I tried.)

For me, and a lot of people, we connect through music. Whenever I'm introduced to someone new, I'm always curious what kinds of music they listen to in their spare time, because it can say a lot about a person. It reveals different sides of a person that you don't pick up on by just talking to them. Lyrics and melodies can convey so much and capture the emotional state of a person in the best way possible. When I have a similar taste in music with a person, you can't shut me up. I'll be asking them about concerts they've been to, if they have heard a band's new album, and all sorts of questions that I'm genuinely curious and interested about.

How we interpret music opens up a lot of windows into how we think, and also our personality. It gives a sense of new perspectives and can uplift our souls. A person's favorite songs can be connected to emotional experiences they have went through or really exciting times in their life. The speed and rhythm of a song can make us feel some sort of way. John Mayer makes me want to stay in on a rainy day and drink a warm cup of tea, where a band like ODESZA makes me wanna dance my heart out to the heavy beats.

Music literally brings people together. Next time you're a concert or a music festival, notice how you share the same energy as the crowd around you. The way everyone's bodies move, the way the we share things about ourselves through the sounds we are hearing. Music is a magical way for humans to connect with each other, and it's personally my favorite way to connect with anyone.