To my band directors, choir directors, orchestra directors, private instructors and every person who has helped me on my journey,

I can never thank you enough.

Thank you for those countless times that I would walk into your office after a bad day and unload all of my troubles on you. In high school, I had a part time job, five AP classes, an internship and marching band, in addition to all of the performing ensembles. After having a stressful day, my band director, choir director and orchestra directors officers were always open to let me unload my troubles.

Thank you for your patience. I know that it was not easy at all. I am not an easy person, especially when I am frustrated with music. I appreciate every single time you took deep breaths when I messed up the same line of music that we worked on the week before.

Thank you for those countless times I walked into your office needing help with a certain part of a solo or a piece of band music. Getting the hour of practice in on a daily basis was sometimes frustrating. If I only had a half hour, I didn't have time to waste fiddling with a certain measure. If I couldn't get it in the first two minutes, a knock on their office door was my next option.

Thank you for inspiring me on a daily basis. I spent my school years being inspired by my music directors. Their love of music would transfer to me and remind me why I spent so much time in the music suite. I am forever grateful for the different lessons that I learned from each one of them.

I am so thankful for all of the time that you put into me, making me a better musician. Those countless times that you would help me perfect my solos, every piece of music that I played, you helped me perfect, countless times. I can never thank you enough.

Thank you for teaching me that with music comes happiness, joy, laughter, love and everything in between. Not only did I spend an incredible amount of time playing music, I spent that time surrounded by wonderful people and loving every moment.

I appreciate all of the times that you calmed my nerves before performances. I was the one kid who, no matter how many times I would perform by myself in front of people, you would always tell me that I would be OK. Thank you for not getting angry with me for those times that I missed notes, screwed up solos or played out of tune.

Thank you for letting my high school career be about music. Music changed my life. If I didn't have music, I don't know what I would have done during all four years of high school.