About 4 years ago, I tried out for the hit show "The Voice" for the first time, and about a year ago I tried out for a second time.

My first time trying out, I was 16 years old, and a lot less confident than I am now. I was excited to try out and sing my heart out, but my passion for singing wasn't nearly as strong as it is today. I remember waking up that morning for the open call, nervous as hell, thinking "What if they don't like me?" but I got up and proceeded to walk through the herds of people to get closer to my dreams.

When it came time for my first audition, I stood in front of a producer and waited for my turn to sing in the group I walked in with. I remember singing and hearing the producer call my name to move forward to callbacks.

My callback audition was a week later, and I got to sing three songs for the panel of producers. Thankfully, they loved the performance and gave me the opportunity to move forward.

At 16, this was the opportunity of a lifetime for me, and I was so excited to start a new journey that involved music, but when I was told I wasn't moving on to the LA blind auditions, I felt like my life turned upside down.

I remember being so upset and discouraged that I didn't want to do music anymore, but then that fire in my belly came back again. My mom and stepdad started pushing me more and more to really pursue my talent for music, and I became more confident with my voice.

It took me a while, but soon enough I got back to be a hundred percent and I wanted to make it THAT much more.

The second time I tried out for the Voice, I had a whole new mindset, and I told myself that whatever the outcome may be, I would let it be a lesson rather than a hindrance. Turns out, I made it back to callbacks but didn't move on past that. The feedback I received throughout my Voice auditions is advice I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

If it weren't for those producers telling me how much potential I had as an artist, I probably wouldn't be nearly as ambitious as I am now. Although I didn't make it that day, I felt like a different person walking out of that studio. Not only did I walk out with more of a drive to chase my dreams, but I also walked out with the reassurance that one day, If I continued to put in the work, I will be the star my parents always told me I'd be.