As I enter my second year of college, it is also my tenth year in choir. I began my choir journey in fourth grade and it became a love of mine. The music that is made in a large ensemble can be very powerful, and can move people in ways they have never been moved. That is what is so great about art in general. I have had experiences on stage that have stayed with me forever.

I remember going into middle school and high school and hating it. I could not stand anything about those seven years of schooling, but I did love one class and that was choir. Throughout those years there was bullying and drama, Those were trying times in many cases, but all of my friends and great experiences were through the doors of the choir room. I ended up forming long lasting friendships with not only my peers but my choir directors as well.

I remember each one of my directors and the impact they made on me individually. My elementary directors found my voice, my middle school director never gave up on me, and my high school director pushed me because he knew my ability. Now I am in college and my director has strengthened my love and knowledge of choral singing.

Choir helped me broaden my horizons when it came to not only the repertoire we sang, but even with people. My mind expanded and my love for choral music did too. I remember the first time a piece made me cry. The beautiful thing about moments like that is, you will never be able to relive that, but there will be another moment that will come along and it will be even more spectacular.

I began my college career as a music education major at Georgia State University, because of my love for choir. I thought that was what I wanted to do, and it ended up not being my path because of the realization that I want to perform my music and advocate for music education. I see myself in the choir, but not in front of the choir which is okay. I am just now entering my second year in the University Singers and I am no longer a music major. That has not stopped me from loving choir. I am a huge advocate for music education because of the impact it has had on me, and I will always fight for it because of how important it truly is.

My love for choir actually helped me realize that I was not on the correct path, and the family I had created within my choir were huge supporters of me. Now I am back and it is like nothing changed at all.

So, now the tenth year begins and it all feels right. I was sitting in the callback room with fifty other hopefuls and seeing familiar faces was a peaceful feeling. I sat in my same spot that I did last year, sang Alto 2, and got to listen to my peers nail the audition piece. I truly look up to my friends in that class and my director. The amount of support that we all give each other is outstanding, and the family we have created has helped me really find my home here at Georgia State.

Dr. Joseph is a very outstanding choir director and person. She has achieved so much and is so humble. I am so lucky to be able to sing in her choir, and I can not wait to celebrate year ten under her direction of University Singers. Thank you to all of my directors and music teachers, you planted a seed in me and I have loved watching it grow.