When I was 14, I had the privilege of attending an arts summer camp. The camp was designed so that kids could have "classes" throughout the day, with a morning class and 2 afternoon classes. I decided to sign up for songwriting as one of my afternoon classes, just to see if I would like it. That was really my first exposure to writing songs in a serious way. We would show up everyday for 2 weeks, take 5 minutes to write down our thoughts and then we would get to write songs. I would basically shut myself away in a practice room and exist with just myself and the piano. I would play random chords until I found something I liked and tried to build on it. One time, I got so focused into my playing and writing that I didn't realize the class had ended and my friends had to find me 25 minutes later! During my time at camp, I was also starting to form a crush on one of my bunkmates, and I was starting to think she felt the same. So, naturally, I found the topic of my song very easily: a summer romance. As camp was coming to an end, there was a final concert so everyone could showcase their work, and I, for the first time ever, had to play an original song for an audience. I was so nervous that my foot could properly press on the piano pedal. Looking back on this story, I can't help but marvel at how far I have come in 4 short years. Now, half of every show I play is original music, and I can consistently play without nerves. However, I don't think my intense focus on finding the perfect chord or the exact right lyric to convey my message will ever change.

So, this year, I will be graduating from high school as a part of the class of 2026. It is so weird because I am simultaneously so excited for what the future has to offer, and just as terrified for what is to come. This fall, I will be attending the Berklee College of Music in Boston MA. The school is perfect for what I want to be doing in my career. Writing music is my passion, and I cannot wait to pursue that to the full extent in Boston with people who are as equally dedicated to their craft. However, I am also feeling a lot of fear, which honestly, I think is normal of any student going to college next year. I am scared of the workload, and the possibility of burnout, as well as being so far away from my friends and family, my support system. I guess what I am trying to say, is that I am waiting in anxious anticipation for the next phase of my life to start. So how does this relate to songwriting you wonder? A majority of my lyrics come from my personal experiences and the way that I choose to frame them. With the promise of new beginnings in college, I haven't decided if I want to write an upbeat, pop-princess banger about the positives, or a gut-wrenching ballad about my anxiety... maybe both? I think sometimes, the best thing to do is to let time pass and reflect on those raw emotions, and then put pen to paper.