From a young age, I’ve always been fascinated by the art of storytelling and the mediums through which we as humans often communicate with one another. Music, like stories, is something that transcends time and language, and I’ve often found it to be a very powerful tool in creativity and expression. 

There’s a lot of ambiguity and vagueness that exists in the world of music, being as subjective as it can be, and often we don’t always understand why we appreciate or seek it out. As a music student, there’s also a tendency to slip too far into the role of a student, where our desire to achieve ‘correctness’ or a pre-established ideal may override our own musical tastes and inspirations.

There’s not a clear, singular formula of what makes music good or bad, lovely or unpleasant, but in framing my art through a lens of storytelling, I was able to reclaim some musical autonomy and engage with music in a more compelling and authentic way.

Understanding the overarching narrative of a piece, researching the context surrounding its composer and creation, interpreting the character and atmosphere, being aware of how our own idiosyncrasies may influence different perceptions and details—these are all aspects of how I now interact with music, and my hope is that I can continue passing this onto my students, allowing them to foster their own imagination, personality, discipline, and identity through craft.