I've been playing music for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I spent most of my time on a piano bench. Naturally, I followed this passion to my middle school concert band. Unfortunately, on my first day, I was met with the words: “Your mom must be the one with the funny name”. Despite my best efforts, most days continued with the same tone with meaner remarks. I felt out of place and discouraged. Over time, I began to allow these words to bother me and after nearly three years in concert band, I decided to no longer take the course. I had faced other adversities before, but the constant negativity had worn me down. In a moment of weakness, I caved and lost sight of what mattered: my passion and love for music. I had felt powerless,
