Singing in Swahili was weird at first, but now it is as natural to me as cringing at one of my dad’s bad puns. With ten years’ experience in VOENA, an internationally recognized youth choir, I can sing in over thirty languages from around the world. Growing up in VOENA taught me, not only how to sing and perform, but how to appreciate foreign cultures and different language. This appreciation has shaped who I am as a person and what I dream of and strive for.
My parents signed me up to join VOENA when I was seven years old. Less than thrilled, I had not realized I would rehearse once a week during the time I normally spent designing Lego utopias at daycare. At rehearsal, however, it was a different story. I learned how to harmonize and perform with my whole body, growing more confident and comfortable with myself in the process. I learned songs in Swahili, Galic, Japanese, Farsi, and Swedish to name a few, creating in me an interest in language. Because of this, I aspire to become bilingual, or even multilingual. I am currently taking AP Spanish, and I hope to learn German or …show more content…
After vocal warm-ups, the director, hardly able to contain a grin, announced that VOENA had been chosen to represent the United States at the London 2012 Olympic Games by performing opening day in Olympic Park. This trip kick-started my longing to travel. I loved exploring London with my friends, seeing the sights, and meeting new people. Since London, I have traveled to perform in Dublin, Ireland and Italy’s Amalfi Coast. Traveling with VOENA has made me want to experience other languages and cultures first hand. I want to join the Peace Corps after college so that I can be fully immersed in another culture and learn about its ways and its people while helping them thrive. Growing up in VOENA has shaped my aspirations of becoming multilingual and my dreams of travel, helping to make me who I am
My parents signed me up to join VOENA when I was seven years old. Less than thrilled, I had not realized I would rehearse once a week during the time I normally spent designing Lego utopias at daycare. At rehearsal, however, it was a different story. I learned how to harmonize and perform with my whole body, growing more confident and comfortable with myself in the process. I learned songs in Swahili, Galic, Japanese, Farsi, and Swedish to name a few, creating in me an interest in language. Because of this, I aspire to become bilingual, or even multilingual. I am currently taking AP Spanish, and I hope to learn German or …show more content…
After vocal warm-ups, the director, hardly able to contain a grin, announced that VOENA had been chosen to represent the United States at the London 2012 Olympic Games by performing opening day in Olympic Park. This trip kick-started my longing to travel. I loved exploring London with my friends, seeing the sights, and meeting new people. Since London, I have traveled to perform in Dublin, Ireland and Italy’s Amalfi Coast. Traveling with VOENA has made me want to experience other languages and cultures first hand. I want to join the Peace Corps after college so that I can be fully immersed in another culture and learn about its ways and its people while helping them thrive. Growing up in VOENA has shaped my aspirations of becoming multilingual and my dreams of travel, helping to make me who I am