High School: Garfield High School
Post-Graduation Plans: University of California Irvine
Course of Study: Psychology and Social Ecology
As a young chorister, the older girls were who I looked up to as inspiration. Whether I was sitting
in awe listening to them sing at a spring concert, or taking a peek into their practice room to see
what PV rehearsal was like, their expert techniques made me want to be just like them when it
was my turn to join Prime Voci. Now that I have been through all the stages of SGC and am
graduating, I truly feel the love and hard work put into everything that we put out into the world.
The people I stand on stage with are not just other choristers, but family, that I get to laugh, cry,
and create with. That unique sisterhood is unparalleled, with connection forged in shared
experiences and unwavering support and understanding. It almost feels like an unknown
superpower we have, the ability to be completely in tune with each other to create something
beautiful and unexpected.
It’s hard to choose a specific favorite moment of my experience in SGC, because all of the little
things have been what has made choir so meaningful. Like the pride after finishing a concert
strongly, or finally getting a section of a song right after drilling it for a long time, or even
standing on a table getting my dress hemmed. It has all been part of the amazing impact choir
has had on me that has shaped me to be the person I am today. I remember walking reluctantly
into my first day of piccolini, unconvinced of the potential fun and friendships I would soon gain
from it.
As I climbed the different levels of SGC, choir had graduated from a fun hobby into a serious
practice. But as its difficulty intensified, so did my love for singing. When I finally got to Prime
Voci, it was clear that music would always be a part of me. This showed itself through
meticulous practice of each and every note. This attention to detail helped us build trust with
each other so we could perform as one resolute supervoice.
One lyric stood out as a true anthem of my experience in choir – full of raw emotion, despair,
and power. “To suffer and be strong”. It is a reminder of resilience that I learned through years of
hard work and growth as a person and musician. The strength I found in music provided a
creative outlet and a community to lean on during hard times. Having a space where you can
leave your baggage at the door and create art with your community is such a gratifying
experience, and it has taught me how to take criticism, adapt quickly and work collaboratively
with my peers – strengths that have helped me both in choir and in life.
Now, I think in music. My mind thinks in octaves, in solfege, and I am eternally attentive to what
the world sounds like around me. When I step on a stage, I feel full. SGC has enriched my life,
and I know that singing will be a part of my life forever. It has helped me find my voice, a
community, and a sense of belonging in the harmony of our voices, and I am excited to explore
how choir will incorporate itself into my future.