After faced with the decision to switch out my Music Education major into something else, I came to realize my life would be drastically different without music as a prevalent force in my life.

My music career started at a very young age. I was four or five years old when I first started taking piano lessons. It wasn't until 8th grade when my piano instructor told my dad I had a real talent for music, and it was after that when my career took its official step forward.

I distinctly remember the day I suddenly became an oboe player. It was before I had ever touched an oboe, or even knew anything about it. My band director freshman year of high school surveyed the band for new oboists and I immediately raised my hand. I wanted to play oboe since 5th grade but my parents could not afford the switch from clarinet, so this demand for oboe players spoke to me strongly.

During the 19 years of my life, I've picked up skills in many musical backgrounds. I learn more about music theory every day, I come to understand more of myself when it comes to practicing and I hope to do better and better every day - one of the most important skills learned.

Do I want to succeed as an oboe player? Of course. Do I want to improve my keyboard skills? Definitely. Do I want to be my best self and my best musician every day? Yes.

I cannot improve if I quit. There's no future for me if I convince myself I'm not worthy of my passion. Some days are harder than others, but I know my life is significantly better with music in it. There's no doubt about that.