Since I was a toddler crushing the piano keys to today as a student in high school band, music has always been a hobby of mine. But it wasn't until last year that I realized that it was more than just a hobby and that I needed to start treating it with almost the same level of respect that I treat academics. The turning point was a Fourth of July event at a nearby park. I had been invited by the conductor of Tuxedo Junction, a local jazz group, to play alongside them at this event. I was stunned to say the least and immediately started getting ready. I put a lot of effort into making sure I was ready to play in a professional setting. When the day came, it was one of the best experiences I've ever had and from that moment on, I knew I wanted to dedicate part of my life to music. I also realized that it would take a tremendous amount of work and dedication to make this dream a reality. This event pushed me to work even harder to develop my musical abilities. I practice diligently every day, not only to become a better musician, but also because I simply love playing music. My efforts have also not gone unnoticed as, most recently, I was invited by a jazz trio to play at a local station. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”? Get the original essay Jazz is also not the only music I like to play, I also like to play in the marching band and l wind ensemble from my high school. Marching band is a great way to show school spirit through music. A marching ensemble builds camaraderie like no other group I've experienced. It pushes you to try hard for the good of the group, while having a lot of fun. It is an experience that develops both social connections and musical abilities. The wind ensemble takes a more serious approach. The rigidity and perfection of music are reflected in the pragmatic approach to mastering the art. It pushes you to learn and practice, not only to perform up to par, but to go above and beyond to satisfy your own love of performance and music. For me, a jazz band is the happy medium between being laid back and being performance-oriented. , but all three have increased my motivation to succeed not only in music but in everything I do. The added drive to achieve my goals also helped me in my academic journey. I took more AP classes and extracurricular activities, and with the motivation inspired by my Fourth of July experience, I was able to get closer and closer to achieving my dreams..