Music
Music has taken me places I never thought I'd go.
At six years old, I started drum lessons. In 8th grade, I took a chance and auditioned for Highland Park High School's Wind Symphony: their elite, audition-based ensemble.
I was one of four middle schoolers in the entire district to get a seat.
Since then, music has grown into an outlet, an achievement, and an exercise that shows me the payoff of hours and hours spent honing a craft.
Playing drums at 2 years old.
Playing drums at 17 years old, exactly 15 years later.
Highland Park HS Wind Symphony
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Jazz Ensemble
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HS Jazz Combo
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Pit Orchestra
Highland Park HS Wind Symphony · Jazz Ensemble · HS Jazz Combo · Pit Orchestra
Highland Park HS Jazz Combo performing It Don’t Mean a Thing (If it ain’t got swing) in front of the school to celebrate America’s 250th birthday.
One of my favorite playing experiences was with Kirby Fellis, an accomplished and celebrated trombonist. As a guest artist at my school, he taught a masterclass to our jazz ensembles. As the drummer, I had the great pleasure of accompanying Mr. Fellis during a city-wide concert.
May 2026. This is my solo while performing Twelve’s It at the annual Midwest Young Artist Jazz Combo Concert.
Seven-time grammy-winning percussionist Paul Wertico instructing me in a workshop for the bi-annual FOCUS on the ARTS event.
Starting in the 9th grade, I also joined the Jazz Ensemble, and in 10th, I joined my school’s Jazz Combo. I have continued playing in the Wind Symphony, Jazz Ensemble, and Jazz Combo throughout high school, learning from upperclassmen, annual workshops, and esteemed Jazz musicians.
December 2025. Mr. Fellis and I are performing Sky Dive.
I have been honored to learn from award-winning percussionists and professional ensembles, including Paul Wertico and the Chicago Philharmonic. I also got to play with Summer League, a band that opened for Charlie Puth.
Spring 2026. Here I’m playing timpani during my season’s final concert with the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra’s Concert Band at DePaul University’s Mary Patricia Gannon Concert Hall.
Marching Band
Defying Gravity from the film Wicked.
