When I was talking to my mom just recently, I was telling her how my roommate tells me to shut up when I sing. "I can't help it", I said, "it's natural. Sometimes I don't even realize that I'm singing". My mom went on to tell me that when she was a little girl, her mother used to sing around the house all the time. She would sing to wake my mom and my aunt up, as well as to put them to bed. She would sing in the kitchen while she was cooking or while she was in the living room cleaning. I also just found out that

my nonni used to take operatic voice lessons when she was young. So genetically my singing genes come from my nonni because I know that my mother isn't really much of a singer. The talent skipped a generation and was granted upon my sister Catherine and I.

Drama and singing has always been a part of my life. The first act I ever did was a talent show in forth grade. My best friend Valerie and I sang an Italian lullaby called "Stella Stalina". Then the next year we sang "Take Me Out to the Ballgame". When I got to middle school I sang Sound of Silence with a guitar accompaniment. In high school I sang "Santa Baby", "Blowin in the Wind", and "That Don't Impress Me Much". My senior year when I sang "That Don't Impress Me Much" by Shania Twain, it was very convenient that I lost my voice the day I had to perform. But, coming from years of theatre, I know that the show must go on. I got up on stage in front of my family and practically the whole school and I sang as best as I could, and everyone still loved me. I let my self go that night. As I strutted up and down the stage, I forgot any stage fright that I might have had and sang with attitude, style, and power. Hearing the crowd go wild for me, I was engulfed in a trance of clapping hands and cheering voices. The feeling of being on the stage and hearing the audiences' excitement and cheering, is one of the most rewarding and passionate experiences I have ever felt. When I became involved in musical theatre in high school, I entered a whole new world of singing and acting. In eighth grade I performed in a small production of Grease as Sandy, but that was nowhere near what I experienced in high school.

Something very important I have learned, is that singing isn't always a cappella. The instruments that accompany the singing make the lyrics sound beautiful. I am not only experienced with singing, but have also been part of band since the third grade. I played the flute from third grade all the way until I was a senior in high school. Being a part of an orchestra is one of the best things I have ever participated in, in my life. One of my favorite things to do was to watch my high school conductor, Mr. Kimura, conduct the band. His motion and facial expression, as he controlled us, became more and more intense with each measure. He has such a passion for the music and what he does that it inspired me to continue with band and to truly appreciate the music. Listening to Mozart or Bach, is something that I enjoy. Fall quarter I took a music appreciation class with Dr. Russell, who is one of the

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