I spent time in Florida with my college counselor before traveling to a small community in Nicaragua, where I taught children the fundamentals of music theory while simultaneously practicing my Spanish. I helped children understand basic rhythms, turning music into something accessible to all. Watching their eyes light up as they clapped along or created their first melody reminded me why I fell in love with music in the first place.

I believe that every coming-of-age story deserves its soundtrack, and my Sweet Sixteen Concert was exactly that: a night to come together and celebrate music and life. I performed a mix of my original songs and covers of some of my favorites, including Arctic Monkeys, Chappell Roan, Nirvana, and more. My originals, indie rock, new and unreleased at that time, were shells of what they were to grow to be later. And the covers? They were my personal reinterpretations and