About Jessica

My family has always been somewhat musical but I was mostly influenced by my brother. My brother is 17 and started out playing the trombone when he was in 6th grade. After sticking with the trombone for a few months he started bringing home all sorts of instruments. I remember when he brought home the clarinet and tried to teach me how to play it, but I wanted nothing to do with it. Now, I actually play the clarinet! My brother now plays a tuba in the All State Band and plays the sousaphone in the Pasadena City College Rose Parade Honor Band. He is currently the drum major at his high school and plans to become a music professor.

Having only played the clarinet for two years, I haven't had many memorable accomplishments with it. The only thing that is really memorable is when I played the 4th solo in the quartet for Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy at a band concert at school.

I love to dance and recently I had a solo in the school talent show and I was awarded something that basically means Most Valuable Dancer. I'm currently training to be on pointe shoes.

In the future, I plan to be a journalist for local charities and fundraising programs to alert people of the world to the great needs around us but in a fun and positive way. For instance, I'll research which neighborhoods are best for finding charities to buy or donate certain items.

I'm on the T.V. news club at my school and I've been the anchor for one episode and I've also done a lot of filming and editing that was featured in many of the episodes

Favorite Songs to Play

My favorite piece to play is Jupiter by Gustav Holst because it's light but powerful. When I play it, I feel like I'm in a dream.

My favorite composers are Danny Elfman and Hans Zimmer because their music is inspiring. It makes me want to go write my own piece.

Hobbies

My hobbies are dancing, reading, and writing. I always have my nose in a good book and when it comes to dancing... well there's no stopping me.

Age: 12
Grade: 7th
Instrument: Clarinet

Question of the Month

Why do you feel studying a musical instrument is a good thing?

From personal experience, I know that studying an instrument helps you academically as well as socially. My grades drastically improved since I started playing the clarinet. My favorite part of being a musician is the people. My group of friends are supportive and just good people. They're also respectful to me and others. The funny thing is, they all play instruments. People generally think that being in band is "geeky" but I've met some great people who have honestly changed my life in a positive way.