Personal Statement Project (Self)
1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
My ears have never been great, but my love for sound and music hasn't changed a bit these 16 years of my life so far. My name in Japanese is 玲音(Leon), which translates to the “hum” that occurs after you ring a bell. You could say that I was born with music in me. I was raised in Japan, but since my dad was never around, I learnt fluent english from my mum. My mother was a huge inspiration for me, as she raised me by herself, and motivated me to learn music and whatever I wanted to do. I moved to Australia when I was 6, and started learning from a teacher who I wish I could thank for everything. My teacher taught me all styles of Violin, ranging from Classical to Jazz to Pop. He was the one who helped me learn techniques that are essential to playing the Violin that I still use to this day.
But not everything was peaches and cream when I was taking lessons from my Australian violin teacher. The Violin is such a technical instrument that if you are not taught the right techniques in the right way, your sound isn't nice. I started disliking the violin, as I got discouraged from the fact that although I was improving, I didn't feel like I could be a pro. I remember going to my mum asking if I could stop playing the violin and learn the flute, but she was also the one that pushed me to continue with the violin, and if it weren't for her, I wouldn't be able to say that I have played at the Sydney Opera House, Kitara, and at The Sydney Harbour.
When I returned to Japan at the age of 12, I still played the violin, but wanted to play something else. The violin was great but I wanted to play something that would give me that creative and “pro” vibes that I wanted from the violin. Luckily there was a Jazz Band at my school and joined in my second year in Secondary school, learning the saxophone. This is when I had the epiphany that music is what I wanted to do. It was what I wanted to pursue, and wanted to learn. The only that was in my way was how I was actually going to achieve my dream of working in the music industry. Being in a country where I cannot speak the native language, my first thoughts were, "I'm never going to get where I want to be here...", but still persevered on. After some research, I applied to the HBC Junior Orchestra with the violin, but failed to get in once, and honestly got discouraged slightly, but on the second attempt, to my surprise, I was accepted. Things only went up from there. My self confidence went up, my Japanese skills increased and I was actually happy with my sound from the violin. I still am part of the HBC Junior Orchestra, and am really thankful for that second chance that they gave me.
Right now, I have an Internship with a recording studio where I assist musicians and producers record audio for games, movies, and music, also have an internship at a live house, and am taking both saxophone and violin lessons. Although I have much more to learn, I really do believe that I live, eat, and sleep music.
My ears have never been great, but my love for sound and music hasn't changed a bit these 16 years of my life so far. My name in Japanese is 玲音(Leon), which translates to the “hum” that occurs after you ring a bell. You could say that I was born with music in me. I was raised in Japan, but since my dad was never around, I learnt fluent english from my mum. My mother was a huge inspiration for me, as she raised me by herself, and motivated me to learn music and whatever I wanted to do. I moved to Australia when I was 6, and started learning from a teacher who I wish I could thank for everything. My teacher taught me all styles of Violin, ranging from Classical to Jazz to Pop. He was the one who helped me learn techniques that are essential to playing the Violin that I still use to this day.
But not everything was peaches and cream when I was taking lessons from my Australian violin teacher. The Violin is such a technical instrument that if you are not taught the right techniques in the right way, your sound isn't nice. I started disliking the violin, as I got discouraged from the fact that although I was improving, I didn't feel like I could be a pro. I remember going to my mum asking if I could stop playing the violin and learn the flute, but she was also the one that pushed me to continue with the violin, and if it weren't for her, I wouldn't be able to say that I have played at the Sydney Opera House, Kitara, and at The Sydney Harbour.
When I returned to Japan at the age of 12, I still played the violin, but wanted to play something else. The violin was great but I wanted to play something that would give me that creative and “pro” vibes that I wanted from the violin. Luckily there was a Jazz Band at my school and joined in my second year in Secondary school, learning the saxophone. This is when I had the epiphany that music is what I wanted to do. It was what I wanted to pursue, and wanted to learn. The only that was in my way was how I was actually going to achieve my dream of working in the music industry. Being in a country where I cannot speak the native language, my first thoughts were, "I'm never going to get where I want to be here...", but still persevered on. After some research, I applied to the HBC Junior Orchestra with the violin, but failed to get in once, and honestly got discouraged slightly, but on the second attempt, to my surprise, I was accepted. Things only went up from there. My self confidence went up, my Japanese skills increased and I was actually happy with my sound from the violin. I still am part of the HBC Junior Orchestra, and am really thankful for that second chance that they gave me.
Right now, I have an Internship with a recording studio where I assist musicians and producers record audio for games, movies, and music, also have an internship at a live house, and am taking both saxophone and violin lessons. Although I have much more to learn, I really do believe that I live, eat, and sleep music.