Transcriber: Willow Bushell Reviewer: Maurício Kakuei Tanaka
Have you ever experienced panicking?
Maybe you have some homework you need to finish soon,
or you have a lot you need to review for your exam.
I bet you have before, and so have I.
You know what helped me calm down?
Music.
I played some music, and that helped me to relax and focus on what I needed to do.
Maybe your mom did this too,
but my mom let me listen to classical music
when I was still in her tummy.
And she did the same thing when my sister was in her tummy before.
I guess that started my love for music.
One time, when I was just a few weeks old,
my mom took me to the doctor, and I was crying on the bed.
The nurse said I needed to calm down so I could be checked.
Since my mom couldn’t hold me, she sang to me instead.
You know what happened next?
I stopped crying.
Music is a part of our life, and it’s always around us.
Have you ever played a video game?
That has music.
Watched a movie before?
That has music too.
Went to a sports event?
Had a party?
Watched a musical?
Those all have music.
Maybe we don’t realize it, but music helps us in so many ways.
It inspires us.
It helps us discover our hidden talents.
It motivates us, it heals us, it strengthens us.
It brings out the best in us.
It opens our minds and our creativity.
It has the power to bring people from all walks of life together.
It helps you in almost every aspect, if not, all aspects of life.
I believe music is truly important in everyone's life.
Learning through music is very effective, and it can help you when you’re studying.
For example, remember we learned our ABCs by singing the alphabet song
when we were toddlers?
When trying to memorize something,
you could take what you’re trying to memorize
and use it as lyrics for a song,
any song.
Say you really need to study for your tests or for your exam,
just make up lyrics to a made-up song or change the lyrics to an existing song,
so that if you remember the song,
you remember what you studied.
Music could also help you be more social,
and it helps you discover your hidden talent,
which could just be your new hobby
or something that leads you to a musical career later in life.
You could join chorus, band or orchestra in school,
or you could enroll in some classes to learn a new instrument.
When you join these groups or classes,
you don’t only learn to play a new instrument,
but you also meet other people with the same interests as you.
So, while learning an instrument or joining an ensemble,
you gain friends too.
When you’re really upset or feeling depressed,
try listening to some uplifting music or your favorite song.
It'll at least lighten up your mood.
Music could also help you feel better when you're nervous or panicked,
and music could also make you feel happy.
I’ve been singing since I was a toddler; I play the piano since I was seven.
In elementary, I joined the chorus,
and I was lucky to be a part of the fifth-grade All-County Chorus
that performed at the Straz Center.
I was also the recorder of the xylophone ensembles.
I’m currently in orchestra, band, and chorus at Randall.
I started playing violin in sixth grade, and now I’m in a chamber orchestra,
which I auditioned for.
In the band, I’m in percussion where I play many instruments,
including snare drum and marimba,
the first of which I just learned how to play.
It’s never too late to learn new music after all.
In the chorus, I also made it into this year’s All-County Chorus.
I even have a YouTube channel where I’ve shared a lot of my singing.
Music is a catalyst that helps you achieve what you want.
Now I’d like to challenge you to make music part of your life,
whether you're using it for studying, singing, dancing, gaming,
playing an instrument,
to pick you up when you feel down.
For learning, dancing, or partying, you can make your own music too.
Indeed, music has no limits.
(Applause)
Thank you.
[Music has no limits!]