I've always been a big believer in the importance of maintaining hobbies and interests outside of my sport. Having multiple passions has kept me grounded and allows me to have more balance in my life. While I'm a student-athlete playing volleyball at Virginia Tech, music has always been a huge part of my life.
I grew up in a musical family. My parents are professional musicians. They met working with the Nashville Symphony and have done concerts with Stevie Wonder and recorded for artists like Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift.
Needless to say, I grew up with music all around me — and I'd be lying if I said it didn't influence me to become the musician I am today. I've been doing music since a very young age, but when I started playing around in a makeshift studio in my house during COVID, I had no idea where it would take me. But from that moment on, music has become a big part of my life and a big complement to — and sometimes also escape from — school, athletics, and life in general.
A New Hobby
When I was 12, I picked up a volleyball for the first time, and I fell in love with the game. At the time, my parents were a little surprised at my newfound obsession with volleyball. After all, I come from a long line of musicians. I grew up listening to my parents play and talk about music all the time. I learned to play the piano and cello, and music became an even bigger part of my life.
But when volleyball entered the picture, I knew it was something I had to pursue. I joined a club team and started dedicating more and more time to the game. My love for the sport only grew as I got older, and I eventually committed to Virginia Tech before my junior year of high school — after COVID hit. All of a sudden, volleyball was put on hold, and I found myself with a lot of free time on my hands.
That's when I came back to music. I have a small studio set up in my house, and I decided to start creating my own music. I'd always had a love for singing and songwriting, and I thought it would be fun to play around with creating my own songs. Little did I know that I was about to embark on a new journey that would forever change my life.
Finding My Sound
During COVID, I spent countless hours in my studio, working on different songs and experimenting with different sounds. I was amazed at how lost I could get in the music. I'd play around with different melodies and beats, and before I knew it, the entire day would be gone. It was a creative outlet for me — a way to escape from the craziness of the world and just get lost in something I loved.
I started to get more serious about my music and released my songs on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. I didn't promote them a lot, but I still thought it would be fun to share my music with the world. And to my amazement, people actually started to listen to them.
I got some great feedback, and it was so rewarding to have my music out there for the world to hear. Some of my early stuff could be classified as chill pop or indie, but I've also experimented with other genres like electronic dance music. I've never been one to stick to one genre of music. I listen to everything, and I like to think that my music reflects that. My inspiration comes from all over the place, and I love playing around with different sounds and styles.
To-date, I've released seven songs, and I've got plenty more in the works. As I've continued to build my discography, I've also been looking for ways to improve my craft. There's always something to learn, and I've been working on my production skills to become more well-rounded in my knowledge of mixing and finalizing songs. I know I still have a lot of room for growth, but I'm excited about the progress I've made and the opportunities that lie ahead.
Balancing Act
As much as I love music, volleyball is my number one priority right now. I'm a student-athlete in the ACC, and my commitment to the game is unwavering. I'm grateful to have a coaching staff that supports my love for music, but they also understand the importance of keeping it separate.
There have been times when my coach has suggested that I sing the national anthem at a game, but I've always declined. I don't want my music to interfere with my focus on the game, and I think it's important to keep the two separate. Being a student-athlete is a big responsibility, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to represent Virginia Tech on the court. But I'm also grateful for the opportunity to express myself through my music.
I know that there will come a time when my volleyball career comes to an end, but I don't see that happening anytime soon. I'm still just a sophomore, and I have plenty of goals I want to accomplish in my collegiate career. But I also know that there will come a time when I must make a decision about what comes next.
Whether it's during my collegiate career or after I graduate, I'll continue to pursue my passion for music in one way or another. Candidly, I have a feeling that music will always be a part of my life. I simply can't imagine a world without it. As I continue to navigate the balancing act of being a student-athlete and a musician, I'm just grateful for the opportunity to do what I love. I'm excited to see where this journey takes me.
