Studio Note #2 - Community Through Sound

Hey everyone, Zahrah here. Welcome back to the second issue of Studio Notes! Today I'm going to speak on my journey in the arts, specifically music, that inspired me to create LaGuardia’s Equitable Arts Program alongside Inis Chen.

Even though I started playing instruments at the age of three, my relationship with music started from the day I was born, when I was greeted with a mixtape as I came into the world. I grew up falling asleep to the sound of my dad’s spinning records most nights and always just listening to music wherever I was. Music played a big role in my life for this reason and I only got more and more interested in it, as I grew up; whether it was playing it or listening to it. 

My love for music landed me in Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School, as an electric bass player. There, I successfully auditioned for the Jazz Ensemble and Gospel Band, which taught me skills like playing by ear and the importance of collaboration through the ability of playing with so many other talented musicians. These groups gave me the opportunity to perform and taught me to get over my nervousness of being on a big stage.

Through performance and even listening to music, I learned how a community could grow from music. Have you ever been to a concert, and been that person who bonds with a stranger sitting next to you for the love of the artist you’re going to see? That’s the type of community I mean. Through listening to music with someone else or being the person creating the music; you are able to be a part of a community or form it yourself. This is what I love about music and art, which sparked me to create LaGuardia’s Equitable Arts Program. 

In creating LEAP, I hoped to share this community and creativity with other students across New York City. I’ve learned how important art can be as an outlet of expression and I felt the need to spread this to others. I hope you enjoyed learning a little more about me and I can’t wait to continue to write about the many intricacies of the art world. 

Until the next note,

Zahrah