Mermaid Madness

I ended up not being able to perform due to a knee injury I sustained when at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. I went to one of the shows and ultimately became jealous and hurt that they wouldn’t let me perform because I was in a wheelchair. To say the least, I am so thankful to be out of that school because that was one of many incidents where I felt wronged. 

At the end of the year 2020, I was in eighth grade. I was fresh into PA Cyber and decided to broaden my horizons by signing up for classes at a local music school, Maestro Minds. Little did I know just how much this tiny little school would have impacted me throughout my entire high school experience. Something so exhilarating and so far-fetched came from this theater, and my gratitude is beyond words.

Starting at the music school, I was a shy and reserved student and extremely nervous to sing in front of just about anyone. My first show at Maestro Minds was, “A Christmas Carol.” I was placed in the ensemble because I joined late, but what I love about this school is that the directors give each student a set of lines, singing parts, and choreography to learn. Every student has a chance to shine at this music school, and I quickly fell in love with it. 

After receiving various roles and performing in an endless amount of shows, I asked the owner of the music school if I could help out with the younger students and their musical shows. Of course, I was happily invited and I was introduced as, “Miss Jill” for the summer musical, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”

The directors even put me in charge of making choreography for the shows while our dance teacher, Miss Alayna was absent due to college classes, and I had a blast while doing it. Even just coloring with the kids or listening to their funny stories truly makes my day. I also teach piano and voice lessons at the music school, so I have the opportunity to meet wonderful students and connect with them through my love for the art of music.

One relationship I am so utterly grateful for is with the two directors of the musical theater program at Maestro Minds. Mia and Jen have really become my second set of parents throughout the years. From being in such an aching place from my parents' divorce, I used our classes and time together to mend my heart back to shape. Whenever I’m upset, I know I have a safe place to turn to with my theater parents. I can’t exactly describe how much the musical school and the people I’ve met through the school means to me, but I do know that it is something that I plan to keep in my life long term. Being a teacher for music is everything I’ve ever dreamt of, so I am so thankful that I have the opportunity to do that.

Over the past weekend, our students performed, “The Little Mermaid” and absolutely rocked it. I stayed up each night making candy bags for each student and carefully signing their name on an oceanic piece of woodwork. It took a long time, and moving set all day for both shows was definitely hard work. However, seeing how happy they were conquered every bit of tiredness that was built up inside.