ochoa_catherine
Jan 10, 2012
Scholarship / 'My parents encouraged my love of the arts' - Hispanic heritage [5]
TOPIC: Tell us about your academic/career short-term and long-term goals. How has your Hispanic heritage influenced these goals?
I was five years old when I realized that I loved music and wanted to sing for the rest of my life. I vividly recall listening to Mexican cumbia singer Selena on the radio and perfectly hitting every note of her song: "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom," after only hearing it a couple of times. Music provided me with a magical feeling; I could spend endless hours singing, and nothing made me happier. My mother realized I had a gift, and entered me in voice classes to develop my talent. From then on, I was continuously asked to sing at our family parties. In Hispanic culture, there seems to be a fiesta for nearly every occasion and I jumped at the opportunity to perform my latest routine for mi familia. I started to spend hours practicing the latest Selena songs and copying her dance moves, all to perform a magnificent show for my family. Instead of playing with my friends as a little girl, I was at home, rehearsing- this was my idea of fun. I will never forget the rhythmic cumbia dances at our parties, or the delicious aroma of pupusas, quesadillas, and tamales that filled the room. My performances concluded the night, and I can still hear the cheers from my tias and tios as I sang.
My parents are from El Salvador in Central America, and encouraged my love of the arts. They taught me that anything is possible with perseverance and determination. Because of the way they raised me and the loving, vibrant culture I grew up in, I decided to not give up and pursue my dream of becoming a singer. As my backup plan, in a case that I don't become a famous singer, I am studying Business Administration for the Arts and Entertainment at Pace University, to learn the "ins and outs" of the music industry. This way, music will always be a part of my life. With a degree in this field I hope to one day be able to manage myself as an artist and help others accomplish their dreams. I want to be able help aspiring singers discover that with hope, no dream can go unaccomplished. In the long run, I will pursue my dream and work hard to make it happen. At Pace, my short term academic goals include keeping my grades up and studying abroad for a semester, to expand my horizons and see life in other parts of the world. The little girl who sang at her family's parties lives in me as I grow older, and reminds me to never give up and chase my dreams.
TOPIC: Tell us about your academic/career short-term and long-term goals. How has your Hispanic heritage influenced these goals?
I was five years old when I realized that I loved music and wanted to sing for the rest of my life. I vividly recall listening to Mexican cumbia singer Selena on the radio and perfectly hitting every note of her song: "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom," after only hearing it a couple of times. Music provided me with a magical feeling; I could spend endless hours singing, and nothing made me happier. My mother realized I had a gift, and entered me in voice classes to develop my talent. From then on, I was continuously asked to sing at our family parties. In Hispanic culture, there seems to be a fiesta for nearly every occasion and I jumped at the opportunity to perform my latest routine for mi familia. I started to spend hours practicing the latest Selena songs and copying her dance moves, all to perform a magnificent show for my family. Instead of playing with my friends as a little girl, I was at home, rehearsing- this was my idea of fun. I will never forget the rhythmic cumbia dances at our parties, or the delicious aroma of pupusas, quesadillas, and tamales that filled the room. My performances concluded the night, and I can still hear the cheers from my tias and tios as I sang.
My parents are from El Salvador in Central America, and encouraged my love of the arts. They taught me that anything is possible with perseverance and determination. Because of the way they raised me and the loving, vibrant culture I grew up in, I decided to not give up and pursue my dream of becoming a singer. As my backup plan, in a case that I don't become a famous singer, I am studying Business Administration for the Arts and Entertainment at Pace University, to learn the "ins and outs" of the music industry. This way, music will always be a part of my life. With a degree in this field I hope to one day be able to manage myself as an artist and help others accomplish their dreams. I want to be able help aspiring singers discover that with hope, no dream can go unaccomplished. In the long run, I will pursue my dream and work hard to make it happen. At Pace, my short term academic goals include keeping my grades up and studying abroad for a semester, to expand my horizons and see life in other parts of the world. The little girl who sang at her family's parties lives in me as I grow older, and reminds me to never give up and chase my dreams.