Dear Council Member Dinowitz,
My name is Reyna Cortes, I am a Cellist. I attend Celia Cruz High School and I am passionate about music education. I believe music education is important because you can express yourself with it, finding yourself within the music and your instrument.
Music has impacted my life since I was about 4 years old. My uncle has been a musician since he was about 12. My uncle used to live with my family since I was a baby. He would practice in the living room and my parents tell me that I would come running out of our room to go stare at him playing in the living room. When I was about 4 or 5 he moved away but every time I went to visit this uncle he would play for me and my brother. My Uncle played guitar, drums, and some bass. My uncle would let me play his drums, and I was very happy too. I wanted more. I wanted my own drum set but it was very expensive so I never bothered to ask my parents. In the 2nd Grade, our school put my class into a music class. We all played the recorder. It was super fun but to be honest I didn't like high-sounding instruments. I love wind instruments but blowing and gasping for air afterward wasn't my thing – it was still super fun for this experience. In 3rd grade, I joined the chorus at my school. It lasted until the end of elementary school. I still remember my wonderful teacher Ms.BB. In 4th grade my school got violins and we learned a song. I was ecstatic. The excitement to learn a new note and put it all together to play Mary had a little lamb was super fun. I know it is a lot but it’s my story and the amazing memories I had with the music still are with me and they are wonderful and I feel that kids should experience this too. It’s nice to be able to play an instrument. Trust me kids should experience this as I know it changed my life. The experience is worth every hour you put into it.
As a young person, I wish to make a difference by advocating for a change in my community. The change I wish to see in the music field is for every school to have music classes. Beginning in elementary school, it should be an extra class, Talent. In middle school, kids who were interested in music could choose from different talents. Unlike my middle school which didn’t allow me to change talents and changed my talent classes all the time without asking when I was enjoying my talent class. Every school should make music mandatory in elementary. So that every child has an experience in music.
I’m advocating for children who don’t get the chance to experience music education. I hope you will join me in making this possible so all students can have better access and understanding of music education because this is an amazing many students can agree they had. This impact letter means a lot to me. Thank you very much for reading and understanding. I hope you consider my letter.
Sincerely,
Reyna Cortes
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