Art Destroys Silence Claire Margaret Pilcher

Every single time I step onto a stage, I feel as though I could faint. The only noise that breaks through the silent auditorium is the stepping of heels against the hardwood floor as I approach the middle of the stage. I take a deep breath as I look around me and raise my violin to play.

I am telling a story.

My violin takes off without a second thought and soon it has me completely under its control. My mind takes a break while my heart begins to pour all of its emotions out onto the stage for everyone to hear. I block out any distraction and the powerful sound of my own violin is the only force strong enough to gain my attention. I am my best self when I am surrounded by music, and I cannot imagine myself surviving without it.

In hindsight, my love for music comes to no surprise. My earliest memories are of my parents playing a medley of different musicians and genres at every moment of the day. Driving to preschool was always a time for Sheryl Crow, while falling asleep sounded like the songs of Bob Marley. Even if it was unintentional, my parents made sure that I had been immersed in every style of music I could get my hands on before I had entered grade school.

As my school life adapted, so did my artistic side. Loving...