Fifteen years.
Four musicals.
A life of love for music.
Sophomore Violet Bradley was more than ready to take on the role of singer in a band.
Bradley started theater in seventh grade as a way to pursue her interest in singing. This ignited a love for theater. Her participation in the ‘80s-themed jukebox musical “Rock of Ages (Jr.)” was the seed to keep her acting and singing. Her love for the stage grew upon discovery of theatrical bands such as My Chemical Romance.
“I really wanted to do musicals and sing, and it became something more,” Bradley said. “I really like theater for theater, and I love bands that do theatrical stuff. They kind of go hand in hand.”
Bradley formed a band, Tiger and the Lilies — named after drummer Tigerlily Eltzschig – in the winter of 2024. Though it was originally for a fundraiser with Bellaire’s Music As Medicine Club, their participation in the “Bellaire’s Got Talent” show in May 2025 pushed them to continue the band outside of school.
“The band has always been something I’ve wanted to do,” Bradley said. “We’re still figuring some things out and we’ve had a few setbacks, but hopefully we can get it up on its feet.”
Though the member lineup has shifted throughout the band’s lifetime, Tiger and the Lilies has always been about connection through music. The group’s passion for music has acted as a mutual interest between both friends and bandmates.
“I think all of the members in Tiger and the Lilies share an overall love and passion for music, and it is truly the uniting factor for all of us,” Eltzschig said. “We initially started the band to have a space where we can create music together. For me, creating and playing music is something truly unique as it gives you a connection to the music itself, and the people that you are playing with that is like no other.”
Tiger and the Lilies is in the process of writing original singles to release and possibly put on an extended play, which is shorter than a full-length album while also longer than a single. They feature a variety of musical influences, from the Beatles to the Strokes and the All-American Rejects.
“We all like different bands,” Bradley said. “I’m more into the 2000s rock, but she [Eltzschig] likes ‘60s-’70s stuff. We’re working towards a way to mix all of those together.”
When performing, the band covers different songs depending on the audience. All members have a part in the songwriting process, but Bradley and bassist Constance Krane take the lead on lyrics that are emotionally driven and mirror their internal thoughts. Bradley writes lyrics drawn from her lived experiences and brings those moments fully to life in performance. Through this, Bradley brings confidence and energy to the stage.
“When Violet performs, she gets in a zone that centers around something she only understands,” sophomore Jacqueline Wylie, a close friend of Bradley’s, said. “She feels the music. You can tell she loves what she does and the music even more.”
Wylie has known Bradley since when they performed together in “Rock of Ages (Jr.)” but didn’t become close until freshman year. Wiley was really able to see Bradley’s growth in her journey this year after becoming best friends over a theater competition.
“Violet grew immensely in her confidence, especially in music,” Wylie said. “In total, I think she just grew more into herself. Violet has always known who she was, but I think that her identity just came together in such a beautiful way through her band, music and life in general.”
Bradley is often seen in the group as the positive motivator and the one who keeps spirits up during tough band practices or when they have a challenge with songwriting. Her driving passion for music combined with her kindness naturally led to long-lasting friendships within the band.
“Violet is by far one of the best people I have worked with in music,” Eltzschig said. “She is super cooperative, creative and prepared at every single practice. Outside of the band, Violet is my best friend and has always treated me with much care and made me feel welcome even before we were close.”
Bradley’s love for music also extends into the classroom, where she is an active member of music-centered clubs such as Vinyl Record Club and Riot Grrl Club. Through the Riot Grrl Club, she has explored feminism, politics and fashion through the lens of ‘90s bands like Hole and Bikini Kill.
“I love Riot Grrl because it ties in music and feminism, and those go hand in hand,” Bradley said. “I love the movement, and I feel like there’s a really great cause and meaning behind it.”
Her passion for music has led Bradley to meet local bands both in and outside of Bellaire such as My Callisto, Slacker and Rose Flavored Cigarettes.
“Once you start playing more shows, you start to meet more people,” Bradley said. “I’ve made a lot more friends and connections. We’ve been more connected with other bands in the school, so I really enjoy the Houston scene.”
Bradley hopes her music will bring others together and inspire people to keep being creative and pursuing the arts.
”It’s important to express how you feel through art,” Bradley said. “Art is the one that crosses boundaries and connects everybody.”
