“I was in third grade. My mom made me play. She said music helps your brain, it makes you smarter.

So she made me play piano, and I hated it. Because when you’re starting off, it’s really hard. You’re not playing fun songs. You’re playing Hot Cross Buns or whatever, like those boring songs.

After I moved to California, I stopped taking lessons for two years. I didn’t really do anything. Then I moved to Houston. I was applying for middle school, and choosing my electives. I picked piano on the bottom [of the list] and somehow I got in. Because I was already experienced, I didn’t just start from the bottom. I started to actually play songs that I liked. That’s when I really started to love it.

I want to continue piano for all of high school. Piano is fourth period for me and when I sit down, I just relax. For me, that class is where I don’t have to worry about anything, really. It is a time where I can have fun. And when stuff is changing, like a new school year, it’s really good to have a class like piano with the same friends, the same teacher and just be able to sit down and play.

Right now I’m playing ‘Misty.’ I know it from a cover by Ella Fitzgerald. Last year, I played ‘My Melancholy Blues’ by Queen. A lot of people play classical, which I think is what you’re supposed to do, but I just love jazz songs.

I think [playing piano] has made me feel safe and like I’m somewhere I belong. And it makes me smarter too, I guess.”