Thayer has a good blend of many of the things that I was interested in. I was able to pursue all of the subjects that I was interested in academically while also playing bass for multiple combos and taking lessons during the school day.

I’ll attend Berklee College of Music, with electric bass as my primary instrument. I plan to study Professional Music or Music Production.

Academically, my math teachers and math classes were the most challenging. But my bass teacher Mr. Skop pushed me to play bass in the first place and continued to push me to improve and learn more about my instrument and music as a whole.

I really like the outdoors. Some of my favorite classes at Thayer were AP Biology, AP Environmental Science, and Earth Science because I got to learn about the outdoors and the world around me, with hands-on experience outside as well.

I’ve come out of my shell as a result of being on the stage and having the opportunity to put myself out there and try new things at Thayer. I never would have played bass if I hadn’t come to Thayer.

If I had to pick one person at this point in time, I would say Thundercat (the musician). He’s been an active and versatile member of the professional music community for years. He also played with many bands before becoming a successful and mainstream performer in his late 30s. I admire his years of persistence and dedication to his job before becoming a recognizable name.

Once again, Mr. Skop always made sure I was accommodated in my bass lessons and learning process. He would be willing to move lessons to whenever was most convenient and reschedule at the drop of a hat. He was a big help to me and my growth as a musician. 

College Counseling made sure I had backups to Berklee while I was applying for college. They helped me to make sure I wasn’t putting all of my eggs into one basket and to diversify my options after high school.

Everyone, including myself, loves the chicken patties. 

If you roll with the punches and make the best of everything that is presented to you, anything and everything can be a beneficial and worthwhile experience. I was able to continue progressing as a musician through virtual lessons on Zoom. 

My favorite Thayer memory is playing with my sophomore year Jazz Combo for the first time. We all clicked together musically, and it felt amazing. I’ll never forget it. 

The interactions among groups define Thayer. Everyone interacts pleasantly with others, and it creates a welcoming atmosphere for everyone, regardless of who they identify with or what classes they take or what sports they participate in.