Now that I’ve ridden Rockin’ Roller Coaster at Hollywood Studios, I can write my post.

You can rock out with School of Rock at the Straz Center now until Sunday, January 7th; and it’s perfect for all ages! The adults will love the bit of humor that’s just for us, along with all the music; the kids’ talent(s) is impressive to all, and the spunkiness of the young musicians may inspire your little bean to pick up an instrument.

Of course I loved it. I’m a band nerd at heart and the vibrations of music still runs through my blood. To this day, I still walk to the beat if there is ANY music within earshot. I played piano from the age of 8 to 16, and even taught some lessons. I picked up the clarinet in 6th grade and didn’t put it down until college. I was even drum major my senior of high school — that’s like the queen of band nerds, in case you were wondering.

But to say music has always been a part of my life is not an exaggeration. When it hasn’t played a major part, it has always remained present.

Then: Education: while it was never a major subject, it included a lot of math on the fly. And I’m not a math person. Responsibility: being in marching & concert band during high school really laid on the responsibility since we participated in so many competitions. I was even a busy bee then, and was away from home often. Since we traveled so much due to being competitive, I had to earn my parents trust so I could continue to travel along too. Time management: …and you wonder how I juggle everything now?! Again, with the practices, travel, and personal practice, I still managed to get good grades and have a little bit of a social life. Passion: I found it early. Owned it fast. Put a lot of time and effort into it and made it mine.

Now: Emotions: I’ve never missed anything more. To this day, I wish I never gave up on playing the piano and am contemplating on finding a way to practice and play again. Anxiety: while I have not professionally been diagnosed, I know it’s present. And music is my drug. While it can sometimes be a negative affect on my anxiety, the right tunes can smooth my soul and make the tightness in my chest disappear. Meditation: while usually silent, mine isn’t. Star Wars and Star Trek soundtracks might be a few of my favorite things.

Music touches everyone differently. But those that have it embedded in our souls, it all started in a similar way for us. At a young age, we picked up an instrument…and the rest is usually history. School of Rock was a welcoming memory of how I started one of my strongest relationships… with the beat, rhythm and a tune.