- Please provide a brief description of your STEP Signature Project. Write two or three sentences describing the main activities your STEP Signature Project entailed.
My step project was a creative endeavors and arts project, and in this project I took personal piano lessons at a music studio called Music Palette, located 1031 College Ave, Columbus , OH 43209. I learned the basics of playing the piano and musical theory that helped build the foundations of understanding the instrument and everything that goes into being a pianist. It certainly is an experience that has played a significant role in my college journey.
- What about your understanding of yourself, your assumptions, or your view of the world changed/transformed while completing your STEP Signature Project? Write one or two paragraphs to describe the change or transformation that took place.
I learned a lot about myself while playing the piano. I learned that I am quickly irritated and impatient in the face of things that challenge my inner self who I actually am. The reason why I stated this is because playing the piano is not just about moving your fingers fast and looking cool. But it is about understanding the proper techniques and the foundations of music theory. I never really preferred doing the music theory booklet that I received because I felt as if it was homework. But understanding that theory book built a foundation and it helped me learn and improve. From working only within the five finger scale to a full octave scale, the understanding of improvement showed me that in life you have to start off small and in your journey you have to continuously grow. It is in those moments where it is most challenging that we have our most inner growth. I believe this very important life lesson pertains directly to my life as a young adult and as a junior at The Ohio State University.
- What events, interactions, relationships, or activities during your STEP Signature Project led to the change/transformation that you discussed in #2, and how did those affect you? Write three or four paragraphs describing the key aspects of your experiences completing your STEP Signature Project that led to this change/transformation.
Having the understanding of how the little things play an important role in the big things, goes hand-in-hand in our everyday lives. For example you need a permit before getting your driver’s license. Understanding the rules and regulations of the road prior to taking that drivers license exam gives you the proper knowledge and understanding to be a proper driver earning you your credentials. Apprehending that the notes on a piano from the letter c until g plays a role in making chords and chords play a role in making beautiful sounds and that is how we make songs from different chords. Some may go on different scales but each small unit is a part of the big picture. It taught me that you have to learn the basics to play beautiful songs.
Patience, consistency, and commitment were things that were required of me as an individual to get the best experience that I could get of this project. And I believe they were very challenging because playing this instrument requires these essential qualities. Especially when you have to learn a song for your next lesson. There were times where I did not get to practice at all and it showed in my personal lesson. I never enjoyed the feeling of leaving a lesson knowing that I did not improve. Putting your practicing aside and being inconsistent gave results that I did not want. I realized that if I wanted to do good, I had to be committed. I appreciate that. Working hard and completing a song was a gift in itself, that only the participant can understand.
One last very important subject I want to speak on is being taught. My piano teacher Mrs. Esther watched me very closely during each lesson. She made sure that I had a proper fingering position and also that I was playing the right keys and hitting the correct notes. She saw my improvement from the start, and understood where I needed to be to keep improving. Each step was necessary to get to the next, and her knowing this and teaching me the way she did is a very important partof making this step project very cherishing. In my life today I am taught, led, and groomed by my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In order to grow you have to learn and how would you learn unless you were taught. We all learn from someone, life experience, or something. That is why being taught is important to me.
- Why is this change/transformation significant or valuable for your life? Write one or two paragraphs discussing why this change or development matters and/or relates to your academic, personal, and/or professional goals and future plans.
I believe this change is very transformational in my life because of how personal it is for me. Wanting to pursue a career as a physical therapist is not an easy task to do. But having this step project experience has taught me that it is not just about pursuing the goal, but understanding the goal has to be reached by different trials and tests. The reward has a requirement and in order to achieve that reward we have to meet those requirements regardless of what we think that is how it has to be done. Thank you Step for the opportunity to be a part of this.
