To many, music is just another form of media, but for others, like senior Hannah Beals Romero, music has the power to impact their whole lives.

Beals plays in various bands, including concert band, wind ensemble, jazz band, pep band, pit orchestra, and music ministry. 

She plays a variety of instruments. 

While her primary instrument is the flute, she also plays the piccolo, alto flute, alto saxophone, clarinet and ukulele.

Every artist needs to start somewhere, and she began in fifth grade, when her mother brought home a flute for her to try out after she had shown interest in music. 

“From there I picked it up and could not put it down,” she explained. 

Living in Texas at the time, she played flute for her school’s choir.

This changed when in 7th grade she moved to Wisconsin—where her school had an actual band to perform in.

From there, Beals got involved with anything music-related she could.

“I love performing music more than anything,” she said. “It’s so cathartic to me. It feels like such a raw form of self-expression.”

She explained that while an instrument isn’t an actual extension of yourself, it does feel like you are putting yourself out there through music. 

Additionally, music has connected Beals with some of her best friends.

“Playing together in an ensemble is really like a little family that you’re making,” said the musician. “Any ensemble that I’ve been a part of, even if we don’t know each other, we end up being friends in the end. Of course you will have your friends here and there, but having a whole community that is so consistently your rock is something you don’t find just anywhere.”

Beals is even planning to make a career out of music—majoring in music education and hoping to later become a band teacher.

That said, her first words of advice to anyone interested in music are to keep going. 

“Don’t be afraid to be bad, and ask questions,” she said. “Being the ‘worst player in your section’ is actually the best opportunity to grow. One of the ways people say to get better is just to surround yourself with people better than you, which does sound a little harsh, but it’s such an important way to realize what strengths and weaknesses you have and how you can make it better.”

Anyone interested in seeing Beals playing music can visit one of her many upcoming performances at Cabaret Night on March 25 here at NDA.