Statement of Purpose As musicians, we have the ability to extract emotions from people whom weve never met or even

seen. This is a powerful ability and is part of the reason I am a musician today. I remember being in 8th grade listening to a band called System Of A Down. Their music made me feel energized, sad or happy and at that moment upon listening to them, Ive never thought about pursuing anything other than music. I started my musical studies in the 6th grade on up to 12th playing trumpet for the Port Isabel School District in South Texas. During those years I participated in All-Regional Competitions where I played for the All-Region Band. More notably, the Port Isabel Marching Band advances to state nearly every marching season where we placed 4th in the state in 2004. Though I played trumpet, I also played a little guitar at home. For me, guitar was a more enjoyable instrument than any others I had tried. This is why I chose classical guitar as my major going into college. I am currently at the University of Texas in Brownsville finishing my music education degree under the direction of Dr. Michael Quantz. As I started my studies there, my applied lessons were first with Mr. Jose Luis Escobedo and now Dr. Jonathan Dotson of the Texas Guitar Quartet. Through the years here I have participating in numerous guitar ensemble/solo concerts. Annually, our guitar department hosts the popular Brownsville Guitar Ensemble Festival & Competition where highly recognized guitar artists perform and give master classes. My years here have been very fulfilling and I feel I have come to a near professional level with my playing. Aside from studying with the professors at UTB, I have also had the opportunity to have master classes and private lessons with various guitarists such as Adam Holzman, Scott Tennant, LAGQ, Andrew Zohn, Denis Azabagic, Johannes Moller, Issac Bustos, just to name a few. In the year of 2012, I have achieved some notable awards such as 1st prize in the University of Texas Pan American International Guitar Competition as well as being a semi-finalist for the Texas A&M International Solo Guitar Competition. I also was selected as a performer through audition to play an Honors Recital for the UTB music department. Currently I am a gigging classical guitarist playing at least once a week for different occasions. I am also teaching though The Spirit of Music Academy here in Brownsville with a couple of other private students on the side. From what I understand UT is one of the top guitar schools in the country and am familiar with the professors there. I have had a lesson with Adam Holzman and can say that it was one of the most beneficial lessons Ive had. I hope to someday be at his professional level. Thank you for your time reading this and I hope to audition for your school very soon.