Julian's Story

My passion is classical music.

I discovered classical music through WQXR, New York City's classical radio station. Immediately, I was captivated by the wonderment, the otherworldly beauty of the music, an otherworldliness that I, as a Christian, recognized. Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Liszt's Transcendental Etudes, Elgar's Salut d'amour, Wagner's Prelude from Tristan und Isolde: all of these pieces move me to tears because of their ability to stand outside of time, and yet invite us, lovingly, to participate in it. Classical music's glory is that it gives dignity to suffering, and in the madness, finds beauty.

Attending Philips Exeter Academy Summer School will help me explore my passion because of its ability to provide access to a world class music faculty and social opportunities that one can only dream of. Over the next few weeks, I will begin my applications to the Manhattan School of Music and the Juilliard School for pre-college to study classical voice. As a student of color coming from a background that is not privileged, I do not have access to the other resources to train in classical music as many other do. Therefore, much of my work has been on my own. Philips Exeter's Summer School will allow me to begin to receive professional classical voice training and refine my natural aptitude for music.