.jpg)
“I don’t know who I’d be if I wasn’t a musician, and I have SLCC to thank for that.”
Not many people can say the hobby they started in third grade still plays a central role in their life over a decade later. But for Alizeh Jawaid, music was never just a hobby. After dedicating her time and talents to SLCC from elementary through high school, Alizeh is now a double major in music and psychology at American University. She sings with the university’s Chamber Singers, plays gigs with her band, and writes music through the Songwriters Hub.
Alizeh gained more than just vocal training at SLCC; she learned discipline. “Throughout my time at SLCC, the importance of punctuality has been emphasized time and time again,” she says. “Although this may have had me rolling my eyes as a kid, I’m eternally grateful that punctuality was such a big deal now that I’m an adult. Especially in the music world.”
SLCC undoubtedly helped her find her voice–in more ways than one. “I was always pretty shy at school, but as soon as I got to rehearsal, I became a chatterbox,” she says. “I just need to be around the right people.”
Some of those people are still in her life today. According to Alizeh, “SLCC is not just a musical organization, it’s a community. Because of SLCC, I know someone will always have my back.”
_________
I started singing with the St. Louis Children's Choirs when I was in 3rd grade, and continued all the way through my senior year of high school.
My best memory with SLCC has to be when we were on tour in Ireland, following my senior year of high school. We visited Glenveagh Castle, a beautiful oasis with a mountain view. My friends and I fell behind the rest of the group on the walk there, since we’re all pretty slow walkers. So we actually missed the large group tour. Instead, we spent our time exploring the gardens of the castle and chatting with the barista at the small coffee stand. We got to learn more about life in Ireland and grew closer to each other in the process. Those friends and I still talk all the time, and I would consider them some of my closest friends.
For one, being part of SLCC showed me a lot about myself. I was always pretty shy at school, but as soon as I got to rehearsal, I became a chatterbox. SLCC showed me that I’m an extrovert through and through, I just need to be around the right people. This has especially aided me now that I’m in college. SLCC has also introduced me to a love of music, so much so that I am now double majoring in music and psychology at American University. Here, I sing with the American University Chamber Singers and participate in the university’s Songwriters Hub. I have a band I regularly rehearse with, and play gigs often. I don’t know who I’d be if I wasn’t a musician, and I have SLCC to thank for that.
Throughout my time at SLCC, the importance of punctuality has been emphasized time and time again. We were always told that 5 minutes early is on time, and to be in our spots on the risers by the time rehearsal began. Although this may have had me rolling my eyes as a kid, I’m eternally grateful that punctuality was such a big deal now that I’m an adult. Especially in the music world. Setting up for concerts and events can take a long time, so showing up at call time is extremely important. This can even be applied to life in general- being early is being on time, and showing up to professional events a little early shows dedication and respect.
SLCC is not just a musical organization, it’s a community. By being a part of SLCC, you are part of a family that truly cares for you and wants you to succeed. SLCC has taught me so much about musical excellence, as well as the importance of kindness and empathy. Because of SLCC, I know someone will always have my back.
