Photo courtesy of Ted Simha-Webster

While I know magic doesn’t exist, the feeling that music can instill might be the closest thing to it.

At a young age I always associated music with positive experiences. Early mornings in the car with my dad driving to hockey practice we would blast songs to get hyped up. We’d sing along to the radio on a warm summer day at the cottage. There were so many little life experiences that were enhanced to a level only music could bring. People just generally seemed happier while music was playing and when my parents would turn on the speakers the day would instantly get better.

I began playing trumpet at a young age through my school’s music program. I instantly fell in love with creating melodies and with the idea that I could provide people with an experience. I felt that I could achieve a greater sense of personal value if I had the skills to create an experience for people that I associated with such positivity. I constantly listened to CDs of my favourite trumpet players and wished so badly that I would be able to play like them someday. My first experience at a live concert was seeing one of my favourite trumpet players, Herb Albert. It was also the first time that I had ever heard songs that I spent hours listening to being played right in front of me. I have to assume my jaw was on the floor. There was something so undeniably cool about being up on stage and having a group of musicians collaborate so well together to make something so sonically beautiful. I thought it was such an entrancing combination of talent, creativity and confidence.

I have long been a fan of rock music so naturally I aspired to play the guitar. During high school I idolised bands like Hollerado, The Sam Roberts band and the Arkells. Playing music had instantly become a huge passion of mine and I wanted to be like the people in all my favourite rock bands. I knew joining a band was something I needed to do and when I first took lessons, I heard that bass players “didn’t grow on trees” so I immediately started learning. Meeting like-minded people through the music scene and being able to hone a skill where I could express myself really solidified my love for playing. It is a feeling that has only continued to grow throughout the years.

Music is a lifelong pursuit and even though I now know how the trick is done it still feels like magic. I feel very grateful to have music as such a large part of my life.