January Malkus

My name is January and I was born in January on the sand of surf city. With my eyes wide, ears open, dreaming under the California sun; nothing seemed impossible. Music was all around me, the sound of waves crashing, wind gusting and my father ripping on the piano while serenading my mother. Silence was not an option in my family, everyone expressed himself or herself through art and the boundaries were limitless.

At age 8, I saw the Sound of Music performed live on stage; I thought to myself …”this is home”. In the blink of an eye, I was on stage belting my heart out and tapping the night away. I was always the smallest girl with the highest pitched voice. So, I enjoyed shocking people by opening my mouth and letting my womanly voice ring throughout the auditorium. I had my fair share of bullying in school for being slightly different and music saved me from self-doubt. At the end of the day I knew I was perfect for all of my imperfections. I was known as the dreamer; my mind would daze off into the distance to a land where Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers ruled the world. Although I loved to learn I never felt like I belonged in the classroom; bright lights, center stage, in a fabulous (can’t-stop-me-now!!) outfit, that was my classroom.

So here I am, little miss sunshine singing to the beat of my own drum. I want to spread joy, awaken your soul, and encourage all to dream the impossible.