Have you ever wondered what happens, when a teenager with more than his plateful of anguish discovers the fine arts? Well, my name is Lucas and I happen to be that kid.

High school was a very hard time for myself. I was dealing with the overwhelming grief of my uncle taking his own life when I first found musical theatre. Although I never expected that I would pursue music in any way, it was an escape greater than I had ever known. I have always had a workaholic energy, and musical theatre allows you to put your everything into something and see your thoughts come to life.

During my time in musical theatre and choir, I not only survived my uncles suicide but I even survived a school shooting. But when I look back on it, those are not the standouts. I think about how I learned to unicycle, had several leading roles, and even had my first opportunity as a music director. In many ways, what started as an escape became a new passion and even sent me on towards my future career path.

Almost 5 years after the passing of my uncle, and I am now at UGA with the determination to become the very same kind of teacher that got me out of some of the darkest periods of my life. Someone who can be that escape for students, like how music was an escape for me.

Traumas will come and go in life, but I will never let them stop me from pursuing what/who I want to be. Music education is my passion. It makes me feel whole. It makes me, me.