My name is Andrea Jolie Lazell and my whole life, I have wanted nothing more than to play. I started picking out little showtunes on a toy keyboard at the young age of 3 and got a formal teacher at the age of 7. I had that teacher until I was about 14, and taught myself from there with the occasional help of my band teacher, Mr.Wilson. I also taught myself how to read music and I have taught myself music theory. Despite not having a formal teacher teach me how to read, i believe I have made incredible progress in the year I’ve started. I practice for a decent chunk of my day, even leaving classes to go practice whatever piece I’m on, nitpicking it to the very core to make sure each note is correct. Some things I have achieved are going to the Omega Psi Phi fraternity Talent hunt and passing to the second round, and participating in the James Bland competition representing the Smithfield Lions and placed first in the first round, then placing second in the final round. I have also recently been accepted into the Governors school for the Arts, a prestigious music program for gifted students, and gifted are the students there!! While these are only a handful of achievements, I hope to add more to the resume by becoming a performer in the music industry.
You can find Andrea’s 2024 Summer Music Competition piano performance here.