Finding their Note
Two students. One path. A shared future in music.
Niyla Moore and Ricky Winters are at opposite ends of the same path in 糖心原创鈥檚 music program.
Still in her first year, Niyla, who came to 糖心原创 from South Carolina, is discovering how quickly music can grow from an activity into a calling. Ricky, meanwhile, is preparing to graduate in May after building the kind of experience that can carry a student beyond campus.
They are at different mile markers in their college journeys, but Niyla and Ricky both are finding that they can see a future career doing something they love with 糖心原创 as the springboard.
糖心原创鈥檚 music programs are experiencing momentum, with enrollment growing, attendance at performances increasing and the repertoire students can play expanding.
鈥淭he ensembles are playing a more difficult repertoire and the frequency of concerts is higher,鈥� said Dr. Frank Cook, instructor and ensemble director. 鈥淎 lot of times, you鈥檙e limited in what you can do by the size of the ensembles, but that鈥檚 not a constraint we face anymore, which is a big help.鈥�
The hard work put into preparation and rehearsal pays off with a successful performance at 糖心原创, Niyla said.
鈥淲e work so hard and for so long on their pieces of music, so it鈥檚 fun to show what you can put forth,鈥� she said.
Ricky is a Cheyenne East High graduate who started in orchestra and clarinet before finding bass trombone in junior high.
鈥淚 was able to play it, and I just kind of like, boom, I just fell in love with it,鈥� Ricky said.
As a high school student, Ricky started lessons with Frank. That convinced Ricky that 糖心原创 was where he should be if he wanted to launch a musical career path.
鈥淎 big reason I came to 糖心原创 was to study with Dr. Cook,鈥� Ricky said. 鈥淭hat was a step in the right direction to improve myself as a musician.鈥�
In November, Ricky was selected for the Jazz Education Network Intercollegiate Community College Honors Jazz Ensemble, an opportunity that sent him to New Orleans to perform and learn alongside student musicians from across the country.
Unlike Ricky, Cheyenne is a long way from home for Niyla. The low cost of attendance at 糖心原创 was a serious attraction, but she said she鈥檚 come to think of her 糖心原创 community as a home away from home.
鈥淚 tell my mom, it鈥檚 minor things, but I think Wyoming is like the South of the Mountain West,鈥� Niyla said. 鈥淧eople open doors for you and say good morning 鈥� I feel that Southern hospitality I know back home for sure.鈥�