Aleah Amundson

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background? What motivated you to work with SOUNDS Academy?

My name is Aleah Amundson, and I am a first-year student at Grand Canyon University, pursuing a major in marketing and advertising. I moved here from Minnesota, but I am originally from Wisconsin. I was motivated to join SOUNDS Academy because of its cause and mission statement and was eager to be a part of a team that is making a difference in our community.

How did you get involved with SOUNDS Academy?

I got involved with SOUNDS Academy by applying for their marketing Art Corp internship and fell in love with their mission, to teach, mentor, and provide musical experiences and opportunities for underserved youth, and the work they do in the community.

Why are programs like SOUNDS Academy important?
I think programs like SOUNDS Academy are extremely important because all youth should have opportunities to explore music and SOUNDS Academy teaches the core character values of creativity, leadership, perseverance, resilience, and teamwork. I think it’s especially important that SOUNDS Academy has a variety of programs to meet students where they are.

Between the characteristics of creativity, leadership, perseverance, resilience, and teamwork, which speaks the most about your journey so far and why?
I would pick perseverance as the characteristic that best explains my journey so far because I have relied on my faith in God to get me through challenging times in my life, by remaining consistent to achieve my goals.

What title would you give your autobiography?
The title I would give my autobiography is “Unwavering Trust: My Journey Through Life’s Storms and God’s Faithful Plan.”

What superhero would you chose to be?
If I were a superhero, I would be Black Widow because when I was little, I dreamed of being a secret agent spy, it would also be fun to be a part of the Avengers.

What quote inspires you the most and why is the quote an inspiration to you?

“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows; it empties today of its strengths.” – Corrie Ten Boom

I’ve had a history of anxiety, and this quote reminds me that my anxiety doesn’t control me.

Israel Kim

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background? What motivated you to work with SOUNDS Academy?

My name is Israel Kim and I am a student with SOUNDS Academy. I play the cello and piano. I recently started homeschooling so I decided with all this extra time I would start interning.

How did you get involved with SOUNDS Academy?
I got involved with SOUNDS Academy 5 years ago when my mom asked me to pick an instrument. For my first year I picked the cello and then later started on piano.

Between the characteristics of creativity, leadership, perseverance, resilience, and teamwork, which speaks the most about your journey so far and why?
I believe creativity and perseverance speak with me the most about my journey because I had to persevere through hard times in my musical journey to succeed and be creative in my solutions and expressing with my instrument.

My teacher at SOUNDS Academy, Jaime Kellogg, has helped me become more open and confident when playing the cello and put more thought into how I want the audience to feel when I’m performing.

What title would you give your autobiography?
“How did we get here?”

What superhero would you chose to be?
Iron Man because he holds his superhero team together and I think he is just the coolest superhero ever.

What quote inspires you the most and why is the quote an inspiration to you?
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”

I chose this quote because it inspires me to preserve even if I’m not sure if I will succeed. Perseverance has helped me try out for advanced musical opportunities like YOLA, Phoenix Youth Symphony, and competitions, above my skill level.