Michaela Sweis

• Awards and Honors
• Bravo Competition Winner 2023 Kalamazoo Fontana Chamber Arts 2023
• 3rd place at 2024 Michigan Chapter NATS on High School Classical Voice Competition
• District Solo & Ensemble, 2024, scored 1
• State Solo & Ensemble, 2024, scored 1
• Trombone Section Leader Otsego HS 2023

All my life, I have been drawn to and surrounded by music. I love that I can communicate through music and help others through the emotions I convey in performing. I vividly remember September 2022 when I was selected to sing the national anthem for U.S. 131 Motorsports in Martin, Michigan. That day was the first time I was allowed to perform for a venue outside my hometown, and the crowd would be the largest. There were 3,000 people in the stadium; the event was also streamed live on television and shared throughout social media. As soon as I saw the overflowing stands, my jaw dropped, and my body swelled with adrenaline and excitement. I remember the planes flying over my head and the crowd cheering at the end. After the performance, I turned to my Mother and said, "THIS is what I want to do for the rest of my life." Music and performing are like the air I breathe. Most of my happiest memories include music. I couldn't picture myself without music, and that's how I knew music performance was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. In college, I hope to gain the foundational skills necessary that will allow me to begin my journey to become a professional music performer. My journey could also lead me to graduate studies. Continued learning doesn't frighten me! I'm so excited to learn more about music and be surrounded by a community of learners and lovers of music.