In ninth and tenth grade at Roosevelt High School I decided to enroll in the orchestra.  Academically, I was just another average procrastinating student. I would do all my work, but just enough to get a descent grade. My life at that point revolved around music and the “homies.”—the guys. Life was just too amusing and outrageous to actually focus on school.  Sometimes, I would act up in my classes especially in my tenth grade English class. One day in my English class my teacher, Miss Garcia, assigned the class a group project, which I was not that interested in. Being rebellious, I began to act up in class. I got detention as a result. I already had a track record with Miss Garcia, so one day in detention Miss Garcia asked me, “Abraham, why are you acting this way? At your age you should know right from wrong.” I just rolled my eyes. She then told me, “I’ll make a deal with you. Just listen to me for one second. There is a new program I just heard about here at Roosevelt. It is called the Find A Tree program.” I laughed at the title of the program. She went on. “Listen! It’s supposed to help students achieve their dreams. I bet you have a cool dream, and I bet that this program will help you come close to it, so here is the deal. I thought, “Come on, all I have to do is show-up and not really pay attention and leave with no detention hours.” I told her, “Ok.” She said, “Ok, the program will be held in my classroom on Thursdays.”

            Thursday came and I showed up very skeptical. This was just another pointless program for Roosevelt students to get out of trouble. Miss Garcia was there and some other tall guy.  I took a seat. The tall guy immediately introduced himself. “Hi my name is Daniel Armstrong and yours?” This guy just seemed too optimistic for me. Anyways, I replied, “Abraham Aragundi.” He got straight to the point, “So Abraham, what is your dream?” I don’t know why such a simple question was difficult for me to answer, probably due to the fact that no one actually showed any interest about my dreams before. I said, “I guess I want to be a baroque cellist and possibly join a baroque orchestra in the future.” Now I remember why I rarely talked about my dream. It was because to most people it sounded so banal. How many people in Boyle Heights love baroque music or heard baroque music? Most people here listen to metal, hip-hop, rap, emo, trans, or banda. Mr. Armstrong was different. He actually was very delighted and content about my dream although he really did not know what exactly baroque music was.  Just the feeling of another person caring for another’s dreams, hopes, and goals was awe-inspiring. I said to myself maybe this program may just help me.  Mr. Armstrong also told me of how other students achieved their dreams with his program. He then asked me “Ok, Abraham, so what does it take to become a great baroque cellist?”  I told him, “Well, for sure it takes a lot of practice, commitment, and most of all passion, oh, yeah, and a cello.” That was my problem. I did not even have cello. “You don’t have a cello?” Mr. Armstrong asked.  So we began discussing ways to get a cello. “What can you do to purchase a cello?” Mr. Armstrong asked me. “I guess I can give lessons,” I said pessimistically.  “That’s great! We will have to make flyers so people can know that you are willing to give lessons.” That first day with Mr. Armstrong was outstanding and full of tasks that I had to accomplish to aid me with my dream.

Weeks passed and the flyers were not working, but I was not going to give up on myself and on Mr. Armstrong.  I did the next best thing.  I went to my former elementary school to see if some music students wanted lessons.  My mother helped me by convincing the parents. I was skeptical.  Would parents actually spend their own money on their children’s music? After all, the teacher was only fifteen years old. It took some time to convince the mothers, but in the end about three mothers agreed. I know this was going to be a challenge fro me. Every Sunday in my living room I would teach three little girls, including my sister. They taught me to be patient with them and with myself.  Every Saturday they would come happily bragging on how their teacher gave them compliments on their playing. That’s when I knew I was doing the correct thing. Once the school year was over for summer vacation, I was bummed. I had not earned enough money yet to purchase a cello. Then I got a call from a former teacher, it turned out that he wanted to get a few lessons from me. “Wow!” I thought, me teaching a former teacher. I did give him lessons for two months. One day he told me, “Abraham, what you are doing is just great.  I really admire you for taking the initiative to achieve your dream.” He then handed me some money and said, “This is not much money, but hopefully it would help you. I like the cello, but it’s just not for me.” That was my former teacher’s last lesson. With his contribution, I now had the money to purchase a cello. A week later, my mother took me to a music store to buy my new cello. My cello was magnificent. It wasn’t the ideal cello, but it didn’t matter to me. What mattered was that I worked hard for it and I truly deserved it.  With my new cello, which I named “Ebony,” I was able to perform Vivaldi’s Cello Sonata with e string orchestra in my school auditorium.  It was a blissful moment.
           
            The Find A Tree program is a success if one does his/her share of the work. Through the Find A Tree program I was able to intern with The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, that experience was unforgettable. I met the world’s leading musicians and soloists. I was also fortunate to be the harpsichordist’s page turner for Bach’s Sonata in G major for viola and harpsichord. I was on stage where many famous musicians had set foot on.

            The experience with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and the Find A Tree program taught me to work hard and always look at the bright side. Be optimistic about your goals and dreams. With that knowledge I gained, I was able to make it in to the Boyle Heights Youth Symphony where I hold the principal cellist position and receive private lessons with professional cellist Margaret Edmondson.  I am currently the owner of a $2,800 cello, which I won in a competition. I named my new cello “Ceci.”  And if that’s not enough, I now hold the position of principal cellist with the Los Angeles City College Orchestra.  I am currently continuing my musical studies at Renaissance Arts Academy.  I guest I am getting closer and closer to my dream of becoming a baroque cellist. Who knew that that day I decided to attend the Find A Tree program was the day my life would change!