Senior band major Kylie Gomez began her band career her freshman year playing the flute, and continued throughout her whole high school journey. She explained that along with playing her instrument, both marching band and concert band gave her a way to express her authentic self. She shared her biggest inspiration for being who she is in band, “Tanner Shell who was the life of the band and I wanted to be just like him. He was super loud and energetic, so when he graduated, I became the next loud and energetic person.” Gomez’s outgoing personality and energy has only brought positivity in her band journey.

Gomez found that she was inclined to band because it was something she loved to music and was naturally inclined to it, and because of this love, Gomez has learned to play multiple instruments. “I played the flute for two years until I wanted to switch and play Euphonium… so she [music instructor] put me on the hardest brass instrument. It was a double French horn…” Gomez elaborated that it came naturally.

Gomez also shared how music and her work life have blended over the years, showing how music finds its way into all aspects of her life, “I took a job last year as an instrument repairman because I wanted to continue in music. This allowed me to learn four new instruments: clarinet, alto sax, tenor sax, and trumpet.” Gomez’s talent for different instruments has led her far over the full length of her high school career. 

Taking on a leadership role in marching band, Gomez became a drum major her senior year. She shared that the experience was an interesting and sometimes difficult experience for her, but because of her extroverted personality and her love for band, she stuck with it.

As for concert band, Gomez became the section leader for trumpets, which allowed her to combine her natural music ability with her natural leadership qualities. She shared that throughout this year, the rest of the section has grown a lot. She explained, “They’re louder and more confident. At the beginning, I was louder than all of them… Now, they’re louder than me, I’m really proud of them.” Band has become a family for Gomez, and leaving it behind to graduate might be a sad moment, but she’s proud of the work she’s done to help that family grow.

Gomez also shared, “I plan to continue music after high school and even plan to make an animated series about music and magic.” As a way to continue her love for music and band, she plans on growing a digital space to share her art and skills that she learned over her high school years.