Success Story of the Month- July
Nena Kunnateerachadalai first set foot into the band room at PS 158, a VH1 Save The Music Foundation grant recipient school, in September of 2005 when she was an eighth grade student. Nena expressed to her teacher her sincere desire to study the alto saxophone. Although she was older than the rest of the beginners her teacher accepted her into the concert band.
Since she was starting the alto saxophone after many of her peers, she was far behind the other students. Amazingly within a few weeks Nena caught up with her more-experienced classmates. Catching up with her colleagues was just the beginning. Soon after Nena auditioned for and was accepted into the Queens Borough Wide Band and the MS 158 Jazz Ensemble. By the end of September Nena told her teacher of her intention to audition for LaGuardia HS for the Performing Arts.
A few months later Nena came running into the band room with her acceptance letter to LaGuardia. Her teacher was elated, but not surprised due to the determination and hard work Nena had exhibited.
In the Spring of 2006 Nena participated in the New York Pops group lessons offered for free after Borough Wide rehearsals. Due to her talent and unwavering determination, Nena was selected to play on stage at Carnegie Hall with the New York Pops. She also won the prestigious Ormandy scholarship, which granted her the opportunity to study at the New York State Music Festival in Oneonta, NY that summer.
At LaGuardia Nena took up the bassoon and it has since become her primary instrument. She has spent her weekends volunteering at Queens Borough Wide Band and has spent much of her free time during various breaks helping me at MS 158. Over the past four years Nena has risen to the top ensembles of LaGuardia. Nena decided that she wanted to major in music. She was determined to use her the gift of music to teach children.
Due to her family's limited means, Nena was unable to take private lessons. Her original music teacher from PS 158 helped where she could, bringing her to bassoon-playing colleagues. It was her unyielding love and devotion for music and the opportunity to learn a musical instruments in school that has brought her to where she is today.
In September of 2010, Nena will be the first in her family go to college! As a first generation American, she is thrilled that she had the opportunity to study music in school and knows it is why she is where she is today. She will be attending CUNY-Queens College, where she was given a music scholarship.
Nena's transcendent journey into the world of music is still in its early stages. There are times at which her teacher wonders what may have happened to Nena had she not wondered into the band room that September morning nearly five years ago. Music gave her a place to be outstanding. It gave her a life full of hope and promise. It gave her a chance at a future she may never have had. The gift of music has unlocked Nena's limitless potential.
