"The Sound of Music" by Katarina S

            Dalia Berman is a percussionist in California, who graduated with her bachelors degree in music performance from California State University Northridge and recently received her masters in world percussion from California Institute of the Arts. Berman, along with her musical education, had been heavily involved in the marching arts; being a member of world-class, award-winning ensembles such as Pulse Percussion, Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps, The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps, and Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps. Dalia Berman also happens to be Etiwanda High School’s Front Ensemble Caption Head, AKA, my instructor.

            Someone who has spent several years and several thousands of dollars on receiving a formal education in music had to have started somewhere. As a young girl, around the age of two, Dalia was put into piano lessons by her mother. Typically, those who are put into piano lessons by their parents end up not enjoying it or quitting a few years in, but not Dalia. Progressing towards her high school years, she had participated exceedingly in her school’s music program; playing drumset in jazz band, snare and tenor drums in marching band, concert percussion, and had even learned tuba her senior year to play for the freshman class band. Seeing how immersed she was in her own school’s music program, she found that band students today are much more exposed to outside musical experiences as well as that these cohorts of students tend to actively seek out more opportunities available to them than the student’s at her own high school did at the time.

            At the time that Dalia’s senior year arrived, she said, “I didn’t think it was not an option to go to college, my parents always kind of ingrained that. When it was time for me to pick a school or pick my major; I either wanted to do psychology or music, since those are the two things I like most. And I figured psychology didn’t offer any good jobs for me, so I chose music.” A dramatic flair that the movie industry that has influenced those to believe parents of children who choose to go towards the artistic route are conservative and find the arts to be a waste, is normally expected. However, Dalia’s college major choice was simple, as she found herself naturally inclined towards music, and her parents fully supported her in her decision. In fact, her parents still support her decision today, and had bought her a license plate frame that reads “I’d rather be playing tabla.” as a gift. (Sidenote: the tabla is an Indian percussion instrument.)

            Imagining herself twenty-five to thirty years from now, her first thought was, “Oh my god! Dead?!” However, on a more serious note, she sees herself no longer being a music educator, most likely still continue to play with her friends as a hobby. Along with that, Dalia has recently joined the Army Reserves Band and continues to perform with them, and will most likely still be participating in the program in the next few years.

            As a music educator in this age, Dalia finds motivation in students that are beginning to understand what staff says about having the passion and drive to grow more. Additionally, she perceives the most lasting words of advice she’s gained on her journey as a musician was to not be afraid to challenge yourself and take the opportunities that you’d want to take.

            Dalia Berman, in my personal opinion, is a brilliant and talented musician and has the degrees to prove so. Still, she is also ridiculously inspiring, funny, and most importantly - a role model.