"I am made of music"

by Praxton Smith

I am made of music. I dream of songs. There is nothing else I could do, nor anything I would rather be doing on this Earth. Even though other subjects capture my interest, music provides something that nothing else can. It is woven in to the fabric of life, and its frequencies can heal both the body and the spirit.

Music engages both analytical and creative thought. Playing an instrument teaches mindfulness and presence. Singing and humming activate the vagus nerve, offering comfort. Music has the power to transport you — bringing back feelings and sensations from the past or inspiring action toward the future. It can make you dance; it can lull you to sleep. It can make you cry, laugh, or give you goosebumps.

The options are endless when it comes to instruments, each offering unique ways to produce and shape frequencies. Music deepens self-awareness and empathy. It is a universal language; you don’t need to understand the words or the harmony behind it to be moved. Conversely, you can dive as deeply as you wish into the technicalities and intricacies of your instrument, harmony, and theory.

For me, that is the most beautiful thing about music: the journey it takes me on sonically and the mental expansion I feel as I grow and transform. It leads me to new people and places, guiding my path. It challenges my critical thinking while immersing me completely in intention and the present moment. Music is the ultimate form of fulfillment.

I grew up on Wade Park, down the street from The Music Settlement. It’s a family house that my grandma, great-grandparents, and their parents — born in Jamaica and Montserrat — lived in. My grandma took lessons there as a child, so it only made sense for my mom to enroll my brother and me in preschool there in the ’90s.

I still remember singing Turn Around by Malvina Reynolds with my classmates, then going home to figure out how to play it on the piano. The next day, I asked my teacher if I could play it for the class. I’m not sure how that moment translated to me picking up the violin, but I began studying with the Suzuki Method at five years old and started taking piano lessons at The Music Settlement when I was six or seven. I continued taking lessons there until I graduated high school.

My time at The Settlement shaped who I am today in so many ways. I was always inspired by the historic architecture and loved opening doors to discover old fixtures from when the building was still a home. I was fascinated by the woodwork, fireplaces, marble bathrooms, and all the small details that tied into the experience of playing classical music. Spending so much time there naturally made TMS a second home to me—that’s how the energy felt. From group lessons and theory on Tuesday nights to early morning Saturday lessons, I’ve gained a deep appreciation for how that commitment built my character.

All of it taught me patience, musicality, critical thinking, and gave me a sense of community. Every instructor was supportive, and as I reached my middle school years, my teachers encouraged me to share my gifts in their fullest capacity. I was producing songs, writing lyrics, composing for competitions, recitals, and performances.

Before my senior year at Orange High School, my violin instructor, Callista Koh, made sure I was prepared for my senior recital and college auditions. I was able to sing and perform my original music as well as play violin for both. I was accepted to Berklee College of Music on a Presidential Scholarship and later graduated.

Now, I’m a singer-songwriter, violinist, composer, arranger, producer, and DJ living in Los Angeles. Being part of The Music Settlement family enriched my life in countless ways, giving me experiences and wisdom that I carry with me to this day.