The eighty-ninth installment of a new series on the blog that we will be posting throughout the month of December. As some of you are aware, Music for All will be taking an Honor Band to the 2017 Rose Parade. Our members were selected by audition for the ensemble and come from all across the United States. We are looking forward to coming together for the first time as a band at the end of December and we hope this series will allow us all to get to know some (hopefully most!) of the members of this awesome ensemble!
Name: Nicole Zellers
Hometown: Indianapolis, IN
School Name: Ben Davis High School/ IUPUI
Section: Drum Major
What made you decide to apply to be a part of the band?
I heard about the band at the Drum Major Institute and wanted to be a part of this. Being a part of a group of people who think like you and are as dedicated to this sport as you is inspiring and amazing. There is nothing else like it. I love meeting other people and traveling, so this seemed like the perfect fit.
What part of the trip are you most excited about?
I am most excited for hanging out with everyone at Disney, after we have spent a week with each other and have gotten to know each other. I am also extremely excited to hear everyone play together for the first time.
What are three things you’ve learned from being involved in band?
I have learned patience, dedication, and a love for my craft.
Most memorable moment in band?
My most memorable moment in band was after the semi-state awards my senior year when we made it back to state finals. I remember turning around and joining the rest of our senior class on the field and just celebrating everything we had worked hard for this season, and having that weight lifted off our shoulders. We basically just had a big celebration party on the field and it was wonderful.
Besides band, what are you involved in at school?
Besides band, I was also involved with Varsity Swimming all four years, Key Club, Physics Club, a season of Winter Guard, and National Honor Society. Outside of school, I did dance, mostly ballet, for 16 years and was a ten year 4-Her.
What’s your favorite book?
My favorite book is Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
What’s your favorite song or piece of music?
Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. I absolutely love the Nutcracker and had hopes of someday being the sugar plum fairy in my studio’s production of the Nutcracker, but then I joined band. I still know the choreography by heart though.
Favorite movie?
Either Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban or Star Wars Episode VII The Force Awakens
Favorite ice cream flavor?
Turtle Somethin’
What’s your current plan for what you want to do after graduating high school?
I am currently a freshman at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis, where I am a Bepko Scholar in the honors college and majoring in Biomedical Engineering. I hope to get my masters in Orthotics and Prosthetics, and become a Pediatric Orthotist to help kids walk again.
Have you participated in MFA/BOA events before? Which ones?
My band participated in regionals my freshman and sophomore years, the Indianapolis Super Regional all four years, and Grand Nationals all four years. I also attended the BOA Drum Major Institute in 2014 and 2015, my junior and senior year in high school.
Tell us something interesting/unique about you:
I am a pointe dancer, so I have the shoes that allow me to go all the way up onto my toes. I absolutely love it and miss it now that I’m in college. I still put them on sometimes and dance around the fitness center.
