Mastering the art of playing five instruments isn’t something that is done in just one night. However, through practice and hard work, junior Oriana Amodeo has accomplished this feat at an early age.

Music has been a great influence on Amodeo since the age of two. She’s been in choir since 7th grade and she sings for her church on Wednesday nights. She first picked up the Ukulele at 15 years old and has been playing it since then.

“Music helps me chill, express myself, and have fun,” Amodeo said. “I even love the parts where I get frustrated and my fingers bleed.”

According to Amodeo, the musicians she looks up to the most are Joni Mitchell, Frankie Cosmos, Elliot Smith, Duster, The Garden and Phil Elverum. They inspire her through her own musical production. She listened to “Country Sleep” by Night Beds when she was younger and said she liked the vibe of the acoustics.

“I mostly listen to everything, though, and especially love to branch off to different subgenres because I really like more experimental-type music,” Amodeo said. “These musicians really made me want to play acoustic guitar and I don’t think I would be making the music I am today if I hadn’t have found out about them.”

College is a lifelong goal for many people wanting to pursue the career of their dreams. For Amodeo, she isn’t any different. Her goal is to go to Berklee University of Music in Boston, Massachusetts for a double major in business and performance.

“I really wanted to be a Jazz and Blues musician because I listened to it a lot and Billie Holiday inspired me when I was younger,” Amodeo said. “I learned how to sing Jazz through listening to other people.”

Music can be seen as an intimidating career choice for many. However, music has helped Amodeo find her path in life.

“I’m still a teenage girl trying to figure myself out,” she said.