“I didn’t really have any friends until I had my piano teacher,” said Michael Hummel, a music major at Los Medanos College. “Music has always been where I found the most belonging.”
From a young age, Hummel knew music was his passion. When he was 8, he began learning piano and then picked up the violin in high school. Now, in his second-year of college, he is in the school’s jazz band and creates music of his own.
For Hummel, playing music is more than showcasing his skill, it’s the powerful connection he feels within the melody. When he plays, he not only feels the vibrations of the deep notes but through his body, but also his soul.
Art isn’t simply having an artistic eye but having the capability to bring the vision to life, and forge it in a way that makes people feel it. Artists have the rare ability to feel an emotion profoundly and create a piece of work that evokes the same emotions from people without having to explain it to them.
“The best way of performing music is to bare your soul into it,” said Joan Cifarelli, Hummel’s teacher.
“And so, I bare my soul in my music,” said Hummel. “Feeling in sync with myself, the world and the people around me has always been my thing.”
Much of Hummel’s inspiration comes from his family, mainly his dad’s side, who have always had a love for writing. Unsurprisingly, Hummel discovered joy in creating his own works of literature as well. In elementary school, Hummel won an award for his poems, and by high school, he began writing fictional fantasy narratives. Hummel continues to use writing as another form of self-expression.
One of Hummel’s fondest memories was going on long bike rides with his dad along the Napa coast and listening to his favorite songs on repeat.
“It was exhilarating and it made me truly feel myself,” said Hummel, remembering their cycling excursions.
A significant adventure in Hummel’s journey for individualism was his family trip across Europe. From Scotland, to Ireland, and Harry Potter themed pit stops in between, the trip further fed his artistic hunger.
The first song Hummel ever learned on piano was “Hedwig’s Theme” from the Harry Potter soundtrack.
“I’ve always thrived off of vivid experiences, and I put that into my music,” said Hummel.
Although Hummel hasn’t yet decided on his future career, his intentions with music are clear. He hopes that his music inspires people in the same way that his favorite composers did before him and he wants to help people with music the same way that music helped him.
He believes becoming a music teacher may be a good career option after college because of his compassion and drive to help guide a path for children, like his music teachers did for him.
“I want to do and create things that make the world a better place and I want to make it better for the children out there who are still learning,” said Hummel.
Hummel said that he is grateful for the guidance he was shown and it fueled his passion for music and teaching others.
Hummel has had about 6 piano teachers over the years, many of whom inspired him. Hummel has said it is powerful when teachers help you find your place in the world of music at an early age.
Also powerful, is the opportunity to learn and create with people in the music space, and it is something that thrills him. Whether it was in middle school choir, learning from music teachers, or being in a band, Hummel enjoys gaining knowledge from his musical circle and finding connections within people who share an interest.
“There’s definitely an excitement that comes with being in a community,” said Hummel. “There’s something so magical about playing instruments with other people, and when everyone’s in sync it’s a next level experience.”
Looking ahead, Hummel is focused on continuing to explore and expand his musical talents; while also giving back to others in the way his teachers once did for him. Whether through teaching or creating music, Hummel’s ultimate goal is to use his art to make a difference in the lives of others.
With his deep passion for music and the powerful connections he’s made along the way, Hummel is eager to see where his journey will take him. What’s certain is that his music will continue to be a source of inspiration and healing, both for himself and for those fortunate enough to experience it.
