My overall experience getting to be on the Hotwave stage was nothing less than surreal. The whole process, from the preparation to the actual day of the event, was highly stressful yet very rewarding. I remember the day we got the phone call that we made it in; it was a moment of pure joy and bliss. 

This experience pushed me to tap into my playing to levels that I’ve never been able to reach before due to the nature of the situation. Despite this, I did not feel pressure as much as pride and joy in every moment I spent practicing independently and as part of a band. I felt motivated to do well the entire way. I didn't ignore any roadblocks in my playing. I met them head-on to eliminate them and bring out the best outcome possible for myself. 

During this event, my band and I were very committed to perfecting everything we did for this prestigious national competition to the best of our abilities. Every little detail was covered, from playing to stage directions. Although we may not have reached our initial goal, I have developed significantly as an individual and band member, knowing what it takes to compete at a national level.