Note to readers • This is part of a collaborative project between The Salt Lake Tribune and the Cougar Claw, Kearns High School’s student newspaper. Read more about these young Utahns’ experiences and perspectives here.
Standing on the stage of Abravanel Hall, staring at a full audience while surrounded by hundreds of singers, I was overwhelmed with anticipation. Months of hard work from every performer had led to us being able to practice together for the first time just a day before and, now, we were performing for an audience of more than 1,500 people.
Art is capable of creating beautiful and meaningful things in a variety of mediums. Anything artistic can leave impressions on the people who have the opportunity to experience it. Art can inspire them to look at things from new perspectives.
In my four years of high school, I took 6.5 credits worth of choir. It’s given me tremendous opportunities, including being able to sing in Abravanel Hall four times for the Utah Music Educators’ Association State Honor Choir. It’s also taught me many skills and helped me become friends with some amazing people.
Participating in choir has helped me develop many skills. In having to balance learning and memorizing multiple different songs as well as getting my homework done for other classes, I’ve learned time management, problem-solving and multitasking. I’ve also developed better leadership skills and confidence.
Developing these skills can help students as they look towards their future. Clark Busch, a freshman who has participated in choir, theatre and woodworking, discovered that his art classes “have all helped me realize that — no matter how good at something I am — I can always improve.”
This growth mindset is very helpful for any student, whether they’re looking at secondary education, getting a job or just trying to get through this current semester of classes.
For some students, art classes are just credits they need to graduate. For other students, their art classes are what keep them going to school. Art classes can provide space for students to participate in what they’re passionate about.
For me, choir is an anchor that holds me down through rough days. It’s a place where I know I have friends, there’s space for everyone to participate and everyone’s there to support each other as we learn and push ourselves out of our comfort zones.
Art provides a space for students to exercise their creativity and share parts of themselves with others. In choir, we learn to put our emotions into each piece we perform to help connect with our audience and communicate our message and experience with them.
Chad Zilenski, Kearns High’s ceramics teacher, tells me he loves seeing his students’ curiosity shine through their art pieces. He told me, “When students see themselves in their work, it’s not just a project, it’s a means of self-expression. Completing a project becomes a point of pride and accomplishment beyond a grade. I also love when students are inquisitive about ceramic processes showing their own natural curiosity.”
Students are able to find community in their art classes. Kearns’ choir teacher, Julie Duncan, says her classroom “gives kids a place to belong and a place to be safe. They have a family to support them and rally around them.”
As one of her choir students, I’ve absolutely found this to be true. There is so much support between choir students, whether it’s giving support through hard times or cheering each other on as we audition, practice and perform together.
Art classes are very welcoming to those who are interested in trying them. Kearns High Junior Lesya Hunt, a theatre and choir student, explains it well. She told me that “just because you haven’t done it before does not mean you’re not good at it! Try it! If you hate it, you can always quit.”
I’ve done many amazing things in choir. I’ve sung in incredible places, put in exhausting amounts of effort and made many close friends. But maybe the most incredible thing is how much all of that has helped me grow and prepare for wherever my future takes me.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Emilee Clark is a member of the Kearns High journalism class, on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.
Emilee Clark is a senior at Kearns High School. She’s very involved in choir and journalism.
The Salt Lake Tribune is committed to creating a space where Utahns can share ideas, perspectives and solutions that move our state forward. We rely on your insight to do this. Find out how to share your opinion here, and email us at voices@sltrib.com.