Shaundiin Smith, a graduating senior at Sahauro, got the once in a lifetime opportunity to travel with her band from Tucson Jazz Institute (TJI) to New York. There were 30 musicians who went and competed in the Essentially Ellington competition; TJI placed 3rd out of 15 different bands who attended the competition. Her favorite part of the competition was listening to all the other bands and seeing the support that her fellow musicians provided each other. Shaundiin was very excited that she was able to have this experience that “not everyone gets to be involved in”.

Shaundiin has been playing trombone for 8 years and has been a member of TJI for 7 years. At Sahauro, she is a part of the concert and marching bands. She holds up the trombone section and is very talented when it comes to playing her music. Shaundiin mentioned that when she saw an article about a former student that went on the same trip as she did, she said, “I really hope that can be me someday.” As Shaundiin Smith “lives and breathes music”, this trip was a phenomenal experience for her that she’ll never forget.