CLASS OF 2020: Featuring Nina Estrada. Creative! Committed! Courageous!
Nina performing on-stage. Photo courtesy of Nina Estrada.
Student Interviews on the Impact of the Arts
The Burbank Arts for All Foundation is proud to highlight students in the CLASS OF 2020 who have been part of the robust arts community in Burbank Unified School District classrooms. We hope you enjoy reading about their experiences and getting to know them as we celebrate an important milestone in their lives: high school graduation.
Today, we present to you Nina Estrada, who sang and danced through the Burbank High School's performing arts program. This fall, Nina will attend Berklee College of Music in Boston where she will focus on songwriting and vocal performance. Congratulations Nina!
“Whatever I end up doing, I want it to involve music. I’m hoping to become a recording artist who writes music for myself and other established artists. If not, I have a couple of different backup plans. I want to go into music supervision, or maybe music education. Whatever it may be, I know I’ll be happy.”
My name is Nina Estrada, I am 18 years old, and I'm a singer/songwriter. I was in show choir for all four years of my high school experience, and VMA Vice President during my senior year. I have been writing music ever since I can remember, but above all, I love singing and performing.
What was your first experience with the arts while in the Burbank Unified Schools?
When I moved from New Mexico to California in the 8th grade, I knew I wanted to be part of the new choir. I had sung with my school's choir in New Mexico, but it was nothing compared to what was in store. I auditioned for show choir in 8th grade and was put in Girls Next Door. During my freshman year of high school, I auditioned for the VMA and was part of Impressions. This first year of high school choir was genuinely life-changing. I discovered my love for performance and met Mr. Carroll and Randy Sage, who both helped me grow tremendously.
What art experience in the schools are you most proud of, and how did it impact you?
Being in In Sync in my junior year was probably one of the most gratifying experiences I’ve had. It was my first year in the top choir, but I also met so many new people, created lifelong friendships, and performed a fantastic set that got us the first place at nationals in Ohio. We performed the set roughly seven times, but the countless hours of work we put into this show was a different story. I loved being on stage and everything that went on behind the scenes. All the sweat, blood, and tears that we put into the show made it so worth it.
What advice do you have for younger students interested in doing something like what you do?
Just go for it! Everyone starts somewhere, and you will never know what you're capable of if you don't try and give it all you've got. Audition for choir even if you're slightly interested in it because I promise that it's SO much more than just singing and dancing at the end of the day.
Please share your plans for your future after graduation. Are you going on to college? If so, where and what do you hope to study?
I will be attending Berklee College of Music in Boston with a focus on songwriting and vocal performance! I am very excited about this because it has been my dream school for a while now, and I know I will love being in an environment surrounded by others who love music as much as I do.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Do you expect the arts to continue to play a role in your life, and if so, how?
Whatever I end up doing, I want it to involve music. I'm hoping to become a recording artist who writes music for myself and other established artists. If not, I have a couple of different backup plans. I want to go into music supervision, or maybe music education. Whatever it may be, I know I'll be happy.
Nina is an accomplished song-writer. Click here to hear her sing!
Nina performing on-stage with In Sync. Photo courtesy of Nina Estrada.