Like every other 4 year old girl, I had a favorite princess. For me it was Ariel from The Little Mermaid. I loved the way her red hair swooped to one side and her sparkly emerald mermaid tail. The best thing about Ariel is her singing voice. That year, I asked Santa for Ursula's purple shell necklace and I shyly sang him the scales that play when you push a button. To my amazement Santa asked me to sing it again, even with all the children in line behind us waiting. On Christmas morning I got my necklace and was so excited to take it with me on our trip to Disney World. That necklace was my prized possession. I don’t know where I’d be without it.

Before my sister was born, my parents took me to Disney World. It was January and freezing so I wore my Ariel dress and necklace, under my winter coat. I remember walking down the brick path in front of Cinderella’s Castle after the sun had gone down. The park was lit up with lamps, moths fluttering around them. Suddenly, Cinderella’s stepmother yelled “Make way!”  She noticed I was shocked, broke character to smile then continued on yelling at her daughters. I was a little scared but my parents laughed so I did, too. The next day, we waited in line at Ariel's grotto. The colorful corals sparkled and shimmered like under the sea. I was nervous and anxious to meet Ariel. They took our picture and I showed her my necklace. Princess Ariel loved it and signed my autograph book. I was starstruck.

The Little Mermaid and other Disney movies inspired my love for singing and performing. I would reenact scenes from the movies and listen to the music over and over. I was obsessed. My mom would print out the lyrics for me to learn and to this day I can still recite every song from The Little Mermaid. Rehearsing for a performance gives me a sense of accomplishment and I also enjoy performing with friends like a team.

There’s a plaque on my piano that reads “Music is what feelings sound like.” There is music for every mood or emotion that we can express. I recently watched the movie again with my little sisters, the part where Ursula traps Ariel’s voice in the shell necklace still gives me chills. The shell necklace from The Little Mermaid is my symbol for performing and expressing myself through song.