Think back to middle school music class. For most, memories of an awkwardly quiet choir class or band instruments playing out of tune flood your brain. But some choose to express themselves through their instruments. Instead of the typical student grudgingly picking up a clarinet or trumpet, senior Amaya Mitchell chose to take up the euphonium. At the age of 10, her 5th grade band teacher sparked her interest in the little-known and quirky instrument after giving a brief description to the class. Taking the hint from her classmates’ confused reactions. “It was an instrument no one else would pick,” Mitchell said. The fact that she would stand out and would have the chance to excel in such a specific artform is what inspired her choice.

“A trombone that looks like a small tuba,” Mitchell said.

The euphonium produces a very smooth, mellow tone and is a part of the brass family. She enjoys playing alongside her classmates in the Paly band, as well as participating in the Pep Band. Imagine a football game without the Pep band’s iconic lap around the track or the band leaping in unison, it just would not be the same. Mitchell has a fondness for the high energy and the active role she plays in the home games. “Being able to represent a different division of Paly,” Mitchell said. Her appreciation for the more modern aspects of band led her to join a hip-hop band over the summer. “It was fun to see a new aspect of music,” Mitchell said. “There’s more fun and freedom, but I’m still more of a classical girl.” This summer program enabled Mitchell to diversify her musical abilities and to meet other talented musicians. Music, however, is not her only form of elf-expression.

Known by many Paly students as a style icon, Mitchell’s bold outfits help her stand out wherever she goes. Sitting across the band room in an elegant and vibrant mustard sweater adorned with ruffled sleeves, she recalls her style epiphany. “I used to live kind of quietly and now I live as loud as I want,” Mitchell said. This is a mantra she has lived by all throughout high school. The once shy Jordan middle schooler is now well-past her timid phase and has evolved into an unapologetic artist, in music and in fashion. Through the discovery of her own style she has become more connected with herself and explores a different vehicle of self-expression.

People are different; everyone has their own talents and eccentricities that set them apart. Mitchell’s are unusual in that within the Paly community, especially in the band room, her devotion to creativity inspires others to explore their own self-expression. Having nothing short of an extremely bright future at Duke University, Mitchell intends on continuing her career as a euphonium player and bringing her unique fashion sense to her new campus.