“My life has three key passions, film, music, and medicine. All these passions are inspired and supported by my family. My love for film and documenting the world around me started when I was in middle school. I wanted to help them understand what she was going through without her having to explain her cancer to them all, so I decided to film her. I documented her life, her amazing strength, and the hardships she was working through while keeping a smile on her face. When her school played it at an assembly and her other friends battling cancer asked if I could do the same for them, I realized that film was a way I could make a difference in people’s lives.
Although music has always been a part of my life, I realized it could be my career when I was invited to audition for American Idol. My parents always encouraged my love for instruments growing up and writing and performing music was a way to share my own experiences and connect with the people around me. When the pandemic hit, I spent a lot more time sharing my music on social media since it wasn’t possible to play in person. When my social media page drew the attention of an American Idol producer it suddenly became possible to connect with more people than I ever expected. I ended up going to LA to audition for the show, getting a golden ticket and performing in Hollywood. The experience was amazing and eye-opening. It taught me that the music industry could allow me to touch the lives of so many people, but not in the direct and personal way that I want.
At the end of the day, my heart is in medicine. Just like my mom. And just like the doctors who saved my sister’s life and were able to tell her a few years ago she was in remission. My love for film and music will always be a part of me and always be a part of how I connect with the world. What my experiences of exploring my passions have taught me is that my love for medicine and desire to use my hands and compassion to heal and support people is what fuels me to do my best every day.”
– Christian Beck, ’24