Senior Samantha Boggs writes lyrics whenever inspiration strikes. If she feels happy, she writes upbeat music to convey her cheery disposition to listeners. When she is upset, Boggs composes slower pieces to emphasize the sorrow she may be feeling. She finds it easier to express her emotions through song.  For Christmas, Boggs penned a song for her boyfriend titled “Adore.” It features various instruments and concludes with a rap.  She enjoyed recording the song because of its mixed composition; in addition, “Adore” was a unique and sentimental present that captured her feelings for him.

Boggs attends the Cuyahoga Valley Vocational Center (CVCC) and studies Media Technology. She enjoys writing music and plans to pursue a career in music with a Recording Arts and Technology major.  For the past four years, Boggs has attended Rock Camp in Sweetwater, Indiana, every summer. In addition, she recently performed in Cleveland at Wilbert’s Bar and Grill with some of her CVCC classmates. Her education and musical endeavors allow her to gain experience for her future schooling.

Participating in Rock Camp during the summer helped her to gain confidence performing for crowds. At the end of camp, they perform their creations. Boggs defined the events that transpired at camp.

“In the camp, you are assigned a band, and you record two songs. In the end, you perform for an audience. I have the best memories from Rock Camp and it really made me realize how awesome music really is,” Boggs said.

Boggs’s love for music and singing developed at a young age. She enjoyed performing for her family as a child and still does. Her first official musical attempt was playing the flute in fifth grade. After deciding the flute was not for her, Boggs started piano lessons which sparked her passion for singing, and she also took guitar lessons.  Jill Boggs, Bogg’s mother, recalls her daughter’s childhood and interest in music.

“Sam was always animated as a child, putting on plays [and] imitating people. She always enjoyed singing. She started really getting into it by the sixth grade,” Jill said.

Boggs’s parents have helped her to pursue making music by purchasing the equipment needed to record songs and encouraging her to perform. Boggs’s parents had her practice and perform with their friends who are guitar players and helped her to decide to attend CVCC for Media Technology. This program centers on video, audio, photography, animation, motion graphics and visual effects. Boggs uses software to create her pop music, so the proper knowledge of these different technologies is necessary. Boggs explained how she records her music.

“I record and write all of my songs. I use the software Pro Tools 11. I use MIDI recording. MIDI is using a keyboard to record and then changing it to different instruments.  That’s how I get guitar, drums [and] bass in my songs,” Boggs said.

Besides teaching Boggs the skills required to operate recording equipment, attending CVCC connected her with people who share similar interests. Sarah Bailey, a senior in the Media Technology program at CVCC, sings with Boggs frequently. They write and produce songs together and assist each other on their individual projects. Boggs and Bailey also participated in an apprenticeship together at the Tri-C campus. Bailey discussed the details of their apprenticeship and how it has impacted them.

“[Boggs] and I had an apprenticeship over the summer with Young Audiences Artworks and we worked in the Recording Arts Co-Op. We got to use the Tri-C metro campus recording studios to make our own music and work with others in the co-op for five days a week for six weeks…We met so many people, learned so much and had so much fun making all of the music,” Bailey said.

In February, Boggs and Bailey performed at Wilbert’s, a bar and grill in Cleveland with a few other CVCC classmates. Bailey described the preparation that occurred to get ready for their performance.

“In total, it took [Boggs] and me about two weeks to prepare. We decided to write a completely new song for the finale, and we had to practice and get the songs we already recorded ready for the performance. We also sang with Patrick Kanieski and Matt Omilanowski who are in our class at CVCC. They rapped in the show and [Boggs], and I featured in their performance,” Bailey said.

The last minute song change did not phase Boggs or Bailey. They liked writing “The End,” their final song for the performance at Wilbert’s, because they had the challenge of incorporating the rappers with the beat and chord progression they wrote. Boggs expressed her thought on the venue and how she kept calm.

“Wilbert’s was fun because there were many different acts there. I don’t do too much to prepare for shows because if I do, I sike myself out. I just like to relax before shows,” Boggs said.

Boggs’s hopes to continue performing because it is her favorite part of making music.  After graduation, Boggs will attend Tri-C in the fall for the Recording Arts and Technology program. She is already familiar with the campus since she had an apprenticeship there. She hopes to transition from pop music into rock music. Boggs posts her music to her YouTube channel.