Hear from Ryder Boles winner of the 2025 Frank J. Farina Award for Musical Excellence. “192. My mother kept tallies dating back to 2007 in a tattered notebook. At 8, I had been admitted to my second home 192 times, but this visit felt different. Instead of the routine IV drip, a new medicine stood outside my room. Over the balcony, I waited for a microphone. I waddled across the hall at rambunctious speed, IV pole dragging behind, and into the elevator to do what I loved most: sing. The hospital staff knew me as a “frequent flier,” the kid diagnosed with chronic migraines at 15 months, now at just 8, also with a heart condition. Between making up schoolwork in a teddy bear gown, I prepared to sing Lauryn Hill a floor below.
Grabbing the mic with Elvis-like confidence, I sang with the soul of Otis Redding and the passion of Jeff Buckley. At that moment, I unlocked my true potential. The tallies continued growing, but I practiced whenever I wasn’t cooped up, singing in the shower, car, or dinner table. In elementary and middle school, talent shows helped me develop stage presence and confidence. My dedication deepened. I trained with private coaches and took a leap of faith, auditioning for a performing arts school. At 12, I traveled two hours each way daily to pursue my dream. In 7th grade, I became the youngest male featured in the school’s House of Pop show.
The morning of my first show, I lay near bedridden with another migraine. But I persevered, arriving hours before showtime and earning a standing ovation that night. Since then, I’ve led musicals headlined charity events, and placed first in the National Association of Teachers of Singing competition, On the Mic. These aren’t just achievements; they’re testaments to resilience. Recognition never mattered. Overcoming adversity did. Living with a chronic illness has taught me diligence, focus, and perseverance. A school transfer during sophomore year and endless hospital visits never stopped me.
The tallies never stopped growing, but neither did my drive. 192 at 8 years old has grown to 409. But I won’t stop. I always knew, in sickness and in health, I’d pursue music. I am married to my passion. Whether singing to one person or a thousand, those tallies no longer mark my struggles; they measure my unwavering determination to grow as an artist and individual. Now, as a senior, one chapter of my life is closing, and a new one begins as I take my talents to Berklee College of Music. Attending a summer camp at this prestigious conservatory showed me that those who want it will strive for it. Every Berklee student and alumnus I’ve met told me, “Berklee is what you make of it.” I plan to make the most of my next four years, performing at every opportunity, forming meaningful connections with like-minded musicians, and paving the way for something greater than music itself. Music has been my saving grace and purpose, and I will continue to share it with anyone who lends an ear because that is what I was meant to do.