My name is Clara Degenholtz and I’m a 13-year-old drummer from Chicago. I have been a concert band percussionist for 4 years and started playing on a drum set 2 years ago. Currently, I play in the School of Rock Andersonville House Band. Throughout countless shows with them, I’ve noticed there are many more male drummers than female drummers. So, I was very excited when I found this huge community of girls, women, and non-binary individuals playing the same instrument as me! I hope that through my drumming, and through the drumming of other drummers like us, there will be a day when young drummers can see a multitude of professional and successful musicians like them. I think that drumming has been hugely helpful not only to my growth as a musician but also in teaching me that sometimes it’s ok to be messy and it’s ok to be loud.

I chose Everlong by the Foo Fighters to cover for this competition because when I started playing the drums, I was unable to play it, and I felt as though this would be a good challenge and an interesting way to see how far I have come. I would also like to note that this was my first time ever recording my drumming and that it was a great learning experience!