Hi my name is Katie Hong, I’m 11 years old and I have been playing drums since I was 5. I like how every drum and each cymbal has its own sound. And I really like how drums make songs sound so much better. Without drums, even the loudest, fastest songs would sound kinda boring. I love it when I’m in the zone playing in the pocket because I’m not thinking but my body is playing everything right. It’s an awesome feeling. There’s nothing better.

Playing drums means everything to me. I play when I’m sad and it makes me feel better. I play when I’m happy and it makes me feel even happier. And I play when I’m bored and I don’t feel bored anymore. I don’t know what I would do without drums.

I feel super lucky to take lessons from Kenny Elliott at Neighborhood Music School in Arcadia. Kenny’s played for some all-time greats like Aretha Franklin and Natalie Cole, and right now he’s in Europe touring with actor/jazz musician Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra.

Thanks for watching my entry and thank you Hit Like a Girl for hosting this competition!