Music is freeing. That feeling, of getting lost in a song and forgetting your cares, has captured the interest of Wright City High School senior Jackson Mazella. Although the analytically minded student has greatly enjoyed learning about math, science and engineering, it’s the hours he spends on music that Mazella looks forward to most each day.

Mazella currently splits his time between college-level classes including AP calculus, general coursework, and two band classes where he plays the trombone. He’s also enrolled in the A+ scholarship program, which requires participants to help tutor younger students. For that, he tutors music students at Wright City Middle School.

Once the school day is done, Mazella still has plenty on his plate as he participants in track, cross country, Future Business Leaders of America, and the school scholar bowl team at different times of the year.

“What my parents taught me is to try everything. Especially when you’re young, try as much as you can to see what you like and what you don’t like, because that can be really formative for you,” Mazella commented.

The senior said his plan is to eventually seek a career in music performance or education after attending college.

Q: What class do you particularly enjoy?
“Jazz band. Playing music, as well as having fun with my friends there, is a different environment than any other class. It’s more relaxed, less set in what we do each day.”

Q: How do you feel when you play music?
“I feel free of the rest of the stuff in life and the world. You kind of escape that when you go in the band room and we start playing. ... You could be having a really bad day, but you walk in the band room and you start playing, and it can really change it around.”

Q: Why do you enjoy topics like science and engineering?
“With English, it can be like ‘Sometimes the rules are this way or that way,’ but with math and science it’s more strict. If you know the answer, that’s it.

Q: What teacher has been most influential for you?
“Definitely the band director, Bill Schaffer. I’m trying to be a music major. He helped give me that inspiration to want to do that with my life. I want to help kids the way that I was helped by him.”

Q: What’s the best advice you’ve been given, and what advice would you give to younger students?
“When something isn’t making sense to you, don’t give up and keep trying different ways to learn. Everybody learns in different ways and it sticks in their brain differently.
“Things can get pretty frustrating, especially when you’re trying to juggle a bunch of stuff. It’s ok to take a break, because sometimes you really need that mental health break.”

Q: What are your college plans?
“I got admitted to the music education program at Baldwin Wallace University in Berea, Ohio. ... They have a conservatory of music, which is more specialized and you get more intense practice and training.

Favorite food: Teriyaki chicken
Favorite movie: “Rocky”
Favorite music: Alt-rock
Favorite destination: Yellowstone National Park