My Introductory Post

--- *About Me* --- My name is Santiago Aighobahi Osahon, Santi for short. I am the 3rd of the 8 children of my parents. I am from Nigeria in Benin City, Edo State but I live in Ibadan, Oyo state. I am 11 years old in the JSS3 class. The name of my school is Everest school. My hobbies are music and creativity at large. This is the reason I have decided to join the hive system. In the future, I would like to study a science although many thoughts are piling up in my mind.  --- *My Musical Journey* --- I was informally introduced to music by following my brothers to church who were learning how to play the violin from the then Brother Franklin Onovughakpor (@onos-f) who is now a Catholic Priest. Back then I would pick up Brother's phone and begin to play video games while still trying to understand what was going on. I also learned the basics of how to play the keyboard when I was 3 years old in the nursery class of my primary school (Orkids school). I later began to play the recorder in an orchestra when I was 6-7 years old while still learning from Brother Franklin and this made me learn to be able to read and hear music.  --- *Learning Various Instruments* --- My elder brothers later dropped music for some time due to their studies and other complications but I continued and got conversant with the topic of music. By that time I could already play the recorder well (7 years old). When I was 8 years old, I got introduced to the side flute by Brother Franklin who taught me the key things I needed to know. I didn't just start immediately, He firstly gave me a hint on how to blow the flute by making a sound out of a bottle which I practiced for some weeks before advancing to the side flute.  --- *Mentorship and Encouragement* --- I would always run to Church with all my strength to go and learn from Brother Franklin and occasionally my brothers followed. Brother Franklin used to play the recorder and side flute in Church and I also took that as an encouragement to continue learning. Brother Franklin later got ordained as a priest and I was alone in music. But I was encouraged by a Music teacher (Mr. Joshua Odunsi) who was both my music teacher in school and was in charge of the orchestra which went for many presentations in event centres around Ibadan.  --- *My Brothers' Return to Music* --- My brothers who had already become experts on the violin from a young age who lost interest in music turned back and adopted music again now not as good as before but I believe that it is still in them and that they are not too far from reattaining their former skill. One of them now plays the clarinet and the other plays the violin (Maximilian and Domingo respectively).  --- *Personal Growth and Achievements* --- I then continued to work on myself to become the best at what I do. Due to my rapid growth, I was invited severally to play with the choir in my Church but I always refused with the belief that I was not good enough. I continued to teach myself for about a year and I played many songs with Brother Franklin and we also did videos together which introduced me to the Hive platform. --- *Recent Developments* --- On the day before the ordination of Reverend Franklin he received his box which had his guo flute and my flute port which was bought for me by a kind lady from the United Kingdom (the UK). After ordination, he was posted to another place. I later agreed to play with the choir in my Church on New Year's day 2025. I rapidly increased from that time to the point that the Rector of our community begged Father Franklin to come and be teaching the kids in my Church music. --- *The Professional Flute and Hive System* --- The first time he came he was so shocked at the massive growth I had in my playing of the flute. The next time, He gave me a fife and the third time, he came with a new professional flute given to me by Alan and Paulina who I continue to pray for and thank every day. He was the one who introduced me to the Hive system and advised that I join.  --- *Family Support* --- My parents and family were also a major factor that led to this advancement. They had always advised and supported me by buying my first flute for me which boosted my confidence, they were never against me as they even sacrificed a lot not sure if I was going to be a good musician one day and I can now proudly tell them that their sacrifices were not in vain.  --- *Complimentary Close* --- I hope I would not regret this huge advancement and I pray that you will help and pray for me every day. I wish to appreciate everyone who finds joy in grooming young ones especially @onos-f and everyone who has sacrificed in one way or the other making my positive growth a reality. See you again soon in my next post.