Hey Everybody!

My name is Luke.  I am 20 years old, and I simultaneously play the drums, keyboard, and sing.  I am also learning guitar.  I am from Laurel, Maryland in the United States and play in a band with my brothers (our band name is Band of Brothers). 

As a band we want to make a difference in the world.  Anyone can make great music; we want to use it to reach people where they are and give them hope.  In our experiences we have encountered an incredible number of people who do not have hope, and we want to change that.  Our new website is up at www.mybandofbrothers.com if you would like to check it out.  Our first CD is now available as well.  We have some full songs on our site as well as right here on YOBI.tv.  Some newer songs I wrote recently are exclusively on my YOBI.tv profile, so feel free to check them out!

I grew up in a very musical family.  My dad had his own band called Soul Tattoo (later changed to Shadowlands), and they played regularly at many local venues.  My brothers (Daniel and Michael) and I would always help them set up and tear down their gigs.  The practices were always held at our house, and my brothers and I would stay up late listening to them play.  It was inspiring.  When I was five, I figured I had to learn to play an instrument, especially after Daniel decided to play guitar, so I decided to play the drums, since we had an electric drum set in our house.  I played drums with my middle school and high school youth group bands, and began to sing as well.  I picked up the piano the summer before sophomore year of high school, and began to compose my own music.  Music is the avenue through which I can let everything out and escape when I need to.  It is a huge part of who I am and I cannot imagine my life without it.  I have found that the songs that come from my experiences are able to help others who are going through the same things, and it helps them to know that someone understands.  This is a deep part of what music can do and it is a beautiful powerful strength of it.  I want to use it to bring people hope.

Academic wise, I am a junior at the University of Maryland Baltimore County on a PhD track for Mechanical Engineering.  Free time wise, I love making things, writing music, being with my family and friends, and making a difference in my community.  I am blessed to have been a part of this competition and am so thankful to all of you who voted this year!  Thanks for listening!

-Luke