Escaping into his own world when he picks up one of the many instruments that he taught himself to play, sophomore Chris Lomeli has been playing the guitar, mandolin and ukulele for two years.

Even though music has always been in his life, Lomeli didn’t really get into it until he began playing and writing.

“I have always liked music, but I didn’t start loving it until I started to make it,” Lomeli said.

Recently he has begun to write music, mostly in the folk genre.

“I wanted to learn faster and more advanced skills, so I started to teach myself,” Lomeli said. “That was the best decision I have ever made.”

Having an open mind and listening to new music inspired Lomeli and helped him grow a new issue.

“I started to listen to Mumford and Sons and I developed a love for them,” Lomeli said. “Not only do all of the acoustic instruments they play have such a natural sound, the lyrics contain different messages that each person listening to can process it differently and that’s how I want it to be my music to be to my listeners.”

The determination that Lomeli feels towards creating his music is driven and passionate.

“Chris is absolutely one of my most talented and determined students,” music theory teacher Caitlin Gasco said. “When I see Chris rehearsing I can just tell how much passion he has towards making sure that he is playing and creating the best music that he possibly can.”

The first sounds that really stuck to him were the acoustic folk instruments.

“I have always thought the best instruments are acoustic, because you don’t need to plug it in you could just take them out and play them wherever you go,” Lomeli said.

How naturally the music sounds is what drew Lomeli in.

“I loved the natural sound of the banjo, the mandolin, and the ukulele,” Lomeli said.

Although rehearsing a competition piece of music can be stressful, all of those feelings reverse for Lomeli.

“I would try to focus so hard on my music that I would catch myself focusing on how to focus, Lomeli said. “I would get so frustrated because I would practice for four hours a day and I still felt that it wasn’t good enough.

Lomeli decided to combine his musical talent with his friends and created a band.

“Everyone that is in the band had different personalities and we approach situations differently, but music creates a bond for us,” Lomeli said. “It’s stronger than anything.”

Not only is singing and songwriting a hobby and a strong passion for Lomeli, it is a moment of relief from the piles of stress that he carries.

“When I pick up my guitar or my ukulele I forget about all my stress and my problems,” Lomeli said. “It creates a peaceful atmosphere for me when I play and right when I set down my instrument I come back to reality.”

Lomeli’s advice towards people who are wanting to get into music is to keep working and practicing.

“Music is what you make out of it,” Lomeli said.

While listening to music for inspiration, he finds whatever the song’s mood is will affect him and his own writing.

“Music makes me feel however the musician feels,” Lomeli said.