When I graduated from college with an engineering degree (my father was aghast and suggested I become a secretary for a “real” engineer), I fell into a depression, bored to death, ignored or ridiculed by the men and certain I had chosen the wrong profession.

I travelled to Nepal ignorantly confident that I would quickly be able to expedite the maddening and illogical movement of the government. Instead, my narrow Western thinking of how the world works was shockingly, indelibly altered.

It wasn’t until my mid-twenties, well into my engineering career, that I realized that I could probably learn to play something beyond “Maple Leaf Rag” on the piano. Inspired, I took up the trumpet and joined The Roseville Community Band (no auditions required).