For Morris Hills junior Vanessa Cabrera, music has been a lifelong passion – and recently, that passion brought her to the national stage, featured on CBS’s “60 Minutes”.

Her musical journey began back in fourth grade when she first picked up an instrument. From that moment on, she was rarely seen without one in hand. Vanessa credits her first band teacher, Mrs. Aron, for sparking her love for music, a love that has only deepened over the years.

“Mrs. Aron put a love in me for music that I don’t think anyone else could have,” Vanessa said. “After that, the passion and devotion only blossomed.”

Being featured on “60 Minutes” was a whirlwind experience for Vanessa. With only a week’s notice, she had little time to prepare, but that didn’t stop her from making the most of the opportunity.

“It was the most exhilarating experience I’ve ever been a part of,” she recalled. “Everything happened so fast, but meeting so many incredible people and seeing the support from across the nation was truly inspiring.”

The performance preparation itself was unlike anything Vanessa had experienced. She received the music just a day before traveling to Washington D.C., and had only a brief read-through before joining rehearsals.

With Maestro Rodney Dorsey leading the ensemble, Vanessa quickly rose to the challenge, sitting as the principal horn with only three rehearsals before the big performance. “It was extremely nerve-racking,” she admitted, “but Maestro Dorsey gave some amazing insights and really pulled us all together.”

Beyond the excitement and musical growth, the experience left a deep personal impact on Vanessa.

As a classical musician of Hispanic descent, she has sometimes felt isolated in her musical journey. “I often feel out of place in the average rehearsal,” she says. “I never see anyone like me doing what I do, and that can be discouraging.”

However, being part of a group where she felt seen and welcomed was transformative. “We all belong, and we all deserve to be in the positions that we are in,” she said during her appearance on the show. “This episode on 60 Minutes was a small step towards a massive goal.”