For the United States, the global coronavirus pandemic became shockingly real one year ago this week. Events around the country had already been canceled, but months-long shutdowns were on the way, and no one knew how long they would last. For the next year, we would get a glimpse of the best and the worst of humanity.

We are approaching the one-year mark. We're beginning to see some hope that the end is near. Mass vaccinations have begun. I'm not embarrassed to say that I was a little emotional when I received my first shot. As a performing artist and music educator, I have missed performing both with my colleagues and my students.

I'm ready for COVID-19 to be added to the list of diseases we have defeated.