By Kathy Garrido, Federal Way Chorale scholarship chairperson

Auburn High School senior Aali Kerow is the 2022 recipient of the Don Barrows Memorial Scholarship, awarded by the Federal Way Chorale.

The $2,000 scholarship is offered each year to a graduating high school senior who plans a college major in the vocal arts, musical theatre or music education.

Aali is graduating from Auburn High School this June, and will attend Central Washington University in the fall. He plans to pursue a teaching credential with the distinct possibility of becoming a music teacher.

Aali has been singing with family, church chorus, and school choirs for most of his life. His interest in vocal music is varied. He has participated in the Jazz and Symphonic Choirs at Auburn High School, as well as performing in many school musical theatre productions, the most recent of which was “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”

Music is an integral part of Aali’s life. He is grateful for the opportunity to express himself through music, using it to make connections with others and as a means to express personal thoughts and emotions.

To quote Aali: “Words can cut deep, but deep down, music is a direct route to the soul.”