For most people, music might seem an unlikely means of gaining major political connections.
But for sophomore Ben Adams, a talent in piano-playing allowed him to schmooze with the residents of the Governor's Mansion in Raleigh-and ultimately turned into an appointment to a state-level policy-planning committee.
A native of Smithfield, N.C., a small town 60 miles east of Durham, Adams said he has been playing music for as long as he can remember.
"When I was little, like three or four, my sisters would come home from piano lessons and practice their songs, and after they finished, I would sit up on the bench behind them and pick out on the keys the song they had just played," he wrote in an e-mail.
His manifest talent in music grew into a cultivated interest, resulting in music lessons and two years' studying at the Raleigh Conservatory of Music.
Around Christmas 2000, Adams' name was given to the director of tours and event planning at the Governor's Mansion. During the holiday season, he was invited to play for social events at the governor's estate.
The following year, Adams received a call inviting him back to the mansion for another event. This time, he caught the attention of First Lady Mary Easley, who asked him to become one of the family's private performers. In this role, Adams has played for receptions, pre-dinner cocktails and private dinners.
"Ben Adams is a talented young musician," Executive Mansion Tour Coordinator Pat Brock said. "Whether he's playing classical, jazz or popular music, Ben has added a lot to any event we've had."
Adams said he enjoys all the events for which he plays, but he especially likes those where the guests get involved. He described one event during which a crowd of mostly 60- to 70-year-old guests began a sing-along to his piano playing.
"I normally don't sing when I play, but there's been a few occasions when I've been tipped in drinks, and after a few glasses of courage I've been known to sing a song or two," Adams said.
Adams' interests, however, do not end with music. A double major in public policy studies and political science, Adams became involved in juvenile justice when his high school principal approached him for a discussion about violence in his high school. In 2004, the same principal followed up their conversation by proposing that Adams apply for the youth spot on the Juvenile Justice Planning Committee. The state-level board distributes funding-totalling between $1 and $2 million-to different organizations targeting the needs of at-risk youth, Adams said.
"I accepted the nomination and went through a screening process with several of the staff members at the Governor's Crime Commission," Adams said. "The application and screening process went well, and the committee approved my nomination."
When it came time for Governor Mike Easley to review the nominations, Adams' previous musical relationship with the governor proved a benefit.
"Since the governor recognized the name from the piano work, Governor Easley appointed me to the three-year appointment in June of 2004," Adams explained.
Adams said his work on the committee has been very rewarding.
"Each meeting we have members from one of the programs that we fund come in and give a report on their program," he said. "The people that I've met in these experiences are some of the most inspiring people I've ever met."
Currently, Adams is in the process of applying for the National Coalition for Juvenile Justice, an organization similar to JJPC but on a federal level.
Although Adams is unsure about his future career, he said there is one thing of which he is certain. "I have no doubt that my music will be part of my life when I grow up," he said. "The problem is the whole 'growing up' part."
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.