Brinkley-Lane Profile: Makakoa McGee
Makakoa McGee felt community when he stepped into Fletcher Music Center on a visit to East Carolina University and found the lobby filled with students.
“I felt really comfortable there, and I wasn’t even a student,” McGee said. “I know I’ll practice a lot; it’s important that I’ll have connections within the music building so if I ever feel I need to calm down, there will be someone there to interact with.
“I think it’s really important to have that healthy relationship between practicing and having a social life, and balancing your education.”
McGee, 18 and the son of Joshua and Jamy McGee, is one of 20 incoming freshman who will be part of the Brinkley-Lane Scholars, the most prestigious undergraduate award program offered at ECU. The four-year merit scholarship recognizes outstanding academic performance, commitment to community engagement, and strong leadership skills. Recipients receive a fully funded education, covering the cost of tuition, fees, room and board for both in-state and out-of-state students, and unique high-impact experiences, as well as the ability to explore the world with a $5,000 study abroad stipend.
Scholars benefit from access to an array of leadership opportunities, research with award-winning faculty, and a robust alumni network.
As a scholar, McGee said he sees himself as both a leader and a listener.
“For me, it’s always a two-way street when it comes to learning and modeling for others,” he said. “I’m supposed to represent how to act and uphold standards, but I need to always be learning about who I am representing.”
Everything “fell into the right places,” when McGee started exploring ECU, after he applied right on deadline with encouragement from his mom.
“I was so fortunate I listened to my mom and applied,” McGee said. “I figured she has more experience. It’s just incredible that it turned out this way; I’m very happy about that.”
McGee is looking forward to a river cruise in Budapest this summer, a graduation trip with his family, including members from Hawaii.
After that, he plans to enjoy his time left at home before ECU Marching Pirates band camp starts. Music education majors spend two semesters with the Marching Pirates to get marching band field experience as part of the degree program.
As for other international travel, McGee hopes to study abroad in Germany or Japan — and hopefully both — in support of his love of music.
“Japan has Yamaha, and Germany has the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra,” he said. “It’s tied up over which one I think is cooler.”
McGee plays French horn and hopes to be a studio professor after college graduation. He’s already thinking ahead to advanced degrees and working as a paid musical professional.
In the meantime, he wants to balance academics with participating in musical ensembles. He hopes to get involved with local K-12 schools after student teaching with his middle school band.
“I enjoy teaching and helping kids get better,” he said. “That’s all a teacher can ask for at the end of the day.”
“I think it’s really important to have that healthy relationship between practicing and having a social life, and balancing your education.”
High school: Panther Creek High School
Intended major: Music education
Current City: Cary