Empowerly

Student profile

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. 

The sun’s heat felt like it was burning my skin off as I was walking down the street in Calicut, a city in south India. I was there to meet my teacher, who had been teaching me Indian classical (Carnatic) music since I was 13. Carnatic music is unique to south India and the main emphasis is on vocal music. The ragas (collection of notes) in Carnatic music really test the range of one’s vocal abilities. I have been singing since I was 3, and have even gotten the chance to record many pop cover songs in a recording studio, but to learn the structured form of Carnatic music was the next step for me.

Carnatic music involves a lot of rhythmic and tonal complexity and has helped me advance in my vocal music journey. I took lessons over several years from my teacher through Skype, but was excited to meet him in person, so the anticipation was in the air. I was blown away by the strength and beauty in his voice, even at the age of 75 years.

Music has allowed me to connect with my Indian heritage and culture and I cannot imagine my life without the lessons that my experiences with music have taught me.

I consider music to be its own language because, in my life, it allows me to connect with people from different backgrounds than me. It especially helps me connect with my grandparents and other family members. My grandparents do not speak English very well, while I do not speak much of their language, so I cannot communicate with them to the extent that I would like to, but one thing that we do share in common is our love for music. For example, whenever I sing Carnatic music for them, it is like they can understand my love for music and our culture. Also, whenever I perform on stage and see all the faces in the audience, I realize that they all have different stories, but they came together to express their love for music, thus connecting everyone on a deeper level.

Music has been with me since I was born and has helped me a lot especially in the past couple years with the stress from high school. At high school, I am part of Jazz Etc., an A cappella group that meets after school on certain days. I often feel excited on these days for the club and look forward to singing with my friends and doing what we love. To

me, this club is a break from an otherwise stressful day. Whenever I feel too stressed or pressured I turn to my piano and play classical music, which really relaxes me. Singing allows me to clear my head of all preoccupations, and it is just me and the music.

Music has also taught me life skills such as teamwork, in that, from singing in groups and choirs I have learned how to create harmonies in a way that sounds pleasant to the ear. Especially in Jazz Etc., teamwork is very important because it is just our voices that the audience hears, and to get to this harmony, you have to have to work together well with the group and have a good relationship with the other group members.

The experience of meeting in person my music teacher in India was very humbling. He has pushed me to be perfect in my renditions of the ragas (a collection of notes). He has taught me values such as perseverance, organization and the power of practice.

Music has been an integral part of my life so far, allowing me to connect to my culture and teaching me skills that I could not live without, and nothing can separate me from it. Hence, no matter what field I choose to pursue, I know that music will always be in my life.