Music has been an integral part of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up living very close to my grandparents who love to sing, and it just so happens that they also own a piano. Naturally, I developed a keen interest in the instrument. So, when my mother was taking my older brother to piano lessons, I insisted on tagging along. Soon after that, I discovered the violin when a friend from the elementary school performed it at a school event. That’s when I started taking violin lessons, and it was also when I discovered the viola.
Music has been an integral part of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up living very close to my grandparents who love to sing, and it just so happens that they also own a piano. Naturally, I developed a keen interest in the instrument. So, when my mother was taking my older brother to piano lessons, I insisted on tagging along. Soon after that, I discovered the violin when a friend from the elementary school performed it at a school event. That’s when I started taking violin lessons, and it was also when I discovered the viola.
Deciding to pursue music more seriously, I moved to the States at the age of 13 to attend Walnut Hill School for the Arts. Through the school, my love for music grew alongside a strong appreciation for various art forms. To further my studies, I attended New England Conservatory where I received my Bachelor's and Master’s degrees. It was an incredible place filled with talented friends and inspiring mentors who always pushed me to become a better musician. During that period, I had the privilege of attending numerous music festivals, including the Aspen Music Festival, where I was fortunate to receive a full scholarship. It was at Aspen that I really fell in love with orchestral music and became determined to pursue it as a profession.
Throughout the years and when the pandemic happened, I became deeply committed to the idea of using music as a means to connect people and make a positive impact in communities. I have performed in
Music for Food – founded by violist Kim Kashkashian, a musician-led initiative in fighting hunger throughout the United States. I also participated in Manchester Camerata’s
Music in Mind project designed for people living with dementia, where I participated in sessions and connected with people living with dementia through music and playing alongside them. By actively participating in music outreach projects, I wanted to bring people together and create a sense of understanding among different audiences. Seeing how music deeply affected individuals and communities really confirmed my belief in its crucial role in our everyday lives.
EDUCATION
Guildhall School of Music & Drama
London, UK
New England Conservatory
Boston, USA
QUICKFIRE QUESTIONS
What is your favourite piece of music and why do you love it?
With so much good music out there, it can be tough to pick a favourite. Right now, I’m really enjoying the second movement of Beethoven’s 5th Symphony. I have played this one quite a bit because it’s a standard orchestral excerpt for the viola. What I love about the second movement is the warm opening theme played by the viola and cello section which always gives me comfort when I listen to it.
If you weren’t a musician, what would you be?
If I weren't a musician, I would probably be a nurse. Spending time at my father's clinic as a child made me appreciate the connections nurses form with their patients. It resonates with my personality and brings me a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction in supporting others, much like being a musician does through bringing encouragement, comfort, and hope through non-verbal language.
