I’ve never heard anything like Reena Esmail’s Meri Sakhi Ki Avaaz (My Sister’s Voice). A classical music concerto written for a Western classical singer and a Hindustani vocalist, the piece blends the two cultures while embracing the beauty of their differences. It opens with a modern interpretation of the famous Flower Duet. The vocalists sing together in a conversation of different languages. The Western voice is sweet and delicate; however, the Hindustani voice adds another dimension—one more bold and longing—a totally different palette of colors. Whereas the Flower Duet unites the cultures, other movements of My Sister’s Voice highlight the differences between Western and Hindustani singing. For example, the slower movement mainly features the Hindustani singer, reflecting how cultures can create space for other cultures to shine at times. A lyrical and ethereal work, My Sister’s Voice embodies the value of exploring music beyond the typical Western canon. I now have a deeper appreciation for listening to and performing music written by non-Western composers.

At my first recital, my five year old self vaulted onto the piano bench like it was a jungle gym. While practicing, like I did on the playground, I shouted out the beats as I played Mickey Mouse duets with my dad. At six, I commandeered my mother’s college flute, which I still play. Playing this instrument was as chaotic as the piano, as I danced and lept, following the sway of the music. As I did in my beginnings, I consider music an adventure. Not until I joined orchestra; however, did I understand what made music so intriguing. In high school orchestra, I met brilliant musicians who captivated me with their work ethic and artistry, and inspired my practice to become more meaningful. Outside of music, we bonded, having animated conversations about our life and career goals. I learned to be vulnerable: with no feelings of competition, we confided in each other. I got to know teenagers who were also obsessed with Rachmaninoff’s passionate concertos and who introduced me to underrepresented composers like Valerie Coleman. My "classical music" Spotify playlist has now grown to more than 60 hours of my friends' and I favorite pieces. And with these teenagers, I formed lasting friendships, present in the shared smiles after playing a beautiful climax, collaborative playlists made of our favorite pieces, and photo albums of our post-concert group photos. Orchestra taught me that I love music because of its ability to draw people together, forging connections beyond words, and its ability to form a strong sense of community. A community which ignites passion with passion, and a community that grows into initiatives like the Do Re Mi Project, a nonprofit I founded which provides free music lessons to kids around the world. Through playing in orchestra and watching the impact of the Do Re Mi Project, I’ve learned that music and community are powerful things. And by studying organizational management and flute performance in college, I hope to further understand their potential.

From vaulting onto the piano bench during my elementary school recital to performing at Carnegie Hall on the flute, I have always carried music through my life. However, while performing has been rewarding, I find far more fulfillment and would like to be remembered for sharing my passion for music with others. I serve as founder and CEO of the Do Re Mi Project (doremiproject.org), an international nonprofit which strives to make music education more accessible by connecting high school volunteers with elementary/middle school students. I’m involved in several groups that perform at nursing homes and schools, but due to our busy schedules, we often couldn’t coordinate performance times or transportation. So, in January 2020, I came up with Do Re Mi as a way to help the community which eliminates the need for transportation and allows for flexibility. Since then, we’ve grown to more than 1,000 members and provided more than 10,000 free online music lessons and $4,000 in musical scholarships to kids from 37 states and 10 countries! Through our free masterclass program, we’ve invited professional musicians from Broadway, the Berlin Philharmonic, the National Symphony Orchestra, and more top orchestras to teach our volunteers. We have also been featured on NPR’s “From the Top,” the Baltimore Sun, the Capital Gazette, the US Army Band’s Broadcast, and the World Journal. Serving the community through Do Re Mi has been a magical experience. What makes Do Re Mi so special to me are the recitals where our students proudly perform for their first time, the masterclasses where our volunteers become inspired to pursue music education, and the meaningful connections that form between our participants. It’s the diverse community we’ve built and the sense of togetherness that continues to persist, even throughout the COVID pandemic. I want Do Re Mi’s impact to be remembered so youth around the world can understand that music and community are very powerful things. Music naturally draws people together and forges connections beyond words. When we share the ability to make music with others, we can impact them for the rest of their lives. A story that embodies this inspirational energy centers around my first flute student. While I was helping her with sound production, she eventually figured out how to play a note. Within seconds, she jumped out of her chair and screamed, “oh my gosh!” The priceless look on her face, my sense of immediate fulfillment, and the email from her gushing mother afterwards: these magical moments are what drive me. They are the memories I’d like to be remembered for helping create. Through devoting myself to serving Do Re Mi, I’ve learned that my dream career bridges orchestral performance and orchestral administration. After conversing with professional musicians, I’ve learned when administration doesn’t have a musical background, business is sometimes prioritized over artistry, leading to canceled concerts and orchestra size reductions. To become a leader in the field of music, I dream of attaining both an academic and musical education in college. At Harvard, I will attain an organizational and entrepreneurial education, and I also hope to participate in the dual-degree program with New England Conservatory to attain a world-class music education. The Do Re Mi Project and music have inspired me to become a future leader in music, and the Marcarelli scholarship will help fund my education and allow me to pursue my dream.