Students stay in tune with their artistic expression through music

Singer-songwriter sophomore Mariam Kubursi began singing when she was three years old. She quickly found a passion for it and started writing her own lyrics during the early stages of the pandemic. On most occasions, the lyrics come randomly to Kubursi while washing the dishes or even in the middle of chemistry class. “When random lyrics pop into my head while I’m in class, I write them on my...

In middle school, senior Saman de Silva never thought of himself as an artist. Instead, de Silva identified more with his academic interests. That all changed when he discovered classical singing in the summer after eighth grade. Classical singing encompasses both art song and opera. De Silva explained the differences between the two subgenres. “Think of it as the difference between Dua Lipa and...

Before she starts playing the guzheng, junior Hannah Qiu closes her eyes to encompass herself in the mindset of the composer. For Qiu, playing the guzheng—a 21-stringed traditional Chinese instrument—isn’t solely about mastering the technique, but about connecting with her Chinese culture and understanding the story behind the mu- sic. Qiu believes that the tradition and stories make the...

Since she was young, playing and creating music have come naturally to senior Ankitha Raman. As her love for the art has grown, she has developed her skills and formed a new way of expressing her passion for music: writing her own songs. Thanks to her father, Raman’s love for playing instruments started early. “My dad is a big fan of music, and he plays guitar,” she said. “When I was...