Congratulations and good luck to our graduating senior Venkat Tondapu! Venkat started learning violin from Shruti six years ago. He has shown steady improvement over the last years and in addition to our own recitals he was given the opportunity to accompany small children for All Composer’s Day at the Venkateswara temple and other programs. We hope that he has acquired a lifelong love of fine arts and that he takes this experience with him wherever he goes.
At our annual recital we asked him to prepare a short speech. This is what he said about his experience learning music.
Six years ago I began my classes at the Ragapriya School of Music. Little did I know that at that same time I was beginning one of the most important journeys of my life.
Prior to beginning my classes I had thought that music was nothing more than a combination of notes, background to the story that was occurring in the forefront. Soon, however, I discovered, or rather was shown, that music was the story its self. Emotion, Images, Words, all could be embodied by music. By playing it, I could speak without opening my mouth. By listening, I could see without opening my eyes.
Through these classes, I was able to not only gain knowledge, but also gained an appreciation and a love that many people have helped me fulfill thus far.
I would like to thank everyone here for their support over these years, my parents for providing me with the means to learn, and finally Shruti Auntie and the Ragapriya school of music for showing me the truth behind music and giving me the ability to truly appreciate something.
At the termination of this school year, I will find myself leaving home and going off to school. However, I am proud to say that I will not be leaving behind the appreciation and love for music I have developed. Thank You.
Venkat will be pursuing his medical degree at NEOMED after getting a BS at Youngstown State University. We are very proud of him and his accomplishments and wish him the very best in all his future endeavors.