Graduating Seniors Share How Music Transformed Their Lives—and What Comes Next

Safin Pallapati

Music is a form of relaxation and enjoyment for me. It brings possibilities of learning songs from my favorite shows and gives me a sense of peace that I can control what I work towards. My favorite experience would be from the times I'd laugh with my friends during group lessons and listening to each other play our pieces. It tells me that even though we are trying to improve our techniques, we're all here to have fun and enjoy each other's company. Since I was six years old, the Academy taught me to see things through until they're completed. Even though it takes me a while to get certain pieces, the Academy instilled this perseverance in me that I'll carry on into my future. I'll be graduating from Middleton High School and will be attending the University of Florida majoring in Computer Engineering.

 

Maximillian Fair

From playing my first notes on the piano at age 8, to stepping away from it when I was 12, to picking it back up again a few days after my 16th birthday, my musical journey has been rather interesting. I was always one of those kids who loved sports. Growing up, there was never a time when I was not involved in a sport. Whether it was soccer, basketball, football, or tennis, I was always running around chasing some sort of ball. When I was younger, I believed that piano and music were simply not for me. However, I remember the day when I first interviewed with Dr. Jain before joining the academy. During that interview, she asked me directly if I truly wanted to play the piano. At the time, I slowly shook my head and said that I didn't really want to, but as I have grown older, my passion for music has deepened far beyond what I ever imagined it would all those years back. When I first came to the academy two years ago, Yankee Doodle and the Happy Birthday song were my starting place. In contrast, today, I am playing pieces from classical masters such as Chopin and Bach. My favorite times at NTPPA have come from group classes. From messing up half of my piece to playing it perfectly, I never knew what to expect heading into those classes. However, one thing I always did expect was to learn. I always knew that no matter how I played, I would learn something from that experience and from those around me. In addition, my time at NTPPA has greatly shaped my future aspirations. Under the guidance of old and new instructors alike, I have been able to find my way and realize how music is something that I would like to pursue not just in high school but beyond as well. Ultimately, the academy has shaped who I am today and helped me grow in many ways. This in turn has driven me to want to enter into the music industry for my future career (not as a performer though haha). As for now, I will be graduating from Florida Virtual School and will be attending Florida State University to study business management.

 

Ananda Ravinder

Music has always been an important part in my life, a way to express emotion, challenge myself, and grow. I began piano lessons at the age of five and have been shaped by the journey ever since. Though I stepped away from it for a time during my early teens, returning to piano helped me rediscover not only my love for music but also my ability to persevere and improve through dedication. My time at NTPPA has been especially meaningful—one highlight was performing my first Chopin piece, closing my recital, where I felt more connected to the music and confident in my progress than ever before. The discipline and focus I developed through years of practice and performance have carried over into my academic life as well. As I graduate from Wharton High School and prepare to attend the University of South Florida to major in AI & Business Analytics, I know the habits and mindset I’ve gained through music will continue to help me.

 

Khanh Pham

Music has been a hobby that I have come to enjoy with the skills that have come from performing more diverse pieces over the years that required both a more developed musical taste and a physical aspect that I did not think would be needed. A funny performance story I still remember is at one of the recitals where I skipped the development and went straight to the end, cutting a 40 second song in half. The rough experiences have led me to not worry as much in performance, as it cannot be as bad as that one day so many years ago. I started piano when I was 10, and my time here at the academy studying music taught me various interpretations of music but also work and experiences in general. I will be graduating from the IB Program at King High School and will be studying computer science at the University of Florida.

 

Netra Vijay

I started taking piano lessons when I was 5 and joined the academy a few years later. Music has always been a source of relaxation and enjoyment for me. Throughout my piano journey, I've explored various styles of music while overcoming challenges and staying dedicated to my passion for music. At NTPPA, I not only improved as a pianist but also was able to help out in beginner group classes to influence the musical journey of others. This experience taught me the value of perseverance and to enjoy what I love, even when it requires a lot of hard work and commitment. I will be graduating from Strawberry Crest High School this month and hope to continue this mindset at the University of Florida, where I will be studying biomedical engineering.

 

Daniel Cheng

Music has always been a powerful outlet for me—a way to express myself and be creative. I've learned that music is a universal language, and I love how it brings people together across cultures. I also enjoy the challenge of mastering difficult techniques and pieces as it requires focus and problem-solving. I began playing the piano when I was five, participating in Tallahassee MTA recitals and levels until I moved to Wesley Chapel at 14 years old. Since then, I've continued with RCM levels and NTPPA’s biannual recitals, where my musical journey has continued to deepen. One of my favorite memories at the Academy was practicing rhythm in group class using Solo cups—it was fun and chaotic at times, but we laughed, messed up, and improved together. My time at the Academy has strengthened my discipline, patience, and perseverance, qualities I’ll carry with me as I graduate from Wiregrass Ranch High School and begin studying Computer Science at the University of Florida.