This city girl is the only voice teacher from our country who will be a part of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, USA
Sandra Oberoi
Sandra Oberoi, a city-based music educator and singer is not just a pretty face. The founder of Harmony Music School, the young lady is the only voice teacher from India to be selected as a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, USA — a non-profit organisation dedicated to singing. It was five years ago that Oberoi started Cadence, Harmony’s annual musical extravaganza with an aim to promote music with a purpose. Now in it’s fifth edition with this year’s theme being movie soundtracks, she is thrilled about the show scheduled for this weekend, though time is something that she wishes she had more of. Also participating in the event are other choirs from the city including Ebenezer International School, Bethany High and Shona D Academy of Dance, all for the cause of helping underprivileged kids.
“This year, all proceeds from the show will go towards EDUCATE (Empowering Deserving Children Actively Through Education) — a scholarship initiative for underprivileged children. My students have worked extremely hard to raise funds for them every Saturday to the run up to the main event, by selling baked goodies, handcrafted products and potted plants,” says Oberoi, who after a masters in Music Education from Northwestern University, USA, returned to India to set up her own school. “It’s a joy to work with young kids and teach them something that brings so much joy,” she shares.
Indira Mahadevan, who runs the choir at Ebenezer International School is also quite excited about the event in which her students will be participating. A music teacher for over 20 years, Mahadevan moved to Bengaluru from Mumbai and has also taught at Bethany High. “I started teaching music at 18 and I am 62 now. It never gets old and always keeps you excited. We’re looking forward to the Cadence concert and I hope concerts like this help in fostering a renewed love for music and an urge to help the less fortunate,” says Mahadevan.
Incidentally Bethany High, led by Swaroop Oommen will also be part of the event. A product of Madras Christian College, Chennai, Oommen has been at the helm of the school choir since May last year, but is not new to the field. “I used to be a vocal trainer in Chennai before I moved to Bengaluru last year. My family is always singing.. in the car, at the dinner table and everywhere.. that’s how I got into music. Acapella is something I really like. It’s great to be able to put voices together and create something beautiful,” he shares.
Shona D’Sa of Shona D Academy of Dance will be showcasing the talents of her group of ballet dancers to infuse some movement to the event. Naming Anna Pavlova as her biggest inspiration, D’Sa shares that she took to ballet when she was very little. “I was always so fascinated with the dance form and would watch video tapes and try to repeat it at home. Ballet wasn’t as popular back then as it is now, says D’Sa. To be held at St John’s Auditorium on November 28 and 29, Oberoi hopes that the show will help make a difference to a few lives.
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( Source : deccan chronicle )
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