Priya Nalliah

Grade: 11th

Instrument: Violin

Future college: University of Michigan at Ann Arbour  

Future Job: Neurologist

Years Playing: 6 years

Inspiration: My mom, she used to be a singer so I have grown up around music.

Wingspan: What made you choose the violin?

Nalliah: “I remember Mrs. Lindsey came from Fowler to show all the kids about orchestra. And I remember like, she would do a palm reading thing. And she was said, “Oh, your palms. You should play violin.” So I thought that was so cool. And I saw people playing the violin and they made it looks so easy. I wanted to try it out just to see how it goes and I ended up liking it.”

Wingspan: When did you learn of your interest in music?

Nalliah: “I just love music. My mom said that I would move around when they played music before I was born. I’ve just I’ve always loved music and it has always been a part of my life. To be able to create music is such an amazing experience.”

Wingspan: When did you discover your talent? How has that changed you?

Nalliah: “So I started like piano lessons in fifth grade. And I realized that I have, I have a natural rhythm and I am passionate about my music. And I think at that point, I realized that I can nurture this, this ability to something more.”

Wingspan: How do you prepare for a concert?

Nalliah: “So usually the week before the concert I practice a lot at home and we practice a lot in class too. Ms. Lien does a good job of preparing all of us before concert and like getting our nerves down. And just relaxing, that’s the best way to stay prepared.”

Wingspan: How do you handle mistakes during a performance?

Nalliah: “Mistakes are always going to happen but it’s important that you move on. I just get over it really fast. I’m like, okay, I messed up and I will have to fix it for next time.”

Wingspan: Are you considering this as a career?

Nalliah: “No, I want to continue to keep music as a hobby. It helps me relax so I don’t want to make a career out of it.”

Wingspan: What’s been your favorite memory in orchestra?

Nalliah: “I think my favorite memory was in sixth grade. We went to Sandy Lake and we were in sixth grade so this was when we all first joined orchestra, we were all new and just performing as an orchestra together in a new location and then having fun with your friends.”

Wingspan: How do you balance orchestra and extracurriculars?

Nalliah: “So orchestra doesn’t really interrupt any of my extracurriculars that much. I don’t have a lot of music or art related extracurriculars. I have a lot of like speech related ones like debate related and  those kind of extracurricular. I think I use this as a mode relaxation and I don’t attach a lot of stress to orchestra.”