As a toddler, I showed interest in music. So my mom asked around for a teacher who taught carnatic music that specifically included tamil songs. She came to know about Guru Sandhya aunty through another friend who’s cousin learnt from her. Soon after, I had to sing Hamsadhwani Varnam for Sandhya aunty over the phone and I was able to follow her instructions and understand very clearly. She then brought me into her 11am Sunday carnatic music class. In that class in March 2020, I got to meet everyone online for the first time and I was so happy. Although there was no in-person class at that time, it was not a limiting factor in making new friends and they all seemed very nice, including Sandhya aunty. 
During COVID I had my first annual day and I got to sing with the Sunday 11am class at a classmate’s house. We were singing Sri Nathadi Guruguho. That was the first song I sang with that group and it was based on Lord Muruga. Sandhya Aunty was very glad I got to participate in Annual Day within a few days of joining Samskritasangitam School. In September 2020, I met Sandhya aunty in-person for the first time.  Later, in 2022, I was fortunate enough to have my first in-person performance with the Friday 5 pm batch at Shirdi Sai Dham Temple in Monmouth Junction. I was delighted to see everyone at the in-person practice sessions after a long time. 2023 was a remarkable year. I participated in 4 performances. Two of them were at Sri Krishna Vrundavana Temple and Sri Umiya Dham in Edison. Later, came the Sri Bhadrachala Ramadasu and Sri Annamacharya performances in Sri Ranganatha Temple in Pomona, NY. Although it was tough to participate in some of the practice sessions due to distance, I still persisted and continued because of my interest in music and Sandhya aunty’s encouragement.
Practicing constantly and attending summer camps helped me become more confident in my singing and helped me refine gamakas and add improvisations (kalpana swarams, korvai, etc) to make the song a pleasure to hear. I also participated in Sri Sanjay Subramanyam’s Thamizhum Naanum Competition. Sandhya aunty gave me excellent and timely advice on techniques such as singing with an open throat and changing to a more comfortable shruti when G was too high for me. Through all these events, I was able to maintain a great voice and improve my skills. 
   Now that I graduated from high school, I plan on continuing my music journey. I’m really blessed to have Sandhya aunty as my teacher. She’s very talented with outstanding teaching skills. I’m grateful to have made good progress with her guidance and support.