Woodstock students have always been music enthusiasts, and with the technological boom over the past few years and new genres of music coming up, musical interests are more varied than ever. Several students are creating their own music, showcasing their potential to create, perform, and share their work to express themselves and their musical abilities. 

Paranjay

Paranjay is an aspiring music producer with a deep passion for authentic music creation. His influences span indie folk, pop, and alternative rock, with artists like Bon Iver and Arctic Monkeys shaping his sound. Paranjay’s journey began with the sarangi, which he learned in Pokhara, and he later self-taught himself the piano, ukulele, and guitar. His music is introspective, often serving as a form of personal expression rather than aiming for mass appeal. For him, deciding what music he wants to make is often dependent on what his mood is and what emotions he is experiencing at that moment.

He views music creation as a diary/journal entry, focusing on vulnerability and emotions. He aspires to pursue music as a career. The intimate influence of his uncle’s band, the Blue Flat, which blends sarangi, guitar, piano, and drums, has greatly shaped his approach to music. Paranjay’s philosophy on music is to remain true to oneself and be honest in creation, believing that being authentic resonates with many others. His ultimate goal is to inspire people through music that reflects his personal experiences and innermost feelings.

Find his music here

Aaron

Aaron’s musical influences are a mix of indie-pop, alternative, and acoustic sounds, sometimes centered around personal experiences and self-discovery. He likes listening to and getting inspired by artists like Bruno Mars, Prateek Kuhad, and Lucky Ali, whose music is very emotional and inspires his composing skills. At Woodstock, Aaron feels supported and has experimented with and utilized the facilities in the music department, which has broadened his musical perspective.  

From his perspective, his music and performances reflect the freedom, creativity, and growth he’s experienced there. Through his music, he would like to connect emotionally with others, and give a sense of understanding and togetherness. In the future, Aaron hopes to release more music on platforms like Spotify and YouTube Music, experiment with new sounds and instruments, and continue growing as an artist. For him, music will always be a way to express himself, regardless of its scale or success.

Listen to his covers here

Grace

Grace primarily plays classical music, but also likes exploring jazz and contemporary styles sometimes. A few pieces that inspire her music style are Franz Liszt’s Liebestraum No. 3 and Consolations, Clair De Lune by Claude Debussy, and Swan Lake by Peter Tchaikovsky. 

Along with reflecting on how Woodstock has influenced her musical journey, she shared that her mother made her learn the piano at a young age, and she played it because she had to. However, being in an environment where music is deeply valued helped her discover a passion and interest in it. Through performance-related events like Jazz Jam, talent shows, and class nights, she has realized that performing music brings her joy, and she wants to continue doing it.

For Grace, the piano is an essential part of her identity. She sees it as a way to express her thoughts and emotions, which sometimes words fail to capture, like joy, sadness, or excitement. The pieces she plays often reflect a part of her identity, making the piano not just an instrument but a voice and a creative outlet that has shaped her as a person. 

Her advice to aspiring Woodstock musicians is to find time to practice, no matter how busy life gets for them, especially in DP. She encourages students to use the music practice rooms whenever they can and to keep thriving in their passion for music.

Shaurya Sheel is a journalist at The Woodstocker

Image by Tenzin Choden, Head Designer at The Woodstocker

Edited by Trishana Panchagatti, Co-Editor of The Woodstocker