Hi everyone! My name is Maya- I am a Senior here at OU majoring in classical voice performance- so, opera! Where I come from is a mildly complicated question- My mother is half Swiss, half German, and my father is from the US. Though we live in Wisconsin, we speak Swiss at home. I am lucky enough to have inherited the citizenships of all three countries! So, when people ask, I often find it humorous to respond that I am from "Swissconsin." Very punny, I know....
I have always loved classical music, though I know that it is somewhat of a niche interest. But I think that classical music is more relevant than a lot of us may think- Dvorak's "New World Symphony" was the basis of a lot of the soundtrack for "Lord of the Rings," and one of my personal favorites, Dvorak's "Second Waltz," just made an appearance in the Netflix show "Bridgerton." The violinist David Garrett also does a lot of rock renditions of classical pieces, with my personal favorite being "The Fifth."
Anyway, enough babbling about classical music.....
I am also on a pre-med track. Both of my parents are doctors, so I have been surrounded by medicine all of my life, and consider it to be a truly equal passion to music. I could not do one without the other, and I often take great solace in my ability to be able to switch between music and science classes whenever I need respite from one or the other. Medicine is my calling, but music is my catharsis.
The hope is that one day I will be able to combine my passions for music and medicine by performing surgeries on singers who have developed vocal nodules and the like.
I am exited to be in this class this semester with you all, and look forward to meeting you all in your introduction posts!
Hello Maya!
ReplyDeleteI am also on the Pre-Med track, I am hoping to become an Anesthesiologist. You mentioned that you hope to perform surgeries on singers, does this mean that your goal is to become an ENT physician or just a surgeon?
I recently watched Bridgerton as well! It ended up being one of my all time favorite shows and I can't wait for more seasons, mostly because I'll get to see the Duke of Hastings again. Were you surprised by the reveal of the lady Whistledown?
Hello Maya,
ReplyDeleteI just got done commenting on Rebecca's introduction and she is big into music as well. I think that is so cool that you guys chose to pursue that in college as well. Also, really cool picture of Ireland. I have always wanted to go there. I think it is also so cool that you are also on the pre-med track. I have a huge passion for science as well. I cannot imagine how hard it must have been to major in vocal performance while also taking all of the required classes to get into med school. Really cool stuff!
Hi Maya! I am also a premed senior, but I chose the more "traditional" major of microbiology. I am sure your passion for music will add a unique aspect to your outlook on medicine once you become a surgeon! I wonder if we have had any science classes together over the years, but I am sure I have not had any music classes with you (I have only taken Experiencing Music, which was fun but nothing like your tough music classes).
ReplyDeleteHi Maya,
ReplyDeleteI think it's awesome how many hobbies you have mixed in with your ambitions in life. I'm also pursing a medical school future as a junior at OU right now. I find myself very caught up in the testing, application, and basic school process in the life of a pre-med student, so I respect the fact you have yet another hobby like singing on top of that. I often wish I chose a different type of major much like you to make myself more well rounded, but at the same time I couldn't be happier with where I'm at in my life right now. Good luck on your future ambitions, Maya!
Hi Maya! I think your major is so cool! I quire like Opera, but I'm not gifted with an operatic singing voice so I just enjoy listening to those who are! It's awesome that you're able to combine both of your interests. I had no idea there were surgeons who specify in surgery for singers, so that was really fun to read about! I hope you have a great semester!
ReplyDeleteHi Maya! Your major is really cool! I'm not a good singer but if you get me on a karaoke stage it would be the talk of the town (good? bad? who knows. we can duet and you can make me sound good). My roommate is also on the pre-med track wanting to be a surgeon and I see all of the hard work she has to put in for that major so I commend you on that! Congratulations on your upcoming graduation!
ReplyDeleteHi Maya! I think it is amazing that you speak Swiss at home and are bilingual! I am also on the premed track and am wanting to go into either dermatology or anesthesiology. I think it is amazing how you are able to combine both your interests! Wow, that's such a beautiful picture of Ireland! I can't imagine what it looked like in person! Ireland is definitely on my list of place I want to visit! Congratulations on your upcoming graduation, wishing you the best!
ReplyDeleteHello Maya! I don't think I've met you around Catlett yet, but it is a delight to meet you through your blog introduction. I think it is so interesting that you are in vocal performance and pre-med; your passion for both is something rare these days and the world needs more people like you. I love puns and your "Swissconsin" is so clever, I had to smile. Good luck on your senior year, I'm very excited to get to know you through this class!
ReplyDeleteHello Maya I'm super jealous of you that you were born being bilingual and citizens in multiple countries. I too am on the pre health track because of my surroundings to it all my life, good luck to both of us! Also, agreed classical music is one of the best genres of music and is the music I use for studying. Congrats on graduation this year, very jealous!
ReplyDeleteOh, how wonderful to meet an opera major, Maya! It has been a long time since there was an opera major in this class: so exciting! And of course India has some wonderful classical voice traditions also; maybe that is something you will want to explore, looking for some beautiful music to include at your blog or website, while at the same time exploring the medical dimensions of the goddesses and their stories. And you are the first person from Swissconsin, ha ha.
ReplyDeleteAnd how wonderful to think about using medicine to learn more about the amazing instrument that is the human voice. And here's some mythology about the human throat: do you know about the god Shiva and his blue throat? It's from when Shiva drank the halahala poison and saved the world! That's how he got his name Nilakantha, Blue-Throat :-) Story here: Shiva and the Halahala
Hey Maya!
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool how you have citizenship from all three countries. My mother was born in England and my father was born in India. I was born in America, so I am a dual citizen of England and the United States. I love how you sing opera and want to be a surgeon. That is so inspiring! I wish you all the best with your future endeavors! Good luck!
Hey Maya! I love non-traditional pre-med students! I'm not one myself, but I have a lot of respect for the work you guys put in to combine your passions, so I wish you the best of luck in continuing in both music and medicine. I'm a musician, too, and I love learning more about classical music. I spend a lot of time listening to movie scores, so I'm thrilled to learn about the connection between "New World Symphony" and Lord of the Rings. If this is your last semester, congratulations on graduating, and I'm excited to read more of your stories in this class!
ReplyDeleteHi Maya! Very nice to get acquainted with you. I really enjoyed your "Swissconsin" pun! Classical music is absolutely gorgeous. I played the flute and piccolo in my high school band and loved every minute of it. I also have a friend who sings opera and it is such an amazing thing. The way that the music and the vocals resonate through my body is insane. A simple song can make you feel so many emotions. I wish you the absolute best with your studies and your endeavors!
ReplyDeleteHi Maya! That is so cool to hear that you are majoring in classical voice performance! This is my first-time meeting someone majoring in this form of art! I find it so funny that you are from “Swissconsin”. I am also able to speak other languages, and you being able to speak Swiss is so cool! I find it amazing that you can pursue two things that you love equally – medicine and music. Have an amazing semester ahead of you!
ReplyDeleteHi Maya!
ReplyDeleteI was really happy to read that you want to continue both medicine and music. I cannot tell you how many times I have seen or heard of people choosing one over the other because they would rather a) have a steady job or b) follow their passion. I think a lot of us forget that we don't have to pick and choose, we can find a balance, so I love that you plan to do just that. Since you are pursuing a career in medicine, are you minoring in a science field or just taking the necessary classes to prepare for the MCAT? Also, I agree with what you said about classical music being more relevant than we think. I hear it everywhere, even when I don't realize it at the time. The semester is drawing to a close, so good luck with these remaining weeks!
Good to virtually meet you, Maya! It is fascinating that you are majoring in classical voice performance. You would certainly cringe if you heard my limited range and tone deaf attempt at singing haha. It is also very cool that you are working to become a surgeon. My brother is doing the same. I definitely respect and appreciate what you guys do!
ReplyDeleteHi Maya!! Wow your life seems very interesting. If their was one talent I wish I had it would be being a good singer. I am absolutely awful at singing, so I think it is wonderful how you are pursuing your talents. I have always wanted to go to Switzerland and Germany. How cool that you have citizenship in 3 countries!!!.
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