![“I wasn't discouraged by some of the obstacles we faced. I learned a lot from the leadership. I found that different people need different ways of receiving feedback — you can't [just] tell them to do something and expect the best. [Some] people needed more incentive. A large part of my role was to figure out what worked for everyone and to figure out how to lead all these separate individuals as a team,” Suhana Bhandare (’26) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/SuhanaBhandare_JasmineHansra-1-1200x798.jpg)
![“This is actually from Randy Pausch Randy P. Brick: ‘Walls are there for a reason. You have to show how much you want to overcome them.’ You have to show how much you want something. That's what I've always been able to do with tennis, Link Crew and getting that internship [with Kushy Baby]. It’s important pushing through that — getting around that brick wall, climbing over it or clawing through it,” Yash Sachdeva (’26) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/YashSachdeva_RamBatchu-copy-1200x1002.jpg)
![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasn't been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but I've had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. There's so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesn't exist, you can build it yourself," Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“When I came into high school, I was ready to be a follower. But DECA was a game changer for me. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and it's played such a major role in who I've become today. To be able to successfully lead a chapter of 150 students, an officer team and be one of the upperclassmen I once really admired is something I'm [really] proud of,” Anvitha Tummala ('21) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-25-at-9.50.05-AM-900x594.png)
![“I think getting up in the morning and having a sense of purpose [is exciting]. I think without a certain amount of drive, life is kind of obsolete and mundane, and I think having that every single day is what makes each day unique and kind of makes life exciting,” Neymika Jain (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-4.54.16-PM.png)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you aren't going to get those championships if you aren't fast,” Angel Cervantes (12) said. “I want to do well in school on my tests and in track and win championships for my team. I live by that, [and] I can do that anywhere: in the classroom or on the field.”](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSC5146-900x601.jpg)
![“[Volleyball has] taught me how to fall correctly, and another thing it taught is that you don’t have to be the best at something to be good at it. If you just hit the ball in a smart way, then it still scores points and you’re good at it. You could be a background player and still make a much bigger impact on the team than you would think,” Anya Gert (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AnnaGert_JinTuan_HoHPhotoEdited-600x900.jpeg)
![“I'm not nearly there yet, but [my confidence has] definitely been getting better since I was pretty shy and timid coming into Harker my freshman year. I know that there's a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyone's so driven and that has really pushed me to kind of try to find my own place in high school and be more confident,” Alyssa Huang (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AlyssaHuang_EmilyChen_HoHPhoto-900x749.jpeg)
Composer David Amram to visit upper school next week as artist in residence
Composer David Amram, who will be visiting the upper school as this year’s artist in residence. His visit begins tomorrow and will last throughout the week, and he will host a number of workshops, lectures and talks for students to learn more about music and art.
November 3, 2019
Award-winning composer David Amram will travel to the upper school next week as this year’s artist in residence, bringing a series of music workshops, lectures and performances.
A lifelong musician, Amram began his journey in composition by scoring films in Hollywood, but soon set off on his own path on composing original music reflecting his personal values.
“That’s not what was in his heart. He wanted to make original music that spoke to him. And he didn’t want to simply be making music for movies,” said upper school English teacher Charles Shuttleworth, who helped organize Amram’s visit. “He also didn’t like Hollywood and the whole system out there. He felt confined.”
Amram has traveled the world, gathering musical styles which he infuses into his classical compositions. His recent commission exhibits just a few of the rhythms he’s collected.
“The piece that he had at Symphony Silicon Valley had echoes of folk, it had echoes of blues, and it had echoes of jazz and blues, jazz and then finally, Latin music,” Shuttleworth said. “He’s very eclectic. He follows his own heart, and so I find it really inspiring.”
Tomorrow, Amram will begin his visit with the upper school orchestra and teach at various upper school music classes throughout the week. Amram will then host a workshop during lunch on Tuesday in partnership with CareerConnect. The workshop is entitled “Making Your Music Career Profitable,” and Amram will speak to interested students on how artists build their business.
During Thursday’s lunch, Amram will be hosting an “Amram Jam” session for students to bring their music or any other creative work and improvise with Amram. Throughout the week, up to 14 students every day can sign up to spend lunches with Amram and talk to him about music and art in general.
To cap off his week at the upper school, Amram will be hosting a Speaker Series lecture and performance on Friday at 7 p.m. in the Patil Theater, where he will be talking about his life’s work and playing music with the upper school orchestra and jazz band.
“[Amram’s] spontaneity, not just in terms of jazz improvisation in what notes he chooses to play and what instrument and what pieces—I think I’m excited about that, and obviously, just listening and learning from all of his stories and his career as a composer, arranger and incredible musician,” said Kalyan Narayanan (12), who helped Shuttleworth prepare for Amram’s visit.
