The music swells, the lights gleam on the stage and the crowd erupts as senior Ananya Das and her choir step forward, holding the American flag in front of thousands of people. The moment feels surreal — standing victorious at the 2023 World Choir Games in Korea, a gold medal in hand, representing not just her school, but her country. As the national anthem plays, she feels the weight of years of dedication, rehearsals and sacrifices crystallizing into this singular moment of triumph.

Ananya’s love for music, however, started long before she ever performed on a world stage. At just three years old, she began learning Indian classical singing. By third grade, she joined iSing Silicon Valley, a choir that would shape much of her early musical journey. When she entered Harker in fourth grade, she continued singing through Bucknall Choir, but it wasn’t until high school that she fully committed to Harker’s performing arts program, auditioning for advanced ensembles like Cantilena and finding new ways to grow as a musician.

“Cantilena was such a small choir, which gave me so many solo opportunities,” Ananya said. “Sophomore year was when my voice finally started to develop. Freshman year, I was still in that awkward transitional phase where it didn’t feel like my full self yet; it sucked. But in sophomore year, I really got it back and came into my own.”

As her voice matured, so did her role within the performing arts community. No longer just a singer, she now works as a leader, taking on roles in multiple ensembles, serving as dance captain, and even directing performances. These experiences push her to navigate the complexities of leadership — learning when to accommodate, when to delegate and when to take charge.

“I’m a leader, I’m a collaborator — performing arts has been the tool for me to grow in both,” Ananya said. “This year alone, through Student Directed Showcase, Downbeat and being a dance captain, I’ve learned so much about leadership. It’s hard to draw the line between friendship and authority, when to be accommodating and when to put your foot down. I used to always try to make things work for everyone, but I realized that’s exhausting and not always possible. This year, I learned how to stand my ground.”

Senior Shruti Srinivasan, Ananya’s close friend since third grade and fellow Downbeat member, comments on how Ananya has grown over the years, not just as a performer but as a person.

“Over the years, I’ve noticed her boost in self-confidence: she’s not afraid to express her opinions or ask questions,” Shruti said. “She’s not influenced by what others think and makes sure to have a voice of her own. She has always tried to form strong relationships and connect with people, but now she carries herself with even more assurance.”

However, with leadership comes responsibility, and with responsibility often comes an overwhelming schedule. While performing arts provides an outlet for self-expression, it also requires immense dedication, often at the cost of personal time and even academics.

“A lot of people don’t recognize it, but performing arts is just as demanding as a D1 sport,” Ananya said. “Rehearsals are constant, especially when you’re involved in multiple groups. It takes up so much of my time, and I love it, but sometimes it’s really hard. I miss classes for performances, then have to make up work, but then I have another rehearsal. It just turns into a scheduling nightmare.”

Close friend and fellow iSing member junior Sophia Bagley praises Ananya’s skill in managing her responsibilities both within and beyond Harker and the mentorship she can offer.

“I admire her ability to balance all these extracurriculars and schoolwork,” Sophia said. “Being able to see her be the star of the musical, have a solo in choir and manage all of her academic stress has inspired me to take on more things. I can always look to her for advice because our lives are so parallel.”

Yet, even in the most exhausting moments, Ananya never considered stepping away from music. To her, music is more than a passion; it is a way to connect. One of the most defining moments of her journey happened not on a grand stage but in a surprising setting: a memory care center.

“When I performed, a patient who was previously silent — we were told before we went into the facility not to expect anything — started to sing with me,” Ananya said. “It was just such a beautiful, cathartic experience for me. If I had to synthesize it into a sentence, I’d say music has given me the superpower of connection.”

Downbeat mentor Jennifer Sandusky recalls one of Ananya’s solo a cappella performances as a moment that went far beyond just technical skill, invoking passion and true connection.

“I have such a vivid memory of it because it wasn’t just musically beautiful, it was physically beautiful,” Sandusky said. “There are things you cannot teach in music, such as the spirit and the expression. We can give all sorts of technical feedback, but at the end of the day, it’s about spirit and soul. Ananya, in that moment, was all soul.”

This idea of connection extends beyond just performance: it has shaped how Ananya sees the world. She approaches music not just emotionally but intellectually, fascinated by how sound and structure intersect. For her, music theory isn’t just about notes; it’s about the mathematical relationships between chords, the psychology of harmony, and the logic behind composition.

“It’s so interesting how music and math are so intertwined and you can hear like a chord and be like, ‘oh yeah, that chord mathematically makes sense,’” Ananya said. “I love analyzing one thing through psych and then also game theory, and I love analyzing this chord through actual music theory and then math. I love a multifaceted view towards a certain subject.”

Through music and exploration, Ananya discovers unexpected passions and builds meaningful connections with those around her. For Ananya, the essential part of trying new things is not just the activity itself, but the relationships and experiences that come with it. Whether through performing, leading or stepping into unfamiliar territory, she finds that growth comes from embracing the unknown.

“I’d tell others to step out of your comfort zone and try new things because you never know what you might fall in love with,” Ananya said. “I feel like high school is such a period of exploration. I found a love for so many things I didn’t expect to find a love for. To me, the things you love most often come as a surprise, and that only happens when you expand what you’re willing to try a little bit.”