For over fifteen years, A Child’s Song (ACS) has been graced by the musical talent and dedication of siblings, Dara and Mohan. Twin sensations, they entered ACS Kindermusik classes over fifteen years ago, wide-eyed, excited, and with a budding curiosity for the world of music. Their journey has not merely been a story of talent, but one of unwavering determination, resilience, and a playful spirit that has echoed throughout the classrooms. As they prepare for the next stage of their lives, we reflect upon their unique journey that is as harmonious as a duet and as diverse as their musical tastes.
Dara and Mohan began their musical exploration in Kindermusik at the age of 3, fostering a love for music and movement and a bond with instructor Kristin. When they turned 5 years old, they continued their instruction with Kristin, embarking on their exploration of the piano. Practicing for 30-45 minutes 6 days a week, the two of them made quick and steady progress. Their story challenges the romanticized narrative of natural talent; Mohan, ever the pragmatist, attributing their success to relentless determination and consistent practice.
“For me the hardest part was getting to the piano - I would be like, oh I have to play piano today, there's so much other stuff that I want to do, but I don't want to have to spend this time playing piano. But once I got to the piano it was fun. I wanted to play piano, it was just getting there that was hard some days… it's just something that every day like I can look back and it's not something that I regret spending my time spent on. Where basically everything else I did in that day it didn't change me as a person, where that 30 minutes of piano it did.”
As they grew older, Dara and Mohan’s individual musical identities began to diverge. Dara found solace in the timeless melodies of classical music, while Mohan leaned towards the pulsating, rhythmic allure of Ragtime and Jazz. Yet, their distinct tastes never hindered their ability to perform mesmerizing duets, as they continually challenged and inspired each other. This divergence did nothing to dim their bond. On the contrary, their playful and teasing nature breathed fresh energy into our community, embodying the joy and spirit of music-making.
Despite their diverse interests, both Dara and Mohan remain committed to music. Dara, an advanced pianist in her high school piano class and jazz band, plans to continue playing piano in college, even without formal classes. She performed a solo piece as a prelude to her high school graduation ceremony, Arabesque by Claude Debussy.
Meanwhile, Mohan finds the piano a crucial foundation in music production, illustrating how the piano serves as a gateway to other instruments and sound creation.
“I really became interested in piano when I could listen to the radio on my way home from school or listen to classical music when I'm falling asleep and I could go, I want to learn that and then actually do it. It just made my practices a lot more fun over time.”
Their extensive training has granted them more than just musical proficiency. Dara’s ability to reinterpret music and Mohan’s exploration of music production with Logic Pro X reflect their aptitude to adapt and innovate. Their skill has won them the admiration of friends, and given them the ability to learn new pieces or even create their own within a matter of days.
When asked what advice they would give to their younger selves or students just beginning their piano journey, they said:
You’ve got to find something fun in it at every step. One of the most frequent comments during my time volunteering as a lobby pianist at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science is from viewers who say they used to take piano lessons and wish they wouldn’t have quit. It’s not for everyone, but it is a really valuable thing to learn. Find your fun in it.”
“Just practice every day and you'll notice growth. Eventually, if you actually stay committed and stay mindful about your progress, it will come together. Instead of practicing for 45 minutes and five days, do 30 minutes for every day of the week. Stay consistent.”
Future Endeavors:
Dara and Mohan’s love for music is paralleled only by their passion for exploration. As Dara looks forward to indulging her artistic tendencies at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) in Baltimore, Mohan will be pursuing his aerospace engineering degree at Purdue University in the fall. Their ambition to leave the state for college stands as a testament to their adventurous spirits.
“Watching Dara and Mohan develop as musicians and humans has been a tremendous honor. To have them a part of the ACS family for so long has been a joy. Their creativity and determination that has developed over the years will only enhance their future and take them as far as they dream.”
