Sanjay Kaushik - Violin 1
Sanjay started learning the violin at age five with Ms. Barbara Greenberg and later with Ms. Patricia Licetti. Through the amazing music program in the West Windsor-Plainsboro school district, Sanjay has been fortunate to play in the school orchestra, and in a chamber music ensemble since Grade 4. He also plays in the Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey. In middle school and high school, he was selected to participate in the CJMEA Regional and All-State Orchestras. Studying with Mr. Dezheng Ping since 2016, Sanjay continues his musical journey successfully auditioning for Masterclasses with David Kim, concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra and Basia Danilow, concertmaster of the Princeton Symphony Orchestra. He won the Gold Award at the IMAS International Competition, the Grand Prize at the Rising Talents Music-Fest for violin solo and has performed at Merkin Hall. Sanjay’s repertoire includes Mozart Violin Concerto No. 4 in D Major, Bach Presto, Kreisler Praeludium & Allegro, Haydn Violin Concerto in C Major and Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E minor. Sanjay is a distance runner and a mathlete. He volunteers at his temple as a math tutor, coaching middle school students in Competition Math. An avid soccer and football fan, his favorite teams are Liverpool and the Baltimore Ravens. |
Richard Aerath - Violin 2
Richard began learning the violin from the age of eight and has toned his skills and love for the instrument through the help of various mentors and instructors. He now studies under the mentorship of Mr. Philip Pugh and previously learned under Mrs. Mariana Vasiliu, both teachers of the West Windsor-Plainsboro school district. As he continued to play and was able to express himself through music, Richard gained opportunities and earned spots in chamber groups such as the Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey, as well as the Central Jersey Music Educators Association (CJMEA). Richard's solo repertoire has consisted of various pieces such as Accolay Violin Concerto in A minor, Kreisler Praeludium and Allegro, Have Allegro Brilliant Op. 19, and Severn Polish Dance. Through his continuous passion for music, Richard also takes singing lessons under the guidance of Mrs. Danielle Sinclair in the Westminster Conservatory of Music at Rider University. He has performed in various chapels on campus, won a scholarship tournament, and performed at the Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple. |
Tanav Gowda - Viola
(Joined in October 2022) Tanav realized his love for viola in 5th grade and played it in his school orchestras ever since. He had been able to grow through the wonderful music programs of West Windsor-Plainsboro, and was later awarded the Bianca Caringal Award for Performing Arts in the eighth grade. He takes part in the Honors Music Program at the Westminster Conservatory of Rider University, in which he learns Music Theory, Composition, and Chamber Performance. There, he also began private viola lessons under Mrs. Marjorie Selden and is currently learning from Mr. Takuya Horiuchi. Tanav also is part of Symphony Orchestra of the Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey (YOCJ). Tanav's solo repertoire includes Stamitz Viola Concerto in D major, Prelude from Bach Cello Suite No. 2 for Viola, and Walton Viola Concerto. Tanav has also been learning Carnatic singing from the age of 5. His current teacher is Smt. Neyveli Ramalakshmi, who has created opportunities to perform with his music school group at music festivals such as Cleveland’s Thyagaraja Festival, renowned in the US. He has also won several competitions at such events. |
Aarav Patel - Cello
Attracted to its rich sound, Aarav decided to pursue the cello in fourth grade. As his passion and skill grew, he successfully secured his place in higher level orchestras including his middle school chamber ensemble, the Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey (YOCJ) and was selected for the New Jersey Music Educators Association (NJMEA) Region Orchestra. He is currently a member of his high school Philharmonic Orchestra, chamber ensemble, Nonet and the YOCJ Symphonic Orchestra. Aarav's solo repertoire has consisted of Elgar Cello Concerto in E minor, Dvorak Cello Concerto in B minor, Brahms Cello Sonata No. 1 in E minor, Vocalise by S. Rachmaninoff, Saint Saens Cello Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Goltermann Concerto No. 4 and various movements from J.S. Bach's Cello Suites. Aarav studies privately under the tutelage of Ms. Kristin Palombit and Mr. David Szepessy and has been fortunate enough to have wonderful teachers in school who have inspired him to share his knowledge with younger musicians. He has volunteered his time to coaching budding elementary and middle school cellists while furthering his own musical studies by learning the piano. |