Artist Spotlight: Antara Bhattacharyay
“I think that art, including music, can make the world a better place by highlighting the strength of diversity and thereby bringing people together. Music is used all around the world, and while different geographical regions have distinctly different musical sounds and styles, they are all used as a form of expression. In that way, music is a universal language and allows people from different backgrounds to connect and express themselves. ”
Antara Bhattacharyay is a high school-aged musician living in Wisconsin. Read on to learn more about her love of classical music, as well as the people who’ve supported her along the way. And click the button above to hear her rendition of Bach’s “Adagio from Violin Sonata No. 1 in G minor.”
1. Tell us a bit about your “art origin story”? When did you first fall in love with your art?
I think it started with my love for listening to classical music. From a young age, when my parents would play pieces by classical composers, namely, Bach, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and Grieg, I would always listen. When I was given the opportunity to take violin lessons, I quickly fell in love with playing violin, and with time, I learned to appreciate and connect with classical music on a deeper level.
2. What role have teachers played in your development as an artist? Any one stand out?
My teachers have played a major role in my development as a musician. Specifically, my private lessons’ teacher, Terry Wilkinson, has guided me through the process of learning how to play violin: from the basics to using musical expression in my playing. She has been an amazing mentor to me throughout the past several years, and I don’t believe I would have been able to connect with music as closely if not for her guidance. In addition, my high school orchestra conductor, Ms. Soma Pierce-Smit, has been a wonderful mentor to me as well. Her enthusiasm and love for music are contagious, and she constantly finds ways for the orchestra to play and share music with others in our community. Her love for sharing music and passion for teaching music has truly inspired me and has positively influenced me as a musician.
3. Who are some artists who you admire? What is it that you love about their work?
There are quite a few artists who I admire, and the list continues to grow as I listen to a greater number of musicians perform. I personally quite enjoy listening to interpretations by different musicians to really notice how each performer uniquely approaches a specific piece. In particular, I really admire Hilary Hahn and her ability to convey a wide array of emotions through her playing. In her performance of Sibelius’ Violin Concerto in D minor, for example, I love listening to how seamlessly she transitions between the calm moments to the more impassioned and energetic sections.
4. Describe how you use art and creativity in your craft as well as your everyday life.
I think I am able to use creativity in my craft by exploring different ways to interpret the music I play. For instance, I can experiment with different aspects of a certain piece I am playing, such as the tempo or the dynamics. In everyday life, practicing violin allows me to relax and find enjoyment in music. I also have the opportunity to play in various ensembles, which allows me to meet people who are passionate about music and to also experiment with different interpretations of the music we are playing together.
5. How can art make the world a better place? Can you share a personal example?
I think that art, including music, can make the world a better place by highlighting the strength of diversity and thereby bringing people together. Music is used all around the world, and while different geographical regions have distinctly different musical sounds and styles, they are all used as a form of expression. In that way, music is a universal language and allows people from different backgrounds to connect and express themselves. For me, when I play music by composers from different places across the globe or from different time periods in history, I take the opportunity to learn more about the context in which the music was written to better connect with the music and the composer’s background and experience.