AUW students, Alexis Thayaparan Christine Thevamirtha and Chichano M Humtsoe, have received an opportunity to undergo choral and music training in Paris, France. Christine and Chichano will travel to Paris in August 2019 to undergo an intensive vocal training program facilitated by Alliance Française. Following their training, they will join a group of trained vocal musicians to perform at a concert in Paris. Christine and Chichano will perform songs in French, German, and Italian.
Christine is from Jaffna, Sri Lanka and grew up with a passion for music at an early age. “Music is my passion. I have been singing since I was six years old – I started at my church then small performance in my school” says Christine.
She has been practising piano and violin since she was young. In her studies, Christine has completed Access Academy and is planning to declare her major in Bioinformatics. Her academic interests are in science and research.
Chichano is from Nagaland in North East India. Chichano, like Christine, also discovered a love for music as a child. Chichano has never taken a formal music class, but she learned guitar from her brother and took different opportunities to sing with a group. Before coming to AUW, Chichano reflects, “I was nervous before starting my studies at AUW – when I arrived, I was surprised by how much help I received from my seniors, teachers and classmates.” Chichao has completed Access Academy and intends to declare her major in Politics, Philosophy & Economics.
Leading up to their opportunity in France, Christine and Chichano will be training twice a week with Dr Selvam Thorez, Director of Alliance Française de Chittagong. They will take music theory classes that will help Christine and Chichano cultivate a deeper understanding of the basic building blocks of music. Christine and Chichano will also take French classes at Alliance Française to learn basic French before they leave for France.
“I am very proud of Christine and Chichano for their hard work in the choir. They exemplify that the focused, diligent efforts of AUW students can lead them to not just reach their dreams, but go above and beyond” says Ethan Goldbach, AUW Music Choir director.
Both Christine and Chichano believes that music has enriched their lives and experiences at AUW. Christine notes that “AUW is supporting various performing arts on campus – from singing to dancing, we have the chance to try many new ways of expressing ourselves.
I am grateful that I have the opportunity to be a part of the AUW Music and Choir community.” Chichano remarks, “AUW is full of diversity and different cultures. For me, music is one way that we can unite our connection and celebrate our differences.”
