Q: In what way has the study of music influenced your everyday life?

The study of music has influenced me in both direct and indirect ways.
My ear seems to have this uncontrollable radar that attempts to detect theory out of even pop songs. Before I studied music, I used to experience music in a very…passive way. Instead of being a nuisance, my knowledge of music has enhanced the way I interpret the sounds around me. Indirectly, studying music has disciplined me, toned my attention, and taught me to be a better listener. It’s a mental struggle that goes beyond the playing. Well worth it.

Q: Do you play any other instruments besides the piano?

No. But I do enjoy the accordion, violin, and instruments you’d find at a country music concert.

Q: What advice would you give to other students interested in
     studying music?

If you’re going to take up an instrument or an eight page sonata, you really have to love it, or learn to love it and appreciate it. If you don’t, you’ll never get yourself to sit on the piano bench and figure it out. Motivation and enthusiasm will make your practice time go by faster, and you’ll be proud of yourself once you figure it out and you’re playing the piece or instrument nonstop 5 times a day (like I do…)

Q: Who are your specific influences in classical music and why?

This is a tough question because I don’t consider myself a classical music aficionado, however my ordinary response would have to be Chopin (though he is not considered classical) and the likes. Any composer that can convey emotion gets a spot on my iPod. Recently, that’s also been Gustav Mahler. My musical influences are still grayish because I have not yet figured out my “sound.”

Q: How did Rabi Rasson influence you as a musician?

He has influenced me as a musician by providing the tools to make worthy music. There is a lot to learn from him that he taught himself, which only motivates you to figure out new stuff on your own (hoping he didn’t figure out all the good stuff first)

Q: What type of music genre do you enjoy playing most and why?

I like folk music because it’s charming and not very hard (haha). I also enjoy Jazz because it’s rebellious, emotional, and fun all in one. Latin is also great to play because it’s so rhythmically rich. I usually favor songs that are slow, though, and make you feel really emotional or sad, whether lyrical or not.

Q: What do you hope to accomplish as an Assyrian musician who
     has studied music?

I hope to break some ground. While learning to play piano, I don’t remember looking up to any Assyrian musician but Rabi Rasson. I’m not asking to be the next poster girl for musical Assyria, but it would be (probably) the greatest thing ever if we, his students, made a difference in our community with our musical studies. Learning music is an act of high class and discipline, not a lousy night at the studio recording a song based on the cycle of fifths. It is something to be appreciated and shared within our community. We, as Assyrian students, have already set a standard to the outside world, and it’s time to set a standard in our Assyrian community.

Q: Do you compose? If so, how has that made you more aware of
     the Fine arts?

I do compose. It’s increased my awareness of the fine arts by scolding me for all the times I didn’t appreciate a work of art, a sculpture, or a piece of music. It’s definitely a struggle that entails you against the music. Yet it’s a struggle that is universal to all artists.

Q: What other forms of art do you like? Such as painting, writing,
     dance, etc?

I enjoy poetry when I come across it (back in the creative writing days) and I’m really charmed by M.C. Escher’s artwork. His artwork allows me to experience mathematics without the overwhelming stress of anti derivatives and losing my TI-83 calculator for the third time.

Q: Do you have plans of teaching or composing music in the future?

I definitely have plans of continuing my compositions in the future, and later than sooner, when time permits, I will teach.