Congratulations, Class of 2025!
- NSMS
- May 29
- 5 min read
This year, we bid a bittersweet farewell to ten graduating seniors. Please take a moment to read about our graduates, and join us in wishing them all the best. We will miss you. Keep in touch, and keep on making music!
Aaron Chai
High School: Montgomery High School
College: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Major: Computer Science (for now)
Lessons learned from piano study: Simply being adept with music is a useful life skill. My piano study has also taught me to practice every day and persist towards my goals.
“I have studied with many teachers over the years, and I have had something new to learn each time.”
Aaron started out 13 years ago as a beginner in the Piano Detectives Class (pictured below in the red shirt), and is the first NSMS student to pass the Royal Conservatory ARCT Piano Performance exam (first class honors).
Siddharth Ghosh
High School: Monroe Township High School
College: Rutgers University
Major: Mathematics
Lessons learned from piano study: Attention to detail. Piano playing is really intricate and there’s a lot of tiny details that can drastically alter how a piece sounds.
“Learning about music isn’t just about technical skills, it’s about stories. Every piece tells a story, each composer is writing a story. It’s the player, whether it be piano or singing or anything else, who tells the story.”
Francisco Griffies-Benito
High School: Princeton High School
College: Virginia Tech
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Lessons learned from piano study: Consistent improvement goes far in the long run.
“Dr. Louw has been one of the most important teachers in my life—not just in music. His methodical approach and musical ear have guided me through both my piano playing and my pursuits beyond the keys.”
Parth Halani
High School: Hillsborough High School
College: University of Chicago
Major: Mathematics and Economics. minor in Music.
Lessons learned from piano study: Through years of disciplined piano practice, I focused heavily on perfecting technique and speed, winning competitions and mastering difficult pieces. However, after switching to the New School for Music Study during my sophomore year and studying primarily under the instruction of Dr. Aguilar, I began to explore the emotional depth and historical context behind the music, learning to connect personally with each piece. This shift taught me that true artistry—and growth—comes not from impressing, but from expressing meaning and emotion. This disciplined lesson has extended into my life, where I no longer strive to impress others, but instead embrace who I am by connecting with the narrative of my experiences and expressing myself authentically.
"Although I've only been at NSMS for the past 3 years, it has taught me that growth as a musician doesn't happen in isolation. Through group classes, I became a more confident performer by learning to share music in front of peers and receive feedback in real time. The diverse backgrounds of the teachers at NSMS brought unique perspectives to each piece I played, and their thoughtful, varied comments pushed me to interpret music in ways I hadn’t considered before. This environment not only made me a better pianist, but also helped me appreciate the value of collaboration and open-mindedness."
Divyansh Jain
High School: West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North
College: University of Delaware
Major: Chemical Engineering, possible minor in music
Lessons learned from piano study:
Practice needs to be paired with mindfulness and consistency to have value.
Mindset affects results and how you progress a lot.
It is worthwhile to break bigger problems or pieces into smaller, digestible, pieces.
You are capable of more than you realize.
Some days are harder than others, don’t let that get to your head.
“Every lesson I was astonished with how much nuance Dr. Ling brought out of me. I would work on all the techniques, come back, and receive even more. I am grateful for the invaluable knowledge and guidance I received. In addition, every lesson was welcoming, encouraging, supportive, and progressive.
Amy Lin
High School: Princeton High School
College: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Major: Computer Science and AI
Lessons learned from piano study: Piano study has taught me patience, discipline, and appreciation of creativity, beauty, and human spirit conveyed by classical music. The attention to detail that goes into shaping every musical phrase has helped me learn the value of rigor and resilience in the study of science and ballet.
“NSMS is like a family to me, with the most dedicated and talented piano teachers. They helped me grow tremendously as a musician and as a person. Through the NSMS Composition Contest, I found my love for writing music. I would not be who I am today without the guidance of Dr. Koshoeva, Dr. Louw, Mr. Blickenstaff, Ms. Cahill, Dr. Ruiz, Ms. Nelson, and the NSMS faculty, who were by my side at every moment of my musical journey, big or small.”
Sahil Narsinghani
High School: South Brunswick High School
College: University of Central Florida
Major: Computer Science (planning to complete a Master’s in Cybersecurity at the Burnett Honors College)
Lessons learned from piano study: Over the past 4 years, I’ve discovered the importance of perseverance, patience, and discipline. Sticking with each practice session—even when progress feels slow—has pushed me forward. By maintaining a structured approach, I’ve not only sharpened my piano skills but also learned to tackle problems in other areas of my life with the same systematic mindset. As a result, I’ve seen my performance in school and beyond improve dramatically.
“My time at the New School has been life-changing. When I first arrived, piano was just a weekend hobby on my Yamaha keyboard—I never imagined how far I could go. Thanks to Mr. Blickenstaff’s unwavering support, I’ve grown my sight‐reading, technique, and musical expression to a level I once only dreamed of. Early on, Ms. Glennon taught me how to practice smarter, stay disciplined, and overcome my recital jitters. Without their guidance, I wouldn’t be the musician I am today.
Michaela “Miki” Schnitzer
High School: West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South
College: Rutgers University
Major: Political Science
Lessons learned from piano study:
Surrounding yourself with people who are passionate about their craft will help you grow your own talent.
“I was a Piano Detective at NSMS 13 years ago, and I'm still finding joy in studying new pieces thanks to lots of wonderful teachers, especially Ms. Kahill and Ms. Nelson!”
Rishith Tenepalli
High School: Lawrence High School
College: Rutgers University
Major: Finance
Lessons learned from piano study:
Piano has helped me build time management skills, and has helped me improve how I apply myself in all that I am involved in.
“Life is like a piano. What you get out of it depends on how you play it.”- Tom Lehrer
Jayaditya Yeluri
High School: West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South
College: University of Colorado, Boulder
Major: Aerospace Engineering
Lessons learned from piano study: discipline and practice
“I have been studying piano at NSMS for 9 years, which helped me to improve my memory and concentration, and to relax with my busy schedule. NSMS teachers have been very knowledgeable, encouraging, helpful, and supportive throughout my music journey.”
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