Strings of Passion – A Journey with Aditi and the Harp
Namaste and welcome to another enriching episode of Passion Fruit! This week, we sit down with Aditi, a young and extraordinarily talented harpist from the Greater Dallas area, currently in 10th grade. Aditi brings a rare and refreshing perspective on an instrument that is often underrepresented in contemporary music spaces—the harp.
Born into a musically inclined family with a dancer mother and a mandolinist father, Aditi’s early exposure to music was inevitable. What began as playful tinkering on a keyboard with Indian film tunes blossomed into a passion for melody, eventually leading her to the harp—thanks, in part, to a short line at an instrument selection night.
Over five years, Aditi has developed a deep bond with the harp, learning not just the technique, but the emotion, coordination, and discipline the instrument demands. She shares her early frustrations with glissandos, the physical challenges of developing calluses, and the mental dexterity required to coordinate hand and foot for pitch control—a feature unique to the harp.
Aditi also opens up about the limited spotlight the harp gets in orchestral and concerto compositions, offering insights into how familiarity and accessibility have shaped its inclusion (or exclusion) in mainstream ensembles. Despite this, her excitement is palpable as she describes performing at recitals with 50 harps, collaborating with legends like Mandolin U. Rajesh and Selvaganesh, and even playing Bollywood melodies on an instrument traditionally reserved for classical western compositions.
This episode also takes a poignant turn when Aditi discusses the current threat to harp programs in her school district, underscoring the financial and logistical challenges surrounding the instrument. But she remains hopeful and proactive—petitioning, performing, and spreading awareness so that others can fall in love with the harp just as she did.
Whether you’re a music enthusiast, a student of the arts, or just curious about instruments off the beaten path, Aditi’s story will strike a chord. Tune in to hear how passion, perseverance, and a little serendipity can come together to create something truly beautiful.
Huge thanks to Ms Young Park ( FISD Harp Director ) known for her inimitable teaching style, making all her students winners at all major events.