Meena Bhasin, considered one of the best young string players in the world, has performed in Japan, at the United Nations General Assembly Hall, and at the Mostly Mozart Concert at Avery Fisher Hall. She’s performed with the Queensborough Symphony, Riverside Orchestra, Great Neck Philharmonic, Bay Area Symphony, and Harlem Dance Theatre. She’s won numerous competitions, honors, and awards such as the Eugene B. Kahn Memorial Scholarship at Manhattan School of Music and also the Tilles Music Scholarship three consecutive years for her participation in the C. W. Post Chamber Music Festival.

She started studying violin at age 4 with Yukaka Tarum in Queens, New York. She spent seven summers at the Perlman Music Program in the Hamptons and eight years studying with Patinka Kopec at the Manhattan School of Music.

“At age fourteen, I had the best day of my life to date. I performed with Itzhak Perlman, Pinchas Zukerman, and the Israel Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall. I had been chosen as one among thirty-five of the top young string players in the world to be part of the Perlman Music Program. I got on stage and never wanted to leave. I wanted the performance to last forever.”

Meena practiced about three hours a day, one hour on technique and two on repertoire. Her Saturdays were spent at music school. She says, “I rarely had time to go to parties or talk daily with friends on the phone, which is a sacrifice when you’re a teen. I also sacrificed my love for sports, because I can’t afford the time or the risk of injury.”

Meena credits her musical achievement to family support, especially from her mom who has driven her the long distance to and from lessons. “My mother has always been backstage with me before all my performances, cheering me on and giving me confidence. She has encouraged me to follow my heart and my dream and to always strive to be better.” Meena adds, “My home life has always been disciplined. I have learned to get my work done before having fun. I’ve also learned how to prioritize and schedule myself to work most efficiently.”

Meena explains, “The violin started as something I enjoyed performing and traveling all over the world with it. I didn’t know that I couldn’t live without it until around age thirteen or fourteen. I realized that it was my passion when it started to touch me so deeply inside. I got the chills and goose bumps when I played and listened to music. Then, I realized that I could achieve a level of success with it. I haven’t always had confidence in myself and in the violin, so, I never thought it might be what I wanted for my life. I think I always played because I love it. I never played to be the best.”

Meena’s Advice:  “Never be discouraged. There are going to be times when the pressure is very high and the competition gets tough, but it is so important to follow your heart and your passion. It will bring the highest level of success, because you are doing what you love. It is hard to compare yourself to people who are the best in your field. I always felt like I wasn’t good enough. I remember telling my teacher that I just didn’t think I could be a musician, because I was comparing myself to everyone else all the time, and that discouraged me. What I came to realize is that everyone has something unique to offer, including myself. It isn’t about who can play Paganini the fastest. It’s about expressing oneself and what is inside. Therefore, you can never compare yourself to anyone else. So, now whenever I doubt myself, I remind myself of that.”

(Plainview, New York: 2002)

Nominated and Written by Jourdan Urbach