Dr. Maya Shankar

I resisted Hala for so many months, the diagnosis that my doctors were giving me and the fact that they were telling me I could never play the violin again.

I resisted Hala for so many months, the diagnosis that my doctors were giving me and the fact that they were telling me I could never play the violin again.

But ultimately, I just had to surrender at a certain point.

But ultimately, I just had to surrender at a certain point.

And, you know, the pain became too intense.

And, you know, the pain became too intense.

And yeah, I realized that, you know, my dreams were crushed and I could no longer pursue this path.

And yeah, I realized that, you know, my dreams were crushed and I could no longer pursue this path.

Absolutely.

Absolutely.

So, you know, my parents had no connections within the musical sphere.

So, you know, my parents had no connections within the musical sphere.

So my dad is a theoretical physics professor.

So my dad is a theoretical physics professor.

My mom helps immigrants get green cards to study in this country.

My mom helps immigrants get green cards to study in this country.

And they knew that I had these big dreams as a kid, but they weren't really sure how to connect the dots and how to make my Juilliard dreams come true.

And they knew that I had these big dreams as a kid, but they weren't really sure how to connect the dots and how to make my Juilliard dreams come true.

So one day my mom and I were in New York.

So one day my mom and I were in New York.