Dr. Maya Shankar

So we go in to the building.

So we go in to the building.

unannounced, uninvited, and my mom strikes up a conversation with a student in the elevator and her mom, and she very politely asks her, oh, at the end of your lesson, would you mind just introducing my daughter to your violin teacher?

unannounced, uninvited, and my mom strikes up a conversation with a student in the elevator and her mom, and she very politely asks her, oh, at the end of your lesson, would you mind just introducing my daughter to your violin teacher?

Because it would just be so wonderful if they could have a chance to connect.

Because it would just be so wonderful if they could have a chance to connect.

And they were very gracious, very kind.

And they were very gracious, very kind.

They said yes.

They said yes.

I think a lesson I've learned over the years is just how generous people can be when you just ask them if they're willing to do you a favor.

I think a lesson I've learned over the years is just how generous people can be when you just ask them if they're willing to do you a favor.

But they let us meet her teacher afterwards.

But they let us meet her teacher afterwards.

And I actually auditioned for him on the spot.

And I actually auditioned for him on the spot.

He accepted me into his summer program.

He accepted me into his summer program.

And it was only because of that intense boot camp training that summer that I think I had any chance at all of getting into Juilliard.

And it was only because of that intense boot camp training that summer that I think I had any chance at all of getting into Juilliard.