Meet Nirvana

Nirvana says she was shy when she was younger. “I was very nervous when I played piano, I had shaky hands. I really struggled to be outgoing and make friends which came from some bullying when I was at school. When I first came to SoM, I was nervous but always left with a smile on my face…  SoM made me feel like it was ok to be myself and because of that I grew and found who I was through music. SoM is the reason for that, giving me a way to express myself.

She shared her first Open Mic experience that could have been discouraging but instead turned into a real moment of learning, because of an intuitive and caring SoM staff member. “I was in grade 4, I performed and flopped. I played the wrong chords, I was singing off key, and it was really embarrassing.”  But the MC brought her back on and invited her to take another shot, encouraging the crowd to cheer her on, and she did a way better performance. “I got through the song without crying.” She remembers fondly that experience made her realize that it’s “ok to be you unconditionally.”

Nirvana has come a long way since then. This year she had the chance to produce one of her original songs with the help of her class, led by Program Manager and Teaching Artist Justin Gorrie. “All this confidence from people enjoying my originals has inspired me to write more,” she explains. One of her songs Lifeline was “inspired by a dark spot in my life when I really struggled with depression and how I just wanted a helping hand to take me out and be my lifeline. Music is my therapy and to be able to talk about moments like that by song, it does so much… and helps you a lot.” 

For her grad capstone project, Nirvana wanted to fundraise for SoM. With her friends, they sold baked goods while busking outside their school and at Skytrain stations. Her friends baked and she sang. Together, they raised $700 for the school. It all comes full circle as new students will benefit from her support and have a chance to shine their light in the world.