USA (Commonwealth Union)_ Vibha Janakiraman, a Pennsylvania teenager, embarked on her violin journey at the tender age of six. Since then, this 17-year-old Indian American prodigy from West Chester has graced numerous prestigious stages, solidifying her reputation as a brilliant musician. Notably, she was selected as one of this year’s US Presidential Scholars in the arts. Recently, she achieved yet another remarkable feat when she performed at the White House during the official state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
On this momentous occasion, Janakiraman mesmerized the audience with her rendition of Kreisler’s Recitativo and Scherzo. Expressing her profound gratitude for the opportunity, Janakiraman took to Instagram to convey her sentiments. She wrote, “What an honor and privilege to perform at the White House at the arrival ceremony of Prime Minister Modi and to be a representative of the Indian American community. I had the most inspiring performance view.”
Having completed her studies at the pre-college division of the renowned Juilliard School earlier this year, Janakiraman honed her violin skills at the Settlement Music School. As a recent graduate of the PA Leadership Charter School, she is poised to embark on her undergraduate journey at Juilliard in the coming fall, where she will have the privilege of studying under the tutelage of esteemed instructors Catherine Cho and Itzhak Perlman. Notably, Janakiraman currently plays a 1855 J.B. Vuillaume violin on loan through the Tarisio Trust.
Prior to her remarkable White House performance, Janakiraman showcased her talent as a member of the Gray Charitable Trust Advanced Scholarship Piano Trio at the Settlement School. Moreover, she has captivated audiences as a soloist, collaborating with numerous orchestras within the Philadelphia region. Her achievements are detailed in her profile on From the Top, a charitable organization committed to recognizing and honoring the narratives, talents, and character of young classical musicians. The profile highlights her deep affinity for both Western and South Indian classical music, as well as her enthusiasm for studying mathematics and Sanskrit.
In recognition of her exceptional talent, Janakiraman was awarded the Estella Hillersohn scholarship by the Ambler Symphony in 2018. Additionally, she triumphed as the winner of the 2019 Philadelphia Young Artists Orchestra competition, earning her the opportunity to perform as a soloist with the Orchestra. In addition to Janakiraman’s awe-inspiring performance, the White House ceremony featured Penn Masala, the very first South Asian A cappella group in the world. Infusing the event with a touch of Indian flavor, the group delighted the audience with their rendition of the most famous Bollywood number, “Chhaiya Chhaiya” from the 1998 film “Dil Se.”
