An 18-year-old music prodigy is writing history this year.
Tiara Abraham received her master’s degree from Indiana University on Friday. This achievement makes her the youngest to do so at all IU campuses statewide as of 2024, and next up is her doctorate.
“Today was a whirlwind of emotions. It was full of joy,” Abraham said.
The teen graduated from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music with a master’s degree in vocal music. She accomplished it all before she even got her driver’s license.
“A lot of hard work and perseverance, just like a lot of other graduates. That’s how we got here, and I’m just really proud of myself,” she said.
The California teen moved across the country with her mother at age 16 to enter the IU master’s program in music, one of the top schools in the world.
“I started college at the age of seven, community college, so I definitely got used to being the youngest in class,” she said.
Now, she is the youngest person to earn this degree across all IU campuses in 2024, and has done so throughout her academic career with a 4.0 GPA.
“We are very proud of her. Completing a master’s degree at such a young age is amazing. This is her time,” said her father, Bijou Abraham.
“It’s just that looking back on the last two years, the challenges she had and how she persevered. She is courageous and has worked hard,” her mother, Dr. Taji Abraham, added. “Now it’s time for her to celebrate and we’re just happy to see that success.”
Tiara Abraham joined Mensa at age 4, started college at age 7, and celebrated her Sweet 16 with a bachelor’s degree from UC Davis in California.
It is the same school where her elder brother Tanishq received his PhD at the age of 19.
For Abraham, it’s not just about reading the textbooks. The child prodigy also has a passion for music. She started classical voice training when she was only 7 years old.
“Since then I’ve performed all over the world. I’ve performed at Carnegie Hall, and internationally in Italy and the Vatican. It’s been so fun to be able to perform because it’s something I really enjoy,” Abraham said. .
Although the teenager is used to being the youngest in the room, that is not always easy when it comes to classical music.
“A lot of times some people will kind of reject me because they say I’m too young,” she said.
The teenager has not let this discourage her from learning more over the years.
“She wants to learn. She wants to grow. She wants to be right, we have at least four or five languages. We have to be able to sing, like French, Italian, German, English and sometimes Spanish,” Patricia Stiles explains. , an IU professor of music (voice) who has worked with Abraham for the past two years.
“She just wants it to be good; she wants to do the best she can,” she added.
Now the teenager has her sights set on an even brighter future.
“I’m staying here at Indiana University for my PhD.”
After that, the teenager wants to continue breaking down barriers on the big stage.
“My dream job is to perform all over the world in established opera houses and make people happy with my voice,” she said.
“I really believe in the power of music, and I’m blessed with a beautiful voice, and I just want to take advantage of that,” she said.
Over the years, Abraham has been invited to sing at various commencement ceremonies in many famous places. She will sing the national anthem at IU’s undergraduate ceremony on Saturday.
Source: Saffron Restaurant, Author: Vaseline
