Vikrant Khanvilkar, Bridgewater-Raritan High School, NJYS
SELF-EXPRESSION
“Self-expression is like a bridge between one’s emotions and their understanding. It’s essentially how we take what we feel inside and shape it into a physical form for others to interact with. For me, music is the best method for self-expression. A great example of this is our annual Playathon, where conductors from all over New Jersey Youth Symphony gather together to conduct various pieces in their unique styles. This diversity helps each conductor to express themselves freely, which results in many fun moments. Additionally, for performers, it’s intriguing to see how each conductor can completely transfer the tone of a piece purely based on their expressions.
Overall, self-expression, to me, is mainly about being authentic. It’s about choosing to show one’s true side without filtering it to fit expectations. And that honesty is what makes every form of expression powerful.”