Hometown:
Palatine, Illinois
Education:
Rice University Bachelor of Music 2026 (expected)
Bio:
Anika Veda, 20, is a third-year flute performance student at the Shepherd School of Music studying with Marianne Gedigian. She attended the Aspen Music Festival in 2023 and 2024, working with Mark Sparks, Demarre McGill, and Nadine Asin. Anika has performed as a soloist with the Chicago Youth Symphony and Oistrakh Symphony and was featured on NPR’s From the Top. Her previous teachers include Leone Buyse, Jennifer Gunn, and Hideko Amano.
What inspired you to become a musician?
I was very inspired growing up watching the Chicago Symphony. Being able to see such a great orchestra in action filled me with awe and helped solidify my decision to pursue music.
Name your favorite composers and/or pieces:
Maurice Ravel, Guillaume Connesson, Sergei Prokofiev
What is an interesting fact about you and/or your instrument?
I also know how to play the South Indian bamboo flute.
When taking a break from music-making, what is your favorite thing to do?
I love to read, bike, and cook!
Why did you choose the NRO?
I chose the NRO to gain experience playing a large variety of repertoire alongside talented colleagues.