Hometown:
Evansville, Indiana, USA
Education:
University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music , DMA (2023– Present)
New England Conservatory of Music, MM (2018– 2020)
Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, BM, (2014-2018)
Bio:
Pandit is an oboist of Indian origin. A former oboist for the Symphony Orchestra of India, Pandit has performed at numerous classical music festivals, including the Pacific Music Festival in Japan, and Chautauqua.
What inspired you to become a musician?
I always loved singing as a child to old Bollywood soundtracks. That passion for music itself led me to the oboe. The rest unfolded naturally from there, with the guidance of excellent teachers.
Who are your all-time favorite composers and/or pieces? Why?
I love playing anything by Ravel and Brahms. Perhaps my favorite performance was Brahms Violin Concerto and Hindemith’s Matthias The Painter.
What is an interesting fact about you and/or your instrument?
I played for the Symphony Orchestra of India in Mumbai, India for a year.
When taking a break from music-making, what is your favorite thing to do?
I love to visit museums and try new foods.
Why did you choose the NRO?
I chose NRO because I wish to play more repertoire at this phase of my life, and I believe NRO is a shining example of how all music festivals should be run: tuition-free with stipend. I find it absurd that musicians of a high caliber are expected to pay to perform for a summer. I think we should do better in this regard in the classical music world. Tuition-free + stipend should be the norm and not the exception. It’s a matter of self-respect.