Student Spotlight: Maya Anjali Buchanan

“My favorite thing about being a student at Curtis is the sense of community. We like to listen to each other play, and go to each other’s chamber music concerts and learn each other’s music. I really love that sense of family we have.”

Prize-winning violinist Maya Anjali Buchanan, from Rapid City, South Dakota, began playing violin at age three. In this student spotlight, she shares her musical path from using a Froot Loops cereal box as an instrument to performing on the world’s most exciting stages with her violin, and discusses how her peers constantly inspire her. Ms. Buchanan first entered the Curtis Institute of Music in 2018 and received a Bachelor of Music degree in 2023. She is currently pursuing her master’s, studying violin with Ida Kavafian as the Jill and Sheldon Bonovitz Fellow.

As a young child Ms. Buchanan began Suzuki Method violin lessons at the insistence of her mother, whom she credits for igniting her journey as a musician. She recalls a pivotal moment in her childhood when she was driven home from a concert, and her father asked what her favorite part of performing was. They both were pleasantly surprised with her response—the thing she looked forward to the most was the thrill of walking onto a stage.

Named a Yamaha Young Performing Artist in 2020, Ms. Buchanan won first prize at the Crain-Maling Foundation Chicago Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Competition in 2017 and subsequently made her debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. In an effort to broaden Western classical music traditions, Ms. Buchanan unveils the music of her heritage by presenting pieces unique to her Indian ancestry, bridging her Eastern roots with her Western classical training. She enjoys showcasing works of Indian influence that reflect the form and improvisational quality of Eastern music, blending techniques of both cultures.

When Ms. Buchanan is not playing on her a c. 1730 Guarneri “del Gesù” from Cremona, generously on loan from the Stradivari Society of Chicago, she takes macro photos of insects and loves doing outreach in the community.

Visit Maya Anjali Buchanan’s official website.

Portrait photos of Ms. Buchanan courtesy of Nichole MCH Photography. Additional image of Ms. Buchanan courtesy of the Stulberg International String Competition at the Dalton Center, Western Michigan University.