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Rukma Jayaram, a class X student at the Good Shepherd Convent,
Nungambakkam, Chennai, has won many accolades in the field of
music, her specialisation being in Piano. She was recently certified,
as the world's number one in the grade 8 Piano examination conducted
by Trinity College of Music, London.
At what age did you start learning the
Piano?
I started when I was three years old. My mother used to teach me
small-small tunes. And when I turned five, I started going to a
regular teacher.
How did you come to choose the piano as
your instrument?
There was always a piano at home. And my mother used to play it
often. Once I started going to a regular teacher, my interest increased.
How much time do you spend on practicing
the piano everyday?
At the Grade 8 level, two hours a day is a must, plus as many hours
as possible. But sometimes I get held up in school with some work
and I am not able to give the required two hours. So what I do is
come back and practice for say half-an-hour. But it is not the quantity
but the quality that matters. But the important thing is that you
have to put in work every day. Be it for 15 minutes or half an hour.
Who has inspired you the most?
 My
mother has been the biggest source of my inspiration. Besides my
mother, my father, my brother, friends, my school Principal and
teachers, my maternal grandparents have been a great source of inspiration.
Particularly my grandfather. The piano we have at home was presented
to my grandmother by my grandfather, and it came down to me through
my mother.
Have you composed any pieces of your own?
Yes I have started composing, but have not put them down in paper
so far.
Who is your favourite composer?
I like Mozart, Beethovan, Bach, Chekovsky and Mendelson.
What are your future plans?
Academically, I wanted to get into medicine, but since music is
my main preoccupation, it is not possible for me to give the kind
of time required for medical studies. So I plan to get into journalism.
And music-wise, I plan to do my ATCL, LTCL after I am 18, since
that is the eligibility age.
How have you been able to balance studies
and piano so far?
 Its
been like going to two different schools. But I guess it is just
a matter of being disciplined and organised.
What are your other Interests apart from
piano?
Reading, chatting with my mother, my friends and listening to a
lot of music.
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3:42:41 AM 
