18-year-old music prodigy Tiara Abraham makes history
- Music Top Stories
Arun Kumar- 0
- 4 minutes read
Tiara Abraham (second from right), with her mother Taji (right), brother Tanishq (left) and father Bijou, after graduating with a master’s degree in music from Indiana University on May 4, 2024. Photo credit: Taji Abraham
Indian American Tiara Abraham becomes the youngest student to earn a master’s degree across all seven Indiana University campuses
Tiara Thankam Abraham, an 18-year-old Indian American music prodigy, has made history by becoming the youngest student to earn a master’s degree across all seven Indiana University campuses statewide. She achieved this milestone, showcasing her exceptional vocal talent and musical genius, on May 3 even before getting her driver’s license.
“I’m overwhelmed with joy and gratitude for this achievement,” said the teen with a Master of Music degree. “It’s been a challenging but rewarding journey, and I’m proud to have earned my Master’s Degree at such a young age.”
Abraham’s journey to this achievement has been nothing short of remarkable. At just 16, the youngest Regents Scholar at University of California, Davis graduated summa cum laude Bachelor of Arts in Music.
She then moved from California to Indiana to pursue her Master of Music in vocal performance at the prestigious Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. Throughout her academic career, Abraham maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA, demonstrating her passion for learning, and commitment to hard work and excellence.
READ: Tiara Abraham, 16-year-old musical genius with a bachelor’s degree (July 15, 2022)
“I have seen the problems Tiara faced during the two years, so seeing her succeed and get her Master’s degree is emotional, a very happy day for our family,” said Abraham’s mother Dr. Taji Abraham, a veterinarian-turned-stay-at-home mom and homeschool teacher.
“Tiara’s dedication and hard work are truly commendable,” said her father, Bijou Abraham, a software engineer who splits his time between California and Indiana to be with his wife and daughter. “We are incredibly proud of her accomplishments and look forward to seeing her continue to succeed in the future.”
Abraham’s voice teacher Prof. Patricia Stiles, an IU Professor of Music (Voice) who’s worked with Tiara for the last two years of her Master’s was equally excited to see her youngest student graduate. During the two years of musical education with her, she was impressed with Tiara’s level of maturity, her poise, her diction and her ability to learn any repertoire quickly.
As a (Western) classical voice student, it is expected to learn and sing in French, German, Italian, Latin and English. And sometimes the repertoire includes other foreign languages as Spanish, Russian, and Swedish, which Tiara included in her recent 2nd year Master’s Recital.
READ: Tiara Abraham, 15, soprano prodigy, receives YoungArts award (December 15, 2021)
“She wants to learn, she wants to grow. She wants to do the best she can do,” added Patricia Stiles. “You don’t come across a talent like Tiara often, I am proud to be her voice teacher and to have been part of her musical growth.”
In addition to her excellent academic achievements, Tiara is an accomplished singer who began classical voice training at the age of seven. She has performed at renowned venues such as Carnegie Hall, Musikverein, and the Vatican and won several national and international awards.
READ: After graduating from high school at 13, Indian American Tiara Abraham set to start college full time (December 21, 2019)
At only 17, she debuted her first operatic role ‘Zerlina’ in Mozart’s opera ‘Don Giovanni’ in Italy. Despite her young age, Abraham is determined to pursue her passion for opera and classical voice and hopes to perform in renowned opera houses around the world. “My dream job is to perform around the world in established opera houses and just make people happy with my voice,” she said.
Moving forward, in Fall 2024, Abraham continues her studies at Indiana University for her doctorate – Doctor of Music in Music Literature and Performance, becoming the youngest at 18 to join the doctoral program at one of the top music schools in the country, setting her sights on a bright and promising future in the world of music.
READ: Indian American prodigy Tiara Abraham performs on Steve Harvey Show (April 5, 2017)
“I believe in the power of music to bring joy and happiness to people’s lives,” said Abraham. “I am grateful for the opportunities I have been given and excited for what the future holds.”