18-year-old Indian-American Music Prodigy Tiara Abraham Youngest to Earn Master’s Degree

BLOOMINGTON, IN (May 17, 2024) – Tiara Thankam Abraham, an 18-year-old Indian-American music prodigy, has made history over the weekend by earning her graduate degree - Master’s Degree from Indiana University (IU) on May 3, 2024. Tiara's accomplishment marks her as the youngest student to achieve this milestone in 2024 across all seven Indiana University campuses statewide, showcasing her exceptional vocal talent and musical genius. She accomplished it all before even 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”, Tiara said.Tiara's journey to this achievement has been nothing short of remarkable. At just 16, the youngest Regents Scholar at University of California, Davis graduating summa cum laude Bachelor of Arts in Music, moved from California to Indiana with her mother to pursue her Master of Music in vocal performance at the prestigious Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. Throughout her academic career, Tiara maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA, demonstrating her passion for learning, and commitment to hard work and excellence.Tiara’s mother Dr. Taji Abraham, a veterinarian-turned-stay-at-home mom and homeschool teacher, was moved to tears seeing her daughter receive her Master’s degree. She said “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” “I wished my parents were here to see this, especially my mom, Dr. Thankam Mathew, she was there for all Tiara’s graduations, recitals and concerts but recently passed away. We are sure her grandparents looked down with happiness but I am glad my sister Dr. Trini Mathew came down from Michigan for the graduation”."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."
 

Her big brother Dr. Tanishq Abraham who created history last year when he received his PhD in biomedical engineering at 19, excited and cheered on for his younger sister when she received her Masters of Music degree. “We are a family of scientists, engineers and doctors but believe me, getting a degree in music is tough. It’s not just singing and playing a musical instrument, it is much more than that.” “If you can get through the music theory and music history classes, it’s great, but it is amazing Tiara aced those tough courses.” Tanishq was curious to see what was written in the 30-page long research paper for her vocal pedagogy course. After reading the first few pages, he said “This is really good, you should get it published in a good music journal or conference.”Tiara’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. “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”, said Prof. Patricia Stiles.In addition to her excellent academic achievements, Tiara is an accomplished singer who began classical voice training at the age of 7. She has performed at renowned venues such as Carnegie Hall, Musikverein, and the Vatican and won several national and international awards.At only 17, she debuted her first operatic role ‘Zerlina’ in Mozart’s opera ‘Don Giovanni’ in Italy. Being a young opera singer with a prodigious soprano talent comes with a set of challenges: preconceived ideas and norms that exists in the vocal classical arena that young students are not ready for operatic roles. Most opera performers start performing in their mid to late 20s and it is considered in the opera world that performers hit their peak in their mid to late 30s.

Tiara and her voice teachers are cognizant of the importance of taking care of her voice, choosing the right repertoire for her voice and having the right breathing and vocal techniques to support classical and operatic repertoire. Despite her young age, Tiara 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.Tiara has garnered attention for her remarkable vocal talent. Tiara has been invited to sing the National Anthem at many events like the San Francisco Giants Games, commencement ceremonies including her undergrad commencement at Univ. of California Davis and her brother Dr. Tanishq Abraham’s grad commencement when he received his PhD at 19 from her alma mater. In the midst of campus unrests and protests during commencement ceremonies, she performed the National Anthem at Indiana University's Undergrad Ceremony on Saturday May 4th, 2024, showcasing her exceptional vocal abilities to a cheering audience. Tiara received praises from the IU President Pamela Whitten, the Provost Rahul Srivastava, IU officials and many graduating students and their families for her beautiful rendition of the National Anthem.

Moving forward, in Fall 2024, Tiara 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."I believe in the power of music to bring joy and happiness to people's lives," said Tiara. "I am grateful for the opportunities I have been given and excited for what the future holds."For more information about Tiara Abraham and her accomplishments, please contact Manager, Lucky Nine Media LLC at 916-612-0460 or bijtaj@sbcglobal.net.About Tiara Abraham:Tiara Abraham is an 18-year-old music prodigy who recently earned her Master’s Degree from Indiana University. She is the youngest student to achieve this milestone in 2024 across all IU campuses statewide. Tiara is an accomplished singer who began classical voice training at the age of 7 and has performed at prestigious venues around the world. She plans to continue her studies at Indiana University for her doctorate and pursue a career performing in opera houses globally.About Indiana University Jacobs School of Music:The Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University is the largest music school and one of top music schools in the country, considered as the most comprehensive and acclaimed institutions for the study of music. With a faculty of distinguished performers, scholars, and educators, the school offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in music performance, composition, education, and research.