A few weeks ago, a middle school singer-songwriter attending Hallie Wells Middle School released her first single on all major streaming platforms. Eighth-grade student Saanvi Purohit has been singing since she can remember, and her song “Did You Know?” is already receiving significant attention on social media platforms.
Over the summer, Purohit spent countless hours composing, recording, and editing music tracks. Months of dedication and hard work reinforced her song’s central message: resilience and overcoming challenges even when situations seem impossible.
“When I was young, I had trouble forming words and sentences, but that never stopped me from singing,” Purohit said. “As I worked on my speech, singing really helped me along the way, and in my heart, I have a special place for music in general.”
Throughout her years in middle school, Purohit has been involved in her school’s musical performances, chorus, and vocal lessons. Last year, she received the Best Vocalist Award out of many students attending the countywide music ‘Festival’ – which took place at King’s Dominion the past spring. Outside of school, she volunteers to sing at local retirement homes and farmers’ markets. She also plays piano and guitar at cafes in Montgomery County. Through these experiences, she feels more connected to her peers and builds friendships with other students who have listened to her music.
“Saanvi is a friend who is always there when I need her, and she is always making sure no one is left out. Her singing is awesome, and she is super talented,” Purohit’s friend and classmate Bhuvana Tallapaneni said. “She works really hard in all that she does, and I know that she is going to go places.”
Although performing comes with external anxiety, Saanvi is working to overcome these fears.
“I wrote this song mostly for myself originally, because I had trouble with trying to face challenges instead of avoiding them,” Purohit said. “Eventually, it turned into a song telling the listeners to not avoid their problems, and to go at them.”
The performing arts have always fostered a safe space for expression and inspired growth among young people. In Montgomery County, aspiring artists and students interested in theater are making waves by finding innovative ways to share their passion for music.
“These days, music is a part of almost all lives, adolescent and adult. When students learn how to capture the music they hear all around them, it opens up so many possibilities for learning and connecting with their peers,” Hallie Wells student Vivienne Lee said.
Exploring creative outlets has also proven to be essential for building confidence and long-lasting friendships. “Musical theater may be the best decision I’ve made in my middle school career,” Lee said. “Not only did it allow me to explore my interests in a professional environment, but it also gave me the opportunity to connect with students my age who share my passion for the performing arts, and whom I now consider some of my closest friends.”
According to the America for the Arts Foundation, students who take four years of arts and music classes score significantly higher averages on standardized tests and perform better in schools.
Article by: Anshi Purohit
Graphic by: Selena Li