Wishing to be beckoned by Broadway

“Your future looks bright,” sophomore Nina Jayashankar said when she read aloud her fortune cookie last year. The first thought that flew through her mind was the one and only Broadway.
In fact, this notion touched her heart so much, she decided to keep the slip of paper.

Ever since she was 3, Jayashankar has loved singing. Her mother supported her by introducing her to a singing teacher when she was only 6. Since then, she has shown her passion for singing by participating in musical theater and many competitions, consistently impressing her audiences.

After hearing a girl in her piano class sing, Jayashankar was inspired to sing as well. Since then, singing has “defined me,” Jayashankar said.

When Jayashankar attended Argonaut Elementary, she performed in the variety show and sang “A Whole New World” and “Reflections.”

Jayashankar continued to improve her singing skills while participating in the California Music Educators Association singing competition from grades 6-8, where she received multiple awards through the years. Last year Jayashankar was invited to perform in the prestigious National Honor Choir in March in Chicago. Only 300 students nationwide are given this privilege.

Jayashankar had the opportunity to work with some of the best young singers in the country as well as “fantastic directors who helped [her] dig deeper into the meaning of music.”

“National Honor Choir was an unforgettable experience,” Jayashankar said. “I’ve never seen music to that extent before this experience.”

Jayashankar also uses her singing skills to participate in the Children’s Musical Theater (CMT). At CMT she has starred in many musicals, including “13” and “Cinderella.”

Sophomore Kristen Lo has watched a few of Jayashankar’s performances. “Nina exceeds in being an amazing actress in CMT,” Lo said.

Musical theater has prevented her from participating in many school activities she wishes she has time for. With rehearsals after school lasting four to six hours, Jayashankar admitted that “musical theater is very time-consuming.”

Despite this difficulty, however, Jayashankar’s passion for singing has shaped her personality and view of life. Unlike many of her friends, Jayashankar said, she is “not afraid about how people will look at [her].”

She has come to express her feelings through singing at lunch despite knowing “some people will kind of look at [her] funny.”

Jayashankar’s outgoing attitude makes her feel anxious instead of frightened before large performances. She loves the excitement of singing in front of an audience.

Jayashankar has been well-supported by her friends and family throughout her singing career, and with continuous support she hopes to participate in musical theater as an adult.

The message in Jayashankar’s fortune cookie has encouraged her to try to accomplish her biggest dream of all: perform on Broadway. She imagines telling newscasters that her future was determined because of a cookie.