Pop-Up Performance: Shashank Krishnan

Shashank Krishnan is a 16-year-old student at Saguaro High School in Scottsdale with a passion for music that extends far beyond the stage. As founder of Sonoran Strings LLC, Krishnan attempts to channel his talent into service. He teaches in underprivileged communities and brings the joy of music to seniors in living centers and veterans’ homes. His outreach includes performances at museums, middle schools, public events, and festivals. With a decade of classical violin training and a deep love for connecting with audiences, Krishnan believes that music has the power to heal, inspire, and bring people together. Krishnan began his violin training under Croatian violinist Danica Terzic and now learns from soloist Steven Moeckel. He recently won second place in the Arizona International Music Competition and the merit prize in the OPUS Music Competition. He was awarded the National Forum Music Festival Outstanding Musician Award for his solo work as concertmaster. He is excited to showcase his talents in a series of performances in Croatia and Herzegovina this summer.

Miriam Hickman completed her doctor of musical arts degree at Arizona State University, where she was a faculty associate in accompanying for several years. Hickman has served as a staff pianist for the International Trumpet Guild Conference, the International Tuba and Euphonium Conference, the International Double Reed Society Conference, and the Southwest Regional Conference of the World Saxophone Congress. She has also collaborated with some of the world’s greatest soloists. Hickman received her master of music degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. In addition to her active freelance career, she is also the organist at Church of the Epiphany in Tempe and is the owner of Classic Touch Music Academy, where she teaches privately.