蘑菇AV

2026 BMus with a concentration in Composition

Composing herself

Shanti Sivarulrasa鈥檚 music career has been shaped by discipline, discovery, and the drive to develop her own compositional voice.

She began studying violin at a young age participating in youth ensembles, festivals, and competitions. 鈥淭he violin was my first connection to the world of music,鈥� says Shanti, 鈥渁nd I absolutely adored playing it.鈥�

In her teenage years, she discovered composition and fell in love.

鈥淚t really excited me that I could create music that was completely my own, where I could be free to express my ideas and to develop my own artistic voice,鈥� says Shanti. Graduating from high school, she set her sights on an undergraduate degree in composition.

At 蘑菇AV鈥檚 Fountain School of Performing Arts, Shanti spent her first two years in the general music program, and then pivoted to the composition concentration in her third and fourth years.

鈥淟ooking back, I am really glad that I started in the general program, because violin is such an important foundation for what I do in composition,鈥� she says. 鈥淎s a composer, I still play violin a lot, but I mostly enjoy performing contemporary music.鈥�

Shanti performing her violin solo, with DalSymphony, Concerto Night 2023 (photo: Kate Hayter)

Taking centre stage, backed by an orchestra

Early on, Shanti said yes to opportunities with the DalSymphony Orchestra that supported her artistic growth and leadership abilities. She performed as a soloist from her first year, an unusual accomplishment, while also serving as Concertmaster for the orchestra.

鈥淭he entire process of performing in Concerto Night - the audition, the rehearsals, and the concert itself - is a ton of work, but super rewarding鈥� says Shanti.

In her final year, her soloist and composer worlds beautifully collided. She premiered her original work Chrysalis for solo violin and orchestra as part of the Open Waters Festival with Symphony Nova Scotia playing her work.

鈥淚t was an incredible experience to get to work with a professional orchestra both as a soloist and composer at the same time.鈥� she says.

Ready when opportunities arise

Shanti credits the Fountain School鈥檚 faculty鈥檚 supportive approach with giving her the space to explore and develop her work and compositional voice. 鈥淩ather than imposing style constraints or offering strict criticism,鈥� she says, 鈥渙ur professors help guide us to more clearly express own unique artistic vision.鈥�

Both faculty and guest artists teach practical tools that set graduates up to succeed in crafting successful arts careers. 鈥淲e are really lucky to have professors who teach us how to succeed as working musicians out in the world,鈥� says Shanti. 鈥淭he faculty is always happy to offer advice on finding opportunities, building a resume, and even grant writing.鈥�

Financial support has also played an important role in allowing her to commit fully to her studies while reinforcing her sense of belonging within the Fountain School community. She鈥檚 received 16 scholarships throughout her undergraduate degree.

鈥淭he Fountain School offers an incredible amount of support,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 am honoured to have been a two-time recipient of the Jay-Maclellan Family Award for Music Leadership, and a three-time recipient of the Fountain Performing Arts Prize in Music.鈥�

Shanti performing at Concerto Night 2024, with DalSymphony. (photo: Kate Hayter)

What鈥檚 next?

This fall, Shanti begins the Master of Music program at the University of Ottawa, studying with Dr. Dinuk Wijeratne, one of her favourite composers. 鈥淚 am really looking forward to this new chapter and to being back in my hometown!鈥�

Shanti leaves 蘑菇AV with a strong foundation, her own compositional voice, and a continued willingness to say yes to collaborative opportunities.

鈥淚鈥檝e had the unique advantage of being in a school that contains diverse arts disciplines, not just music,鈥� says Shanti. 鈥淭he Fountain School is the perfect place for inter-disciplinary collaboration with your peers. I鈥檝e built connections with classmates that will last a lifetime.鈥�