When at the crossroads of choosing a career, one usually traverses the beaten path. There are a few who choose the road less taken. And there are still others who decide to go down both paths, one at a time. One such person is 25-year-old Miracle Ward who worked as a physiotherapist, before she heeded her true calling to be a music teacher.
Miracle says: “As a little girl I had wanted to be a nurse. But one day my grandma had a stroke and so I used to visit her frequently in the hospital. I would see a physiotherapist making her do exercises and I was inspired to be a physiotherapist.”
On completion of her physiotherapy course at the HOSMAT Educational Institute, Bangalore, Miracle worked at the Sagar Apollo Hospital before she decided to dedicate herself entirely to teaching music at the Bishop Cotton Boys High School.
Her passion for music began as a child. Miracle started singing from the age of four and learning the piano when she was eight. She has completed her eighth grade in solo piano from the Royal School of Music and has taken exams in the Trinity School of Music up to grade five. Her father, Valentine Ward, identified her talent in singing at a young age and encouraged her to pursue training in piano.
This apart, the young singer has been a part of the Baldwin Girl's High School music team, the Jyothi Nivas College Choir and Acoustic team that has performed in several national-level competitions. Miracle belonged to ‘Glorious' choir for five years performing in different parts of the country. She used to be a part of the ‘Rhythm and Groove' choir and bands like Reverb, Red Connection and the NFC (Nuts for Christ). She also sang for the Levis ‘Ones 2 watch' concerts in Bangalore. She is presently part of The Firebrands, a Gospel band and the Richmond Town Methodist Church choir, where she is also the pianist and organist.
According to Miracle, “It is important to spot talent young. This is when a child's inherent skills can be honed. We are so busy focusing only on academics that we fail to encourage a child to nurture his other talents.”
Having trained under highly accomplished musicians in the city such as Sabina Rego, David Sebastian, Preetham Koilpillai and Gita Chacko, Miracle thinks, “I am able to impart what I have learned to those I teach. It is important to receive training from the best of musicians. I don't think there is a better way of contributing to society than by imparting knowledge and education.”
“The real satisfaction,” she says, “comes from seeing the little children perform on the stage at the age of four.” She does not deny that there are challenges that come with a career like this. She explains: “One of the biggest challenges I face in teaching the little ones is to hold their attention and to teach them the art of singing, the expression of words and sounds.”
Miracle has also been teaching piano for the last six years at the St. Marks School of Music, Bangalore, and spends a great deal of time training and sending students up for music exams in The Royal School of Music and The Trinity College of Music, London, both in theory of music and practicals in different grades.”
Any regrets, quitting her physiotherapy job? “I do not have any regrets as I make use of my knowledge whenever required and in any emergency. In this way I'm still making use of my degree.”
For all those whose inclination is towards music, Miracle suggests: “It is always good to follow your heart. If you know in your heart that you need to be doing music full time and that's what your calling is, then go right ahead and don't hesitate because you will find that you'll be happy doing what you do best.”
This column features those who choose to veer off the beaten path.
