WCHS junior Heidi Gohari stepped foot into the world of music when she was just four years old. Now, the stage feels like her second home, where her voice blends seamlessly with the rest of the chorus in a way that leaves the audience holding their breath. A dedicated member of multiple choirs, Gohari is celebrating her eighth year as a singer with the Strathmore Youth Chorus.
“When I was four years old I started playing the piano,” Gohari said. “My mom always noticed I was humming and singing in the house, so she signed me up for chorus. I auditioned, got in and it ended up being part of my life ever since.”
Performing at Carnegie Hall when she was just 13, Gohari stepped foot onto the stage, her voice echoing through the grand halls. A lover of the opera and classical style, she trains daily to perfect pieces like “Inveniam Viam” and “Dies Irae” —classical songs sung completely in Latin. Outside of singing practice in choir, she spends two to five hours a week practicing on her own. Since taking professional singing classes, this number has increased.
“There are some aspects of my voice I cannot seem to figure out myself, so I wanted to try professional music help,” Gohari said. “Before I was independently learning, but starting last year, I wanted to take singing seriously. I am still thinking about whether or not I will become a professional singer, but I would love to major in something music related in college.”
Like many young artists, Gohari has faced her share of challenges along the way. Whether it be falling out of love with singing, being unable to balance training and schoolwork or feeling discouraged by comparing herself to other musicians, the world of music can be difficult to keep up with. Still, those around her can see just how deeply she connects to the music.
“Whenever class ends, Heidi is always humming or singing, ” WCHS junior and chorus member Zafina Matin said. “Outside of singing for the Strathmore Choir, I hear her sing and talk about musicals like Wicked, Hamilton and Kpop Demon Hunters all the time. I can tell that she really loves music and is truly passionate about it.”
After feeling lost about her love for singing in 7th grade, Gohari re-emerged and has continued to share her unique voice. Currently, you can find her singing hour-long performances at George Mason University and traveling to New York with the Strathmore Youth Chorus. From late nights memorizing song lyrics to earning straight 5s with the WCHS choir, singing has brought both intensity and harmony to her life, blending hard work and passion together like notes in a song.
“I got deeper into choir because I wanted to be heard in a group of people that also wanted to be heard, ” Gohari said. “Their voices also uplift me. When we are all working towards one specific goal of making music, it is an experience that we are all a part of.”
