The Pass It On! Scholars Award is given each fall to a high school senior, university, or college student, selected by CMN’s Pass It On Project Reviewers as the candidate most likely, throughout their lifetime, to continue celebrating the positive power of music in the lives of children and to recognize the importance of networking and sharing knowledge, music, ideas, and songs.
Hello! My name is Darius Kalantari. Ever since I can remember, children’s music has surrounded me. It’s literally been my life, from listening to it on the radio on the way to school or performing with my mom’s band, Lucy Kalantari and the Jazz Cats. I feel that [especially] while you’re young, it really helps to have music that you can connect to, feel, and/or relate to.
My goal has always been (and will continue to be) inspiring young aspiring musicians to finally get the courage to pick up an instrument and play their hearts out. As a cellist myself, I was inspired by other people, a group by the name of 2CELLOS. I would pick up my little ukulele and drumstick and pretend it was a cello, until one day, my mom said I could have a real cello. I strongly believe that the personality and attitude of a child depends on the music they listen to. That’s true of most people, actually, not just kids. Coming from me as a much younger kid than a lot of the award recipients, I think that if a kid has the right music to listen to, that will drastically change their future in a good way.
I personally am exposed to the children’s music community a lot, and never have I met such a group of genuinely happy, lively, and positive people. Not only does children’s music help kids, it also helps the people who make it. And there’s so much of it! I don’t think my knowledge has even scratched the surface! I’ve always loved seeing the looks on kids’ faces when they are so engaged in the shows. I think that children’s music could change kids’ lives and promote positivity in our future generations. Keep at it, Children’s Music Network!