Senior Spotlight: Tahan Mathew

Tahan Mathew is a four-year member of VHS’s Choir, as well as participating in the jazz group. During his tenure with VHS Choir, he has participated in numerous shows and helped the group best the other schools in the district on numerous occasions. After graduation, Tahan plans to major in engineering and attend a four-year university in California. 

Q: When and why did you first start doing choir?

I joined in 4th grade because my sister was in her high school choir and because I love music and singing.

Q: What is your favorite aspect of choir?

I enjoy performing as a group in front of an audience because it's fun to share art in front of others.

Q: Do you have a favorite memory of being part of the school’s choir?

My favorite memory is getting to perform with the Santa Clarita Master Chorale, since they’re a prestigious choir and I learned so much from being around them. I learned how to better prepare for performances and vocal techniques. 

Q: As a senior, how do you influence and mentor younger members?

I help my peers with pitch notes, I try to teach them how to read music, and techniques on how to sing the notes properly. In general, I try to teach them the general concepts of choir. And shout out Casey Nixon!

Q: Why would you recommend joining the choir to other students?

You should join choir because it's a great, welcoming community full of people who are willing to learn and sing music. If you have a passion for music, I highly recommend anyone to join. 

Q: Do you have a favorite piece of music or album to listen to?

My favorite album is called An Evening With Silk Sonic by Bruno Mars and Anderson Paak. I love the balance between R&B and soul, and how the two singers' voices contrast each other. My all-time favorite singer is Bruno Mars and my favorite song of his is “Treasure”.

Q: Is there someone you look up to in choir, past or present?

I look up to Jonathan McPhee because he taught himself everything about music, fully self taught, and writes and ranges his own music. He even won a national award, the Downbeat Award. 

Q: Do you have any passions outside of school?

I love watching and playing basketball with my friends, my favorite team is the Golden State Warriors and my favorite player is Stephen Curry. I also enjoy watching F1 due to the science behind how the cars work, which inspired me to want to become an engineer and in the future work in F1 or the motorsport field.  

Q: What's your favorite animal? 

My favorite animal is the tiger because when I was in 2nd grade I was assigned to make a model of a tiger for a school project. 

Q: What is your favorite movie or other piece of media? 

My two favorite movies are Remember the Titans and Rush Hour. Remember the Titans is such a riveting story about not just sports, but prejudice and racism.

Q: Do you have a dream vacation destination?

I would love to visit Japan one day because it seems like such a nice place to tour, has amazing food, and overall has many different, interesting things. 

Q: Do you have a favorite musical?

My favorite musical is Hamilton because when I moved to America it was the first musical I ever experienced. I also adore Lin Manuel-Miranda’s musical style. 

Q:What’s your favorite food?

My favorite food is either pizza or sushi.

Q: What will you miss most about Valencia High School once you graduate?

I will miss all the lifelong friends that I have made, saying hi and talking to them everyday is something I will definitely miss.