鈥極ur Universal Language鈥�
By Trent Shadid
榴莲直播 prides itself on being an institution that encourages and cultivates special relationships that transcend the day-to-day requirements of pursuing a degree. In the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music, the relationship between Nazira Wali and Dr. Kimberly Patterson exemplifies that type of unique connection.
Wali, a junior at the UofM from Afghanistan, is working on a Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance degree under the guidance of Patterson, an associate professor of cello. Their relationship goes back to 2014 when Patterson traveled to Wali鈥檚 home country as part of a music education program through the U.S. Department of State.
As a 14-year-old student at the Afghanistan National Institute of Music, Wali captured Patterson鈥檚 attention during a two-week stay in the Afghan capital of Kabul. Wali had found her love for music there after moving away from most of her family in Nuristan, a remote province in northeast Afghanistan, when she was only 6 years old.
鈥淭he students there just craved information,鈥� Patterson said. 鈥淚 met Nazira and I could tell immediately that she had an ear for music. She had a natural way around the instrument and craved more information.鈥�
They stayed in touch and coordinated virtual lessons from opposite sides of the world throughout Wali鈥檚 teenage years. At 19, Wali moved to the United States through a sponsor in Charlotte, North Carolina, to chase her educational and musical dreams.
鈥淎s soon as I knew she was in the States, I made every effort to get her into the cello program here at the University of Memphis,鈥� Patterson said.
Wali graduated from Piedmont Community College in the spring of 2021, gaining the required course credits and English-language competency to earn entrance to the UofM that fall.
鈥淚t was hard to be away from my friends and family when I first came to the United States, but I was so happy to get the education that I really wanted,鈥� Wali said. 鈥淚 wanted to be here because of Dr. Patterson. I knew if I could continue my studies with her, I could learn so much more. She understands me. She鈥檚 a mentor both in my musical life and personal life.鈥�
The ongoing political turmoil and rights crisis in Afghanistan are difficult realities that remain consistently on Wali鈥檚 mind. She worries about her family and friends daily.
鈥淪he鈥檚 so strong and such a survivor,鈥� Patterson said. 鈥淗er first year was incredibly difficult and emotional given the situation back home. Despite having endured so much, she has always shown up to every lesson and given her best effort. She鈥檚 the strongest person I know.鈥�
Wali has found a home away from home in the U.S. performing with the Afghan-American Foundation. The group performed in Washington, D.C., in March, which led to an impromptu invitation to attend a White House reception in celebration of the Persian New Year of Nowruz. It was her second trip to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, which is just one of many well-known places she鈥檚 seen through her music.
As of March 2023, Wali had performed in nine countries 鈥� Germany, Switzerland, India, China, UAE, Oman, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and the United States. She鈥檚 performed at Carnegie Hall, the Smithsonian and the Kennedy Center;and at the World Economic Forum and the Aspen Ideas Festival.
鈥淪he goes to the White House and she is kind of thinking, 鈥榙oesn鈥檛 everyone get to come here?,鈥� because she鈥檚 already been twice,鈥� Patterson said. 鈥淗er future is bright. She鈥檚 had Yo-Yo Ma, the preeminent cellist in the world, offer to help her personally. She needs more time at the instrument, like we all do, but the sky is the limit in terms of what she wants to accomplish.鈥�
As she continues her cello studies, Wali strives to act as an ambassador for Afghan music and musicians.
鈥淎fghan music is so vibrant and it鈥檚 my goal to introduce it to the world,鈥� Wali said. 鈥淚 love that I鈥檝e met people from different backgrounds here at the University of Memphis and that we can come together through creating and making music.
鈥淥ur communication is not limited by language 鈥� music is our universal language.鈥�