Pass It On! Scholars Award

Darius Kalantari (2024)

New York based cellist Darius Kalantari has been thrilling audiences for his entire life, all 11 years of it! Darius is a featured cellist on 2 GRAMMY® Award winning albums, and 1 Latin Grammy Nominated album.

In 2023, at 10 years old, Darius made his Carnegie Hall debut and shortly after, he played the National Anthem at the United Center for 20,000 people at a Chicago Bulls game. In November of the same year, he performed the first movement of Haydn’s Cello Concerto as a soloist with the University of Central Oklahoma’s Chamber Orchestra, and won the New York Stringendo Concerto Competition. As part of Lucy Kalantari and the Jazz Cats, he frequently tours with them around the country.

Currently studying with Erich Schoen René, Darius is truly a product of his environment. He has been blessed to grow up in the melting pot of New York City and be inspired by the art and music of the cultures of the world. It is clear to all who know Darius that he has a special connection with the cello, and he has not stopped since he picked it up at the age of 3, except for homework, basketball and LEGOs.

Darius' Essay:

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!