Process: Anjali Shinde on 'Radiating'

Betsy Podsiadlo | 8/31/2023

When asked about the difference between working on assignments for school as opposed to focusing on her independent projects, Anjali recalled that while it felt more productive sometimes to be in school, due to the expectations of the program, she never felt like she had time to focus on the things that she actually was interested in pursuing. 

“School always gave me something arbitrary to be pushing for,” she shared. 

While leaving school definitely offered more time for Anjali to focus on the exact things that interested and excited her, finding community and collaborators still proves to be challenging. She shared that over time she came to understand that meeting people requires a bit more effort than people are accustomed to in university settings. 

“We’re so used to dorm life, you don’t have to have any effort, you don’t have to try. Really, you have to be a little bit vulnerable and a bit forward” 

Anjali shared that this search for collaborators often collides with her search for inspiration offering that “you just kind of have to talk to people and you also have to actively look for things to inspire you. I think that’s a big shift from student to post-grad life, playing an active role in finding inspiration.” 

With less arbitrary work, more time to focus, and a strategy for finding collaborators and inspiration, Anjali reassessed her approach to making a career as a flutist noting that perhaps the constant push that is modeled in academia is not truly conducive to a fulfilling and successful artistic career. 

Be sure to follow Anjali on instagram @anjaliflute

Stream Everwild EP to hear Anjali’s beautiful flute playing, some songs she co-wrote, and to view the album art she created!