We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Aani Nagaiah And Gage Samaddar. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Aani Nagaiah below.
Aani Nagaiah, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
Aani: When there are not many people that look like you in your environment, you feel unheard–at least, that’s how it was like for me at my predominantly-white high school. I found myself in a place where I didn’t want to speak up. So, I began to pour more of my energy into my extracurriculars, specifically my nonprofit, Our Ode To You. I wanted to create a space where unheard people–specifically elderly people with memory loss were able to find solace in rekindling their passions. For me, band was a safe space where I felt heard and accepted for all my quirks, and I wondered how many other people felt that way.
Gage: Being the only boy with a high singing voice in most rooms has taught me to embrace my uniqueness as a strength. I’ve focused on honing my skills and delivering high-quality performances to challenge preconceptions. By educating others about vocal diversity and finding supportive mentors, I’ve built confidence in my abilities. Creating inclusive spaces like Our Ode To You has allowed me to celebrate not just my own talent, but everyone’s unique gifts. I’ve learned that being different can be a powerful asset, especially in creative fields. By owning my voice and using it to inspire others, I’ve turned what once felt isolating into a source of connection and purpose.
Us: After holding the first club meeting at our school, we realized that 70% of the people who came to volunteer were people of color. It was a moment that made me realize that we had helped create a safe space for creativity, giving, and anti-racism all in a predominately white environment that was sometimes a breeding environment for bad behavior. It was accepting, and all that unified us was our creative souls.
Aani: When there are not many people that look like you in your environment, you feel unheard–at least, that’s how it was like for me at my predominantly-white high school. I found myself in a place where I didn’t want to speak up. So, I began to pour more of my energy into my extracurriculars, specifically my nonprofit, Our Ode To You. I wanted to create a space where unheard people–specifically elderly people with memory loss were able to find solace in rekindling their passions. For me, band was a safe space where I felt heard and accepted for all my quirks, and I wondered how many other people felt that way.
Gage: Being the only boy with a high singing voice in most rooms has taught me to embrace my uniqueness as a strength. I’ve focused on honing my skills and delivering high-quality performances to challenge preconceptions. By educating others about vocal diversity and finding supportive mentors, I’ve built confidence in my abilities. Creating inclusive spaces like Our Ode To You has allowed me to celebrate not just my own talent, but everyone’s unique gifts. I’ve learned that being different can be a powerful asset, especially in creative fields. By owning my voice and using it to inspire others, I’ve turned what once felt isolating into a source of connection and purpose.
Us: After holding the first club meeting at our school, we realized that 70% of the people who came to volunteer were people of color. It was a moment that made me realize that we had helped create a safe space for creativity, giving, and anti-racism all in a predominately white environment that was sometimes a breeding environment for bad behavior. It was accepting, and all that unified us was our creative souls.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
Our most exciting product: The radiant smiles on our participants’ faces as they immerse themselves in artistic expression have taught us the incredible power of human connection and the beauty of celebrating each person’s unique talents. One of our most defining moments came during a workshop with Don, an 87-year-old former Carnegie Hall violinist who hadn’t touched his instrument in over two decades. Encouraged by our team and his peers, Don decided to perform. The room fell silent as he played, tears streaming down his face as he rediscovered a long-forgotten part of himself. He had claimed to be “rusty,” but his playing proved otherwise—all he needed was the opportunity. This moment crystallized OOTY’s impact: not just rekindling lost passions, but restoring hope and joy in people’s lives.
Our Ode To You is on an exciting journey of growth and expansion. We’re actively seeking high schools to start their own OOTY clubs, aiming to reach the widespread impact of organizations like NHS or Key Club. We’re also rolling out online opportunities, including hosting Zoom paint-and-sip sessions with memory care homes and facilitating intergenerational connections through virtual grandparent-grandchild calls. These initiatives allow us to extend our reach and create meaningful connections beyond geographical limitations.
What makes OOTY special is our commitment to fostering genuine human connections and celebrating the creative spirit in everyone, regardless of age or background. We’re constantly innovating to make our programs more accessible and impactful. For those interested in getting involved or staying updated on our latest opportunities, both in-person and online, we encourage you to follow our Instagram. There, we regularly share new ways to participate and contribute to our mission of bringing joy and rekindling passions through art and music.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, the three qualities that have been most impactful in our journey with Our Ode To You are empathy, adaptability, and compassionate leadership. Empathy has allowed us to truly connect with our elderly participants, understanding their emotional needs and cherishing their rich life experiences. Adaptability has been crucial in tailoring our workshops to participants’ desires and embracing the diverse perspectives that make our community so vibrant. Compassionate leadership has helped us empower our student volunteers while fostering a deep sense of responsibility towards our participants. But hey, we’re still early in our journey too! For others just starting out, we’d say: dive in and really listen to people without judgment, be flexible and ready to change course based on what you learn, and lead with genuine care for everyone involved. It’s a continuous learning process – we’re still figuring it out ourselves! So embrace diverse experiences, reflect on your interactions, and stay open to learning from every soul you encounter. After all, that’s where the real magic happens.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Absolutely! We’re actively seeking partnerships and collaborations to expand Our Ode To You’s impact. We’re particularly interested in connecting with youth groups from various settings – churches, high schools, YMCA programs, summer camps, and similar organizations. Our ideal collaborators are groups of passionate teenagers who have a love for the arts and a heart for volunteering, especially with the elderly.
The beauty of OOTY is its flexibility and creativity. Our workshops can feature a wide range of activities—anything from painting and comedy to theatre, singing, dance, instrumental music, and beyond. We’re open to whatever creative ideas you bring to the table! Our main goal is to rekindle the creative passions of the elderly, which can take many forms.
If you’re part of a youth group or know of one that might be interested in starting an OOTY club or collaborating with us, we’d love to hear from you. The key ingredients we’re looking for are enthusiasm, creativity, and a desire to make a positive impact in the lives of seniors through the arts.
To get involved or learn more about collaboration opportunities, reach out to us through our Instagram page. We’re excited to connect with like-minded individuals and groups who share our vision of bringing joy and reigniting passions in the elderly community through creative expression. Let’s work together to spread the OOTY magic and create more heartwarming moments like Don’s violin performance!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ourode2you.carrd.co/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourode2you?igsh=YjhudWs5MmJydmE0&utm_source=qr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/our-ode-to-you/
- Twitter: https://x.com/ourodetoyou?s=21
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFHYg4eBthbY19G3C70jTSQ
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