Musical Memories is a service organization run by high school seniors that seeks to provide students with an engaging, immersive environment for pursuing music. It was launched just under a year ago, but Musical Memories has already made a substantial impact by reaching 3 countries, 4 states, and impacting 400+ students.
As per their mission statement, Musical Memories spreads joy through music by visiting medical institutes & senior living centers throughout New Jersey/California and conducting live performances as well as workshops for residents.
They also offer musical tutoring services in piano, flute, saxophone, trumpet, guitar, and violin! To increase accessibility, these sessions are offered via Zoom and any student passionate about music education can register to teach music on a global scale.
For my feature, I interviewed senior Paavni Suyal, founder of Musical Memories.

Founder of Musical Memories - Paavni Suyal
What was your inspiration for starting your organization?
"As someone who has been emotionally and mentally attached to the musical world since I was six years old, I’ve always felt a sense of obligation to give back to the world that helped shape me," founder Paavni Suyal said.
"I’ve been playing the flute since fourth grade and have grown tremendously as a musician, achieving second chair in a reputable orchestra in New Jersey and winning local and even international competitions. Additionally, I have been deeply involved with the piano, mastering much advanced repertoire.
"My dedication to these two instruments inspired me to turn my passion for music into a force for good. To achieve this, I connected with my twin brother, who’s been equally involved with the musical world, and together we founded Musical Memories. Our goal with Musical Memories is to use music as a means of connection, bringing people from all walks of life together."
Pranshu Suyal, the organization's co-founder, is also a rising senior attending High Technology High School. He is responsible for the web development and outreach maintenance.
What major issues or complications have you faced, and how did your team overcome them?
"Within our core executive team, we’ve faced many issues with communication as we’ve had our fair share of having to find replacements for our PR/Graphic Design manager. Thus far, we’ve had to fire two managers for not being communicative enough with our team and not performing tasks to their full potential. To overcome such difficulties, our team decided on a new platform to use to organize tasks: Asana. This has allowed everyone to be well-informed of what is due when—whether it be making a post of our Panda Express fundraiser coming up or creating a TikTok reel to promote our internship," Paavni said.
She continued to elaborate on streamlining organization operations and hiring an effective managerial team.
"Another key change was refining our hiring process to better identify candidates who possessed strong communication skills and a proactive attitude. We included scenario-based questions in our interviews to gauge how candidates would handle communication challenges and task management. This approach helped us to select individuals who were not only skilled in their technical roles but also aligned with our team's communication standards.
"Through these combined efforts, we were able to significantly improve our team's communication and productivity," she emphasized.
A social media post advertising volunteer opportunities
What goals does your organization have for future projects, and where do you see yourselves expanding over the following years?
According to Paavni, Musical Memories has an impressive lineup of initiatives for the upcoming year as they branch off from select senior centers to an online-centered base.
"We aim to host a “Day in the Life” workshop for young musicians with the help of advanced music professionals we know. We are also planning a performance for veterans in New Jersey. Additionally, we intend to organize concerts to raise awareness about racial and social injustice through outdoor music picnics," she said.
"Currently, we have impacted not only a national audience but have also garnered the attention of international members. In the next few years, I expect us to reach an even larger international audience. I also anticipate performing in more reputable venues to further increase our organization’s outreach. As we continue to grow, we envision establishing chapters of Musical Memories in different regions, each tailored to the unique needs and interests of their communities.
"I also anticipate our Instagram and Tiktok to increase by tenfold. Ultimately, our goal is to create a vibrant and inclusive musical community that transcends geographical and cultural boundaries, using the universal language of music to connect, inspire, and bring about positive change," Paavni said.

One of Musical Memories' in-person events at a senior center
What advice would you give to aspiring young innovators and youth who want to make a difference in their community or on a global scale?
To conclude our interview, I asked the founder what she believed was advice she wished she heard from a mentor before starting on her service journey. She highlighted a universal need for community support, outreach, and genuine passion.
"I advise young innovators to find what truly excites and motivates them," Paavni said.
"Enthusiasm is the most powerful tool, and it will drive others to join your cause, as it did with mine. Begin with manageable projects in your local community. These early successes will provide valuable experience and build a foundation for larger initiatives. It’s important to build strong partnerships with like-minded organizations and experienced professionals who can offer guidance.
"Also, be sure to leverage technology and stay up to date with the latest trends. Develop strong communication skills and cleverly recruit members for your team to ensure you have the support needed to achieve your goals. By starting small, collaborating effectively, and staying informed, you can create meaningful change and inspire others to join you on your journey."
To keep up with Musical Memories, below is their social media and contact information.
Website:
Instagram Handle:
@musicalmemories23
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