Young parishioner accepted into Juilliard program credits her faith

A talented parishioner from St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Bloomfield has been accepted into The Juilliard School’s highly competitive Music Advancement Program (MAP), a tuition-free initiative giving pre-college students the chance to sharpen their skills through a rigorous curriculum.

Chideha Osondu, a 14-year-old flutist, was one of approximately 30 new students accepted into MAP after a monthslong application, audition, and interview process. In September, she will begin taking classes taught by Juilliard’s accomplished faculty every Saturday. She will also get to perform concerts with some of the best young musicians in the tri-state area.

Remarkably, Chideha has only been playing the flute for about five years. The young performer credits her teachers at the Newark School of the Arts for getting her to this point. She is also quick to point out that none of her success would be possible without her faith in God.

A source of strength and perseverance

“Faith has always played such a major role in my life and in my music,” Chideha told Jersey Catholic. “Having faith helps me go into every situation knowing that I don’t have to be afraid because God is with me. And if I’m feeling stressed or worried, I can call on God because everything is in His control.”

That faith has fortified Chideha’s musical pursuits from the beginning, when she struggled to play a single note on the flute. She said it was hard to understand how the instrument worked at first, but she asked God for the determination to persevere. Eventually, she got the hang of it. Likewise, as she proceeded through MAP’s taxing application process, Chideha prayed to St. Cecilia (the patron saint of musicians) to help her through.

Chideha was ultimately successful, of course. Even if Juilliard had not chosen her for the program, however, she said her faith would have tempered her disappointment.

“I know whatever happens is all part of God’s plan,” Chideha said. “If I hadn’t been accepted into Juilliard, it would’ve been because He wanted me to do something else.”

Documenting blessings

Chideha’s devout faith can be traced back to her parents Chinwe and Ejike, who have made it their mission to place God at the center of their children’s lives. To that end, Chinwe said her family prays the rosary every day, studies the Bible, and volunteers for various ministries at Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish. Like her two brothers, Chideha is asked to keep daily journals documenting their blessings so she will always remember to appreciate God’s grace.

Chinwe believes this fostering of faith helped lead her daughter to Juilliard, just as it guided her sons to MIT and the University of Pennsylvania. She also thinks Chideha is a shining example of what happens when you commit yourself to God.

“I’m so proud of her, and I am excited to see her bloom,” Chinwe said. “I just pray that as she grows and develops, she doesn’t lose sight of how God has brought her this far and that she remains grounded in supporting the Church and supporting the parish community. She should always give back because without God’s gift and the support of the community, she wouldn’t have gotten here.”

Leaping ahead, with help

St. Thomas the Apostle Parish indeed played a pivotal role in Chideha’s musical journey. Chideha explained that when she first started learning the flute in elementary school, she found the lessons to be too slow-paced. So, after Mass one day, she asked St. Thomas’ music director, Dr. Patricio Molina, for advice on how she could gain more experience. After listening to her perform, Molina advised Chideha to apply to the Newark School of the Arts, where he served as the conservatory director.

The young flutist was accepted on a full scholarship and immediately began thriving under the school’s tutelage. In six months, she went from playing broken scales to mastering advanced-level compositions. Molina was stunned.

“It’s very unusual to see that much improvement in such a short period,” he said, adding that Chideha has since won international competitions and performed everywhere from Austria to the United Nations. “I would definitely say she’s a prodigy. In all my years of teaching, I’ve only had a few other students with her level of talent and motivation.”

When Chideha learned about MAP, Molina guided her through the application process and connected her with a teacher who prepared her for the audition. He was thrilled when he found out she was accepted, but it was not a surprise.

“I knew it was only a matter of time before she’d get into Juilliard because she’s so passionate about her music and committed to practicing,” Molina said. “God gave her a gift, and she’s not letting it go to waste.”

Delight and astonishment

Chideha’s pastor and fellow parishioners would agree. The young musician performs regularly at parish Masses and concerts; she has essentially grown up before the congregation’s eyes. Molina said that the church broke out in a collective gasp of delight when the news of Chideha’s acceptance was announced during a recent liturgy.

Father Larry Fama, the pastor of St. Thomas, has known Chideha and her family for several years. Like everyone, he is astonished by Chideha’s gift for music. The 14-year-old sounds like she has been playing the flute for decades, he said. Even more impressive is how quickly Chideha acknowledges the part God plays in her success. Such devotion is refreshing to see in a young person, Father Fama said.

He also believes that her faith will continue to bear fruit.

“I can’t wait to see what happens next for Chideha because I think God has something beautiful in store for her,” said Father Fama.

He hopes his other parishioners will feel inspired by her journey. “I’d love it if people started thinking about what talents they have and how they can share them with the parish family. It’s like Mother Teresa said: ‘What I can do, you cannot. What you can do, I cannot. But together, we can do something beautiful for God.’”

Sharing time and talents

Chideha’s studies at Juilliard will continue through high school. Ultimately, she hopes to become a professional musician or doctor.

She also plans to remain involved in her parish as an altar server and soup kitchen volunteer, in addition to her work with the music ministry. Chideha values the support her parish community has given her through the years, and said she wants to give back as much as she can – including through her musical gifts, which she does not take for granted.

“It’s important that I share my talent because music can be very therapeutic, especially for people who are struggling,” Chideha said. “I recently performed at a Mass for parents who had lost their children, and it brought people to tears. I was really glad I could help them release that emotion. It felt like I was giving back to God using the gift He gave me.”

READ MORE: For young St. Thomas parishioner, faith and music go together

Featured image: Chideha Osondu will enter the Juilliard School’s Music Advancement Program in September. (Photos courtesy of Chinwe Osondu / Collage by Jersey Catholic)