March is Arts in Our Schools Month, a time to celebrate the impact of arts education on students' lives. For Dattaprasad Arsekar, a Baltimore School for the Arts (BSA) senior, music has been more than just a subject—it has shaped his identity, fueled his academic success, and opened doors to new opportunities.
“Music really shapes you as a person and your character as well,” Dattaprasad said.
He credits his musical education for pushing him academically. After graduation, he plans to major in economics while potentially minoring in music.
His musical journey began in sixth grade, but the foundation for his passion was laid earlier, when he moved from the remote town of Sawantwadi in India to Baltimore in fourth grade. He attended Barkley Elementary School for a year before transitioning to Roland Park Elementary/Middle School, where he met Ms. Schmitt, the band director who introduced him to the oboe.
“That’s where I started playing oboe,” he said. “I played oboe there for three years, but COVID hit when I was in seventh grade, so unfortunately, I was only able to do band for one year.”
The pandemic disrupted his early musical development, forcing him to practice independently at home. However, he turned this challenge into an opportunity.
“Even though the pandemic was tough, it gave me more time to focus on myself,” he said. “Virtual school meant I had more time to practice, and that really helped me improve.”
By eighth grade, as schools began reopening, he joined a virtual music program with TWIGS, where he met his first formal oboe teacher, Sandra Lisicky.
“She played a key role in helping me specialize in the oboe,” he recalled. “She later suggested that I should audition for the Baltimore School for the Arts, and that’s how I got here.”
At BSA, Dattaprasad thrived in an environment surrounded by passionate musicians.
“The school environment was incredibly supportive,” he said. “It really helped me because this is an art school. I was able to connect with other communities that have the same passion as me.”
He expanded his experiences by joining the Peabody Institute and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. He is also the principal oboist at Peabody Prep and in the Towson High School Honor Band. 
“Those experiences were transformative for my growth as a musician,” he said.
His dedication led to a successful audition for the Maryland All-State Band, an honor bestowed on very few students in the state.
“Being the only one from Baltimore City was an incredible honor,” Dattaprasad said.
Dattaprasad has come to deeply appreciate the power of the arts in shaping individuals. “Adults should encourage their children to explore the arts, not just focus on academics,” he said. “Music, in particular, has the ability to shape who you are.”