Play It Forward – Anika Gupta

Music that inspires one of 2024 All Classical Radio’s Youth Artist Ambassadors, Anika Gupta.

Photo by Frankie Tresser

Meet Classical Guitarist Anika Gupta. One of All Classical Radio’s Youth Artist Ambassadors for 2024.
We recently asked Anika what pieces of music have inspired her to become the musician she is today. Here are a few of Anika’s selections.

Asturias by Isaac Albeniz

This song always makes me want to play guitar because it’s such an exciting piece and it’s a reminder of how beautiful classical guitar is.


Almoraima by Paco de Lucia

This song is so catchy and every time I listen to it I always get inspired to try out different styles and just new things in general on the guitar.


La Muerte del Angel by Astor Piazzolla

I love this piece because it reminds me of how different instruments can pair so well with one another, almost like a braid, music which is weaving together.


Concerto for Lute in D Major by Vivaldi

Every time I listen to this piece I feel like I’m transported into a ballroom. Whenever I hear this song, I get inspired to do the same for my listeners, to try to transport them to an entirely new place.


Suite Castellana by Torroba

This piece of music is so powerful and it always inspires me to pick up my guitar and to create a more beautiful world through my music.


Sonatina, Allegro by Torroba

This song has always been a favorite of mine because it’s crisp and fast and also such a gorgeous piece. It always inspires me to find a balance in my music, between high speed and energy and beauty.


Carillon by Benvenuto Terzi

When I first heard this song, it was one of the first times that I’d ever heard of harmonics. The discovery of harmonics on the guitar for me was life changing, and I owe it to this hauntingly beautiful piece.


About Anika

Photo by Frankie Tresser

Anika Gupta is currently a sophomore at Sunset High School. She has always loved music and picked up the guitar during middle school. Since then, her passion for guitar has only grown! She currently studies under Travis Johnson and loves to spread music in various ways. She has won several music competitions, attended festivals and camps, and likes to play at retirement homes in her free time. She enjoys everything about the world of music and truly believes that learning an instrument is an opportunity that should be accessible to everyone. Outside of music, Anika loves STEM and always seeks new ways to combine her love of engineering and music.