An 18-year-old music prodigy is making history this year.

Tiara Abraham earned her Master’s Degree from Indiana University on Friday. The accomplishment makes her the youngest to do so in 2024 across all IU campuses statewide, and up next is her doctorate.

“Today has been a whirlwind of emotion. It’s been full of joy,” said Abraham.

The teen graduated from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music with a master’s degree in music of voice. She accomplished it all before even getting her driver’s license.

“A lot of hard work and perseverance as with many other graduates. That’s how we ended up here graduating, and I just feel very proud of myself,” she said.

Dr. Taji Abraham

The California teen moved across the country with her mom at just 16 to begin the IU master’s program in music, one of the top schools in the world.

“I started college, community college, at 7 years old, so I’ve definitely gotten used to being the youngest in the classroom,” she said.

Now, she’s the youngest person to earn the degree across all IU campuses in 2024, and she did it with a 4.0 GPA throughout her academic career.

WRTV’s Naja Woods

“We’re extremely proud of her. At such a young age finishing a master’s; that’s amazing. This is her time,” said her dad, Bijou Abraham.

“It’s just that looking back over the last two years, the challenges she had and how she persevered it. She’s brave and she’s worked hard,” added her mom Dr. Taji Abraham. “Now it’s time for her to celebrate and we’re just happy to see that success.”

Tiara Abraham became a Mensa member at age 4, began college courses at age 7, and celebrated her Sweet 16 with an undergraduate degree from UC Davis in California.

Dr. Taji Abraham

It’s the same school where her older brother Tanishq earned his doctorate at age 19.

For Abraham, it’s not just about hitting the textbooks. The prodigy also has a passion for music. She began classical voice training at just 7 years old.

“Ever since then, I’ve just been performing around the world. I’ve performed at Carnegie Hall, and internationally in Italy and the Vatican. It’s been such a joy to be able perform because it’s something I truly enjoy,” said Abraham.

Although the teen is used to being the youngest in the room, it isn’t always easy doing so when it comes to classical music.

Dr. Taji Abraham

“A lot of the times, some people will kind of dismiss me because they say I’m too young,” she said.

The teen hasn’t let that discourage her from pushing to learn more throughout the years.

“She wants to learn. She wants to grow. She wants to be right, we have at least four or five languages. We have to be able to sing in like French, Italian, German, English and sometimes Spanish,” explained Patricia Stiles, an IU professor of music (Voice) who’s worked with Abraham for the last two years.

“She just wants it to be good; she wants to do the best she can,” she added.

Now, the teen has her sights set high for an even brighter future.

“I’m going to stay here at Indiana University for my doctorate.”

WRTV’s Naja Woods

After that, the teen wants to continue breaking down barriers on the big stage.

“My dream job is to perform around the world in established opera houses and just make people happy with my voice,” she said.

“I truly believe in the power of music, and I’m blessed with a beautiful voice, and I just want to make use of that,” she said.

Abraham has been invited to sing at several commencement ceremonies at many reknown places over the years. She will sing the national anthem at IU’s undergrad ceremony on Saturday.

This article was originally published by Naja Woods for Scripps News Indianapolis.

We are ready to hear from you hunters and anglers. 

South Bend Tribune sports is beginning a new Outdoors feature, focused primarily on hunting and fishing stories/news and photos.

We want to hear about your fishing and hunting adventures and see photos of those big or unusual catches and harvests.

Share those stories and photos at sports@sbtinfo.com or gbell@sbtinfo.com.

Indiana seeks input on deer hunting rule changes. Plus hike, clean up and parade into May.

Trout season begins in Indiana’s stocked streams. And large white trilliums in full bloom.

When is free fishing day in Indiana? 

Indiana’s first free fishing day is coming up on Sunday, May 12. 

Indiana residents do not need a fishing license or a trout/salmon stamp to fish in the state’s public waters. It’s a perfect day to bring your family and friends to join in fishing fun. All others rules such as seasons, bag limits and size limits apply. Find a location to fish near you, using the Indiana DNR Where to Fish Map at https://www.in.gov/dnr/fish-and-wildlife/fishing/where-to-fish-interactive-map/ 

Indiana Trout season is open 

Trout season for inland streams in Indiana opened on April 27^th and runs through the end of December. The Indiana DNR had planned to stock nearly 63,000 rainbow and brown trout across 35 bodies of water. Anglers should be sure to get their trout stamp. There is no closed season for taking trout from inland lakes. All licences/stamps can be purchased through the Indiana DNR.

Wild turkey season in Indiana has another week 

The Indiana spring wild turkey hunting season continues until May 12. The bag limit during the spring is one bearded or male turkey.  

Wild turkeys may be hunted from one half hour before sunrise to sunset.  

To hunt wild turkey during the spring season, a valid spring turkey hunting license and Game Bird Habitat stamp privilege are required. Those who have a lifetime comprehensive hunting, lifetime comprehensive hunting and fishing, or resident youth hunt/trap license can hunt wild turkey and do not need to purchase the Game Bird Habitat stamp privilege,

Licences can be purchased through the Indiana DNR.

Michigan elk and bear license applications on sale 

Michigan Elk and bear license applications are on sale now through June 1. Hunters can increase their odds by picking up Pure Michigan Hunt applications while applying for bear and elk. 

The Pure Michigan Hunt offers a chance at licenses for hunting elk, bear, spring and fall turkey and anterless deer and first pick at a managed waterfowl hunt area.  

For more information about the Pure Michigan Hunt, or to apply, visit Michigan.gov/PMH. For more information or to apply for bear or elk licenses, visit Michigan.gov/Bear or Michigan.gov/Elk. You also can apply for all three anywhere hunting licenses are sold, or online at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses or on the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app. 

Indiana Learn to Shoot event

The Indiana DNR will host a Learn to Shoot event on June 18 at Atterbury Fish & Wildlife area from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (ET). Shooters of all skill levels are welcome, but the course will be tailored towards those that are new to shooting and firearms.

Indiana Learn to Fish series

The DNR is also hosting a series of Learn to Fish events through May and June at various lakes throughout the state. Events include at Mother’s Day workshop, women’s intro to fishing, beginner catfishing and intro to fishing

LAPORTE, Ind. (WISH) — A pilot received a minor injury in a monoplane crash Saturday evening in northern Indiana, the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office says.

Capt. Derek Allen of the sheriff’s office says the 1952 single-engine Mooney M18C crashed about 6:20 p.m. Saturday in a harvested farm field along County Road 850 East north of County Road 150 North.

That’s about 7 miles south of the St. Joseph County town of New Carlisle, and a half-hour drive west of South Bend in northern Indiana.

No additional information was immediately available about the crash.

Saturday’s crash of a small plane was at least the third in Indiana since Thursday.