My daughter Sandhya Balachandar has been learning from Smt Ramalakshmi for the past two and half years.The teacher has put in a lot of effort in developing the student. She has a structured curriculam for teaching the necessary elements of the theory or the knowledge of the ragams along with her regular classes. She focuses on each individual student, by assessing their potential, talent and the weakness. Her teaching of course improves the weakness and reinforces the talent.

RamaLakshmi is one of the rear young teachers in NJ spreading carnatic music to Our children.She herself is well versed in carnatic music and theory and a Gift to our children as a teacher.Her style of teaching is so effective that each child looks forward to go to music class and see what more comes out of her teaching.Such a fine person in stature and imparts selflessly and takes the Challenge with lot of curiosity and fun to the children covering the core aspects of Carnatic music.My son Sumukh thoroughly enjoys learning from her and looks forward to giving a concert as soon as Ramaa thinks he is ready.We are all blessed to come across such a devoted music teacher like her.

With all sincerity,

Prasanna (Sumukh's Mom)

My daughter Nandini thinks that Rama is the best music teacher because she makes learning fun in class. She does that by making each student be a different note and doing the early singing exercises in this manner. She also said that she enjoyed the fact that Rama combined bhajans and shlokas along with the initial practice exercises making the lessons more interesting and varied.
I think Rama is an excellent teacher, because she introduces the student to the theoretical aspects of Carnatic music at an early stage, particularly the structure of various talams and the concept of gamakams. She is excellent in maintaining high standards by stressing on the need for regular practice and making the students maintain practice logs that both the parents and she review. She also has a very good control over the students and maintains tight discipline.

"Rama Aunty never gets angry.She is always so encouraging.My lessons are Conducted in a group consisting of 4 children and I love my group.There is Always a drive to go ahead and some healthy competition.When we make mistakes, she individually works with each one of us, gives us the Underlying swarams and does not let go, until we get it right.I go to my class because I am genuinely interested in music, not because my mother forces me to go.And the interest comes from having such a good teacher.

"It is very hard to find a person who can sing and teach, do both well - I have found that in Rama. There is great depth in her knowledge of music,and she knows when and how to impart that knowledge.I have learnt music in the past, but I have not learnt as much as I have, in just a couple of years, from Rama.The foundation that is achieved from her teaching is unshakeable.She has the uncanny knack of getting out the best from anyone.

Lalitha ( parent as well as a student !)

I'm Aisvarya Chandrasekar of New Jersey.I am extremely Pleased to say that I have been learning carnatic vocal music from Smt. Neyveli Ramalakshmi Krishna for the past 2 years. I consider her to be the best for the following reasons.

1. Very knowledgeable.
2. Has lot of dedication and patience.
3. Strong in theory too.
4. Never discourages the kid at any point of time.
5. Tries to boost up the confidence wherever and whenever required.
6. Very particular in the proper pronunciation of words
7. Tries to bring out the best from each one of us.
8.Never forces any kid to do/sing whatever she Wants us to sing. Always leaves the decision to us which makes us feel more comfortable and we try to sing the best in the programs.
9. Teaches not only carnatic music but also Thevaram ,Thiruvasagam and saundaryalahari.
10. One of the best qualities which I always Appreciate and admire in her is her polite and humble behaviour.She makes it a point to teach Us too the way to respect the audience by doing Pranams to them before and after the song.
11. Tries to teach us some rare pieces of krithis which are not taught by the other Teachers here.
12.Treats all the children equally. No special Attention to any of the kids.

Though I have a lot more to tell you about my Teacher, I think with whatever I have mentioned Above, it�ll be easy for you to agree with me that she Is the Best.

Aisvarya Chandrasekar

I am Sruti Swaminathan, an eighth grade student in NJ. I am very fortunate to have Smt. Ramalakshmi as my carnatic vocal music teacher. She is an excellent teacher, with lots of patience and makes our class fun and a learning experience. As she teaches music, she also mixes the class with theory and meaning details which I find them as very informative.

She takes enormous efforts to make us all do well in any concerts we participate. She also has taught us "Thevaram" and other rare songs and when we sing them in a gathering, we standout as a unique team. As a guru she is a perfect role model for all of us, the students of her class. I applaud her dedication to music and the interest in helping her community to learn and appreciate music. No doubt, she is a best in class. I would like to nomiate my wonderful teacher Smt. Ramalakshmi for Best Teacher Award.

Sruti Swaminathan