Ashwin Krishna is the first classical guitarist to pursue a dual degree in the joint five-year program offered by Harvard College and the New England Conservatory (necmusic). Krishna writes, “Admission into the NEC program was a large part of what attracted me to Harvard. In my senior year, I felt like applying to colleges was forcing me to choose between academics and music. The latter had been a part of my life since age four, and I felt some pressure to keep up my musical studies. At NEC, I have the rare privilege of studying with two of the world's best classical guitarists: Eliot Fisk and Jerome Mouffe. I feel like every lesson I have with one of them transforms me into a better player. Growing up, I used to listen to both of them on my iPod while practicing. While striking the right balance in dividing my time and effort to both degrees has been strenuous, I don't think I could have asked for a better program that allows me to pursue all of my interests at once.”⠀ ⠀ This portrait...