Zoya Tandon

Five Card Flow · fivecardflow.org

Most kids never get the chance to try guitar, and the ones who do usually quit because their first experience feels like failure. I researched the neuroscience behind why kids quit guitar and built Five Card Flow — a free, card-based method that lets any kid improvise their own song in just a few minutes, taught by anyone, no musical background required. I'm working to fund and donate starter kits (a guitar and printed cards) to community programs that don't have instruments, starting in my hometown of Greenburgh, NY.

Learn more: "Why I created Five Card Flow"

Songcatchers · songcatchers.org

I teach weekly guitar lessons to kids in this after-school music program in New Rochelle. My Songcatchers students inspired me to create Five Card Flow.

Edgemont

I teach beginner guitar to kids in my neighborhood. I use Five Card Flow to get them playing a song in the first lesson and to build confidence so they stick with it.

Family Business · unboringyourmeat.com

I label products, pack and ship orders and figure out how to manage inventory better. I work 8–10 hours per week during school and 20–25 hours per week over the summer.

I studied guitar and music theory at School of Rock and Hoff-Barthelson Music School.

I play cello with my high school's orchestra and with a small chamber ensemble.

I taught myself Ableton to produce experimental songs, remixes and mashups.

Edgemont HS (Varsity) · Eastern FC (ECNL-RL)

I missed my 10th grade season due to an ankle injury in June 2025 and, after surgery in January 2026, I returned to training in the late Spring.

Learn more: "The Invisible Work"