Zoya Tandon

Zoya Tandon

Class of 2028 · Edgemont High School · New York

Work

FounderSince 2025

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"

Volunteer Guitar TeacherSince 2025

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.

Private Guitar TeacherSince 2024

Greenburgh, New York

I teach beginner guitar to kids from 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.

Warehouse AssociateSince 2025

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.


Music

GuitaristSince 2017

I study guitar and music theory at Hoff-Barthelson Music School in Scarsdale, NY.

CellistSince 2020

I study cello and music theory with my high school's orchestra.

ProducerSince 2024

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


Soccer

Left-Footed, Left-Winger9th, 11th, 12th grades

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

Ankle Injury10th grade

I missed my 10th grade Varsity season due to an ankle injury in June 2025. After surgery in January 2026, I returned to training in late April 2026.


Learn more: "The Invisible Work"

Highlight Reel2024-25 Season