Marine Lines resident Alannah Carol Fernandes has been celebrating her birthday at orphanages and homes across the city ever since she turned 16. Today, at 29, the PhD scholar in human development, who is also pursuing a doctorate from Nirmala Niketan College of Home Science in Churchgate and teaches the violin from her home, has formed an ensemble of her music students who perform for various causes and at homes. Called Ace Rhapsody, they are 10 shows old, and will mark a year of spreading cheer among those who don't have access to recitals, with their Christmas special set at St Anthony's Home and Girl's High School in Mumbai Central this weekend.

Born in a musical family [her father plays the harmonica, mother, the guitar and brother, the cajon] Fernandes was 10 years old when she started learning from Bombay Chamber Orchestra founder Jini Dinshaw, who, she says has been instrumental in holistic development, beyond music. This is what she is trying to mirror with her work at Ace Rhapsody. "Music has always been a prominent part of my life. The first time I interacted with those from a humble background was when I was 16. We aren't sensitised to them. I felt that music needed to be a part of their lives and that more people need to reach out to them in order for this to be an inclusive society. With this platform, we want to spread music to places where people can't listen to a recital or attend a concert," explains Fernandes.