Meet Nathan Sarkar, Our Featured Volunteer from Washington D.C.!
Get to know our volunteers!
Do you volunteer at a specific hospital? Children’s National Medical Center
How long have you been volunteering with Musicians On Call? 1.5 years
Are you a volunteer guide or musician? Guide
What is your occupation outside of MOC? Medical Researcher, entering med school in 2020
Do you have any hidden talents? I play piano in a few jazz groups in the DC area, and occasionally play some gigs. I’m also a sailing instructor.
What is your story? What connects you with music and why do you volunteer with MOC? A family member of mine was treated at Children’s National Medical Center when I was young, and this was one of the formative experiences that pushed me towards a career in medicine. When I was about to graduate college and come back home to the DC area, I happened to come across one of MOC’s videos, and I remember thinking that this was the perfect opportunity to combine my interests in music and medicine. Initially, I considered being a MOC musician, but I didn’t own a portable keyboard and there was more demand for guides at the time, so I opted to be a guide instead. I also felt that volunteering at Children’s, in particular, would be a good way to give back to the hospital.
What makes MOC different from your other volunteer experiences? I love how when a kid cracks a smile or starts to hum along, you can immediately tell that what you’re doing is important.
Has your life changed because of your experience with Musicians On Call? I am certainly more aware of how live music is a fun, easy, and nearly fool-proof way to make someone’s hospital stay a little less gloomy, which is a lesson that I will carry with me.
What is your favorite #MOCmoment? Some of my favorite moments are when we find out that the patient plays music too. These kids are always excited to have a real-life musician in their room, and love asking questions. Sometimes they have their instrument with them, and play along to make an impromptu jam session!