How love and art intertwine: Siobhan and Uday’s Eastman journey
How love and art intertwine: Siobhan and Uday’s Eastman journey
This Valentine’s Day, we’re celebrating the love story of Siobhan Plouffe ’20, ’20E and Uday Singh ’20E, ’25E (DMA), two remarkable Eastman School of Music alumni whose shared passion for music brought them together and continues to deepen their bond.
Uday Singh ’20E, ’25E (DMA) and Siobhan Plouffe ’20, ’20E
From a quick run-in to a quartet bond
Siobhan and Uday’s journey began during orientation at the Eastman School of Music in 2016. Having only connected over a freshman class group chat before arriving on campus, their first in-person meeting was a chance encounter while walking on Gibbs Street. This encounter was marked by a humorous exchange of mispronouncing each other’s names. This lighthearted moment broke the ice and paved the way for a friendship that quickly blossomed.
With just four saxophone students in their freshman class, Siobhan, Uday, and their two quartet partners quickly formed more than just a musical group—they built a lifelong bond. Countless hours of rehearsals and performances brought them closer, while moments outside of practice—hanging out at their favorite Gibbs Street spots, like Java’s and Unter Biergarten, and Siobhan showing Uday around her hometown of Rochester—made their journey even more special.
Playing soprano and alto saxophones within their quartet, Uday and Siobhan relied on each other to create a cohesive sound. Seated across from each other during practice sessions, they exchanged stolen glances over sheet music, a playful dynamic that deepened their connection. Their partnership on stage mirrored their growing friendship, forming a foundation of trust and mutual respect beyond music.
The interpersonal skills they developed as members of the same performance group—communication, collaboration, and active listening—translated directly into their romantic relationship. Their advice for young musicians at Eastman is to “be friends with the people you play with.” It will deepen your connection as a team, grow your relationship as a musician, and make performing much more fun.
Siobhan and Uday with Michael and Clancy, the two other members of their Eastman group, Scio Quartet.
Uday and Siobhan in Zürich, Switzerland
Uday and Siobhan presenting at the North American Saxophone Alliance Conference on live electronic music.
Love beyond Eastman
After graduation, Siobhan and Uday faced the challenge of a long-distance relationship. Uday pursued further studies at the Zurich University of the Arts in Switzerland, earning a Master of Arts degree. Siobhan is attending Arizona State University (ASU), earning a Master of Music degree. Despite the physical distance, their bond grew stronger through open communication and shared ambitions. Zurich exposed them to what the music industry can look like in other countries and inspired them to push traditional classical music’s boundaries further.
Today, Uday has returned to Eastman to pursue a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) while working part-time in arts administration and teaching. Siobhan is completing her DMA at ASU, focusing on an innovative dissertation project they are collaborating on. Together, they strive to commission new works for saxophone duos and electronics, incorporating multimedia elements like video, lighting, and staging to make classical and contemporary music more engaging and accessible. Their shared goal is to challenge traditional perceptions of contemporary music and create performances that resonate with audiences of all backgrounds.
For Siobhan and Uday, Eastman will always hold a special place in their hearts. Whenever they return to Rochester, they love visiting Java’s, strolling down Gibbs Street, and reminiscing about their time on campus. They even practice in the same rooms they used as students, finding joy in reconnecting with the spaces that shaped their journey.
Their duet, in music and life, continues to inspire
As Siobhan and Uday near the completion of their doctoral degrees, they are excited to explore opportunities that align with their passions. Siobhan enjoys classical recording and audio engineering, while Uday has found fulfillment in arts administration. Both look forward to their opportunity to shape the future of audience engagement.
Their love story is a testament to the powerful connections forged through shared passions and collaborative effort. This Valentine’s Day, we celebrate Siobhan and Uday, whose harmony extends beyond the music they create together. They are an enduring example of how love and art can intertwine to create something truly beautiful. Their duet, in music and life, continues to inspire.
Love beyond Eastman
After graduation, Siobhan and Uday faced the challenge of a long-distance relationship. Uday pursued further studies at the Zurich University of the Arts in Switzerland, earning a Master of Arts degree. Siobhan is attending Arizona State University (ASU), earning a Master of Music degree. Despite the physical distance, their bond grew stronger through open communication and shared ambitions. Zurich exposed them to what the music industry can look like in other countries and inspired them to push traditional classical music’s boundaries further.
Today, Uday has returned to Eastman to pursue a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) while working part-time in arts administration and teaching. Siobhan is completing her DMA at ASU, focusing on an innovative dissertation project they are collaborating on. Together, they strive to commission new works for saxophone duos and electronics, incorporating multimedia elements like video, lighting, and staging to make classical and contemporary music more engaging and accessible. Their shared goal is to challenge traditional perceptions of contemporary music and create performances that resonate with audiences of all backgrounds.
For Siobhan and Uday, Eastman will always hold a special place in their hearts. Whenever they return to Rochester, they love visiting Java’s, strolling down Gibbs Street, and reminiscing about their time on campus. They even practice in the same rooms they used as students, finding joy in reconnecting with the spaces that shaped their journey.
Their duet, in music and life, continues to inspire
As Siobhan and Uday near the completion of their doctoral degrees, they are excited to explore opportunities that align with their passions. Siobhan enjoys classical recording and audio engineering, while Uday has found fulfillment in arts administration. Both look forward to their opportunity to shape the future of audience engagement.
Their love story is a testament to the powerful connections forged through shared passions and collaborative effort. This Valentine’s Day, we celebrate Siobhan and Uday, whose harmony extends beyond the music they create together. They are an enduring example of how love and art can intertwine to create something truly beautiful. Their duet, in music and life, continues to inspire.
Uday and Siobhan in Zürich, Switzerland
Uday and Siobhan presenting at the North American Saxophone Alliance Conference on live electronic music.
Share your story
Inspired by Siobhan and Uday’s journey? We’d love to hear how your University of Rochester experience has shaped your life—whether through friendships, career milestones, or even love stories of your own. Submit a class note and let us know what you’ve been up to!
— Amelia Sykes, Winter 2025