Join us for our first Spring Azure Concert of 2027, featuring Sheila Sudhakar, veena (Indian lute)
A dedicated musician as well as a physician leader, Dr. Sheila Sudhakar, MD, FACHE, is a trained veena artist who performs South Indian Carnatic music on one of India’s most revered classical instruments, known for its rich, expressive, and deeply spiritual sound that has connected audiences across generations. She is especially passionate about musical fusion—blending classical traditions with jazz, rock, and global influences—and thrives on collaborative performances that create new, shared artistic experiences. This commitment to music is deeply intertwined with her identity as a physician, where she has long recognized music as a powerful, universal language that fosters human connection, reduces stress, and enhances healing across diverse patient populations. Professionally, Dr. Sudhakar is a visionary physician executive and Senior Medical Director of Clinical Innovation & Transformation at Cigna Healthcare, where she leads enterprise clinical AI strategy, digital health innovation, and large-scale transformation initiatives that improve outcomes, access, and care experiences. With more than two decades of experience across internal medicine, value-based care, population health, and clinical technology, she brings a unique ability to integrate clinical excellence with strategic innovation. Equally committed to service, she dedicates time to philanthropy and community engagement, reflecting her belief that both medicine and music are powerful vehicles for connection, compassion, and impact across cultures and communities.
The veena, often called the "Indian lute", is historically one of the oldest string instruments in India, with roots tracing back over 3,000 years. It's played by plucking single strings and sliding along the neck to bend each note into smooth, voice-like melodies.
Presented by the Tetra String Quartet, Azure Family Concerts are free, one-hour, sensory-friendly performances designed for people of all ages with autism, developmental disabilities, sensory processing differences, and physical disabilities, along with their families and caregivers.Traditional concert settings can be challenging for audience members who communicate, regulate, or engage through vocalizations, movement, stimming, or other forms of participation. Azure concerts joyfully and intentionally welcome these behaviors, creating a warm, judgment-free space where every audience member can relax, participate, and feel that they truly belong. Family members and caregivers of all ages are encouraged to join in the fun!
This performance will feature Sheila Sudhakar, veena (Indian lute) and will be followed by an instrument petting zoo.
Move freely. Express yourself. Be you.
This concert will also be live-streamed on Tetra String Quartet's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/tetrastringquartet
For more information visit: https://www.tetraquartet.org/azure
This project is partially funded by a City of Tempe - Community Arts Grant.