The healing power of music

Teen’s soulful strumming soothes hospital patients



SMOOTH BLUES—Rahul Nedunuri, 16, a junior at Simi Valley High School, plays his guitar at Adventist Health Simi Valley on Dec. 7. MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers

SMOOTH BLUES—Rahul Nedunuri, 16, a junior at Simi Valley High School, plays his guitar at Adventist Health Simi Valley on Dec. 7. MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers

With his mom’s help, 8-year-old Holden Miller slowly lifted his hand to touch the acoustic guitar played by 16-year-old Rahul Nedunuri.

When Jennifer Miller took her hand away, her son continued holding on to the guitar’s wooden body as Rahul strummed the chords of a bluesy tune.

For the next five minutes or so, it looked as though Holden, who was born with cerebral palsy, was feeling the vibrations of the music pulsing through his fingers.

And then he began to move his body in his wheelchair.

“He’s dancing,” Miller said, tears welling up in her eyes. “He really loves music.”

And that’s how it went last Friday at Adventist Health Simi Valley hospital as another memorable moment unfolded through the musical talent of Rahul. The Simi Valley High School junior has been playing his guitar for patients at the hospital for the past four months.

“We have many student volunteers, but what Rahul does is very special,” hospital spokesperson Alicia Gonzalez said. “He’s helping lift their spirits.”

SPECIAL TOUCH—Holden Miller, 8, feels the vibrations of the music played by Rahul Nedunuri, who hopes to become a music therapist. Courtesy of Shirley Niell, Adventist Health Simi Valley

SPECIAL TOUCH—Holden Miller, 8, feels the vibrations of the music played by Rahul Nedunuri, who hopes to become a music therapist. Courtesy of Shirley Niell, Adventist Health Simi Valley

He’s also the hospital’s official junior music therapist, she said.

Usually for an hour or so after school on Fridays, the selftaught musician lends his time and talent as a volunteer at the hospital where his mother works. Sometimes he performs in the lobby, but most of the time Rahul plays for patients in their rooms.

“I just go door to door,” he said. “I ask if anyone wants to hear some music. If they say yes, I’ll play for them for a while.”

His forte is blues and blues rock, musical genres he fell in love with while listening to his dad’s old albums “when I was really young,” he said.

Rahul is already making a name for himself as a bluesman. He was the opening act at last year’s Oxnard Jazz Festival, performing solo, and he played at the 2018 Blues Summit in San Diego. He also performed at the 25th annual Bowlful of Blues in Ojai last year, which featured some of the region’s top blues and blues-rock acts.

Inspired by guitar virtuoso Joe Bonamassa, Rahul created a YouTube video of himself playing a Bonamassa tune. It has been viewed more than 15,000 times.

Finding guys in their teens that dig the blues as much as he does can be difficult, said Rahul, who hopes to become a music therapist.

“Most of the gigs I do are usually with older musicians, but I’m trying to find younger guys to form a band with,” he said.

In the meantime, if he’s not gigging, Rahul will be strumming away at Adventist Health in Simi Valley every Friday afternoon after school.

“I’m always surprised that something so little can help so many people,” he said.