Spotlighting a musicians journey: Sweta Babladi
By Laura Beldor, March 25 2026—
Music often plays a large role in connecting people to history, culture and to each other. But very few individuals live and breathe music like those who study the art form, such as music majors. The University of Calgary’s School of Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA) has one of the most prominent music programs in the country, where musicians dedicated to their craft work with professionals to develop their skills.
One such individual is Sweta Babladi, a third-year music performance major and president of the Music Undergraduate Society. She is a flautist who has fostered a love for performing her entire life. She describes being inspired to pursue a music degree after working with university professors during high school and attending performances at the university.
“I was already working with my flute professor before I got [to university] and I wanted to continue working under her,” said Babladi. “I also went to see some of [the ensembles] concerts when I was younger, and I really enjoyed hearing them and wanted to be part of them.”
Since joining the SCPA, she has flourished as a musician, citing her collaborations with fellow students as a prominent factor behind her growth as an artist.
“If I write something in a composition class, I have musicians all around me who can play it, and so I get real-life feedback,” said Babladi. “Personally, it’s a very supportive environment. That’s helped me put myself out there without feeling like I’m going to be judged for taking risks as a musician.”
Babladi wishes to guide other budding musicians, utilizing what she has learned during her time as a music major. Her aspirations include becoming a teacher and planning a community Christmas concert where younger musicians perform. Babladi describes how SCPA has not only provided her with traditional artistic training, but also with the professional skills to succeed in the music industry when pursuing such endeavours.
“We have courses in the SCPA that have to do with business administration.Those [courses] are really valuable. Right now, I’m in a performing arts management course. So that’s really about getting audiences to your performances, how to market in the 21st century when there’s so much saturation in the marketing department. And I’m finding that a lot of that is really helpful for me,” said Babladi.
One of Babladi’s wishes for the music program is for there to be increased support for the arts from the university and the student community. Injury is common when playing instruments for multiple hours a day. Babladi describes how she wishes for the U of C to provide more physical health support for musicians, such as discounted physiotherapy.
Like most music performance majors, Babladi is required to hold recitals during their third and fourth undergraduate years. With a wide variety of recitals and concerts held throughout the year by the SCPA, she encourages more students to attend performances.
“There is absolutely something for everybody. Because I think, when people think about the music department, you usually think of the orchestra or, like, these solo performances. But we have a jazz orchestra, so many chamber ensembles, and they switch up every year because of our student population changing,” said Babladi.
Babladi represents the next generation of music professionals who are passionate about their art and wish to connect with others by utilizing their talents.
Learn more about the Music program on the SCPA website. More information about the Music Undergraduate Society can be found on their Instagram page.