Ayaan Kohli

Student

Ayaan Kohli is a student organizer, performer, and grassroots advocate working at the intersection of narrative storytelling, civic leadership, and community wellness. Seasoned by competitive musical theatre, vocal performance, and speech, Ayaan treats the stage as an essential training ground for empathy, presence, and collective collaboration. As the founder and director of Sitaram Scholars, he translates the discipline and narrative impact of the arts into actionable community service, directing initiatives to expand essential healthcare resources and educational equity for underserved youth. Blending a rigorous academic focus on public health and dental medicine with executive student government leadership, Ayaan views the performing arts not merely as creative expression, but as a critical instrument for human connection—vital for demystifying healthcare, building patient trust, and mobilizing communities around equitable futures.

Bridging the divide between the performing arts and community healthcare. I am deeply invested in public health literacy, pediatric wellness, and dental medicine, specifically addressing disparities in preventative care for vulnerable student populations. Alongside clinical advocacy, I am devoted to musical theatre, vocal performance, and youth empowerment. Whether rehearsing an ensemble number, directing educational outreach, or organizing youth conferences, I care about creating inclusive spaces where young people feel equipped to use their authentic voices to drive measurable change.

Empathy is not a passive sentiment; it is an active discipline best cultivated through ensemble storytelling. When we step onto a stage, enter a debate round, or engage in civic dialogue, our responsibility is first to listen intently to the voices around us before projecting our own. By integrating the collaborative ethics of theatre and the clarity of public advocacy into healthcare and community systems, we can dismantle clinical intimidation, humanize preventative wellness, and build health solutions where every individual feels seen, heard, and valued.

My journey with TED began with the realization that the most transformative ideas often originate from the lived experiences of young people who simply need a platform. Believing that youth voices should not merely be consumers of ideas but active contributors to community discourse, I set out to organize TEDxYouth@InglemoorHighSchool. For me, TED is more than a stage, it is an ensemble where distinct perspectives converge to challenge assumptions, spark civic curiosity, and translate spoken vision into tangible action.

Scaling and baking precise batches of traditional Italian almond biscotti from scratch—a kitchen habit I often turn to between theatre rehearsals and event planning. Balancing the exact timing and double-baking science behind a crisp biscotti requires the same patient attention to detail as memorizing a vocal score or managing event logistics.