Student Spotlight: Sriram Narayanan The classical pianist shares his experience growing up with a language disability and finding his voice through music.January 29, 2026
By
Editorial Staff
Image courtesy of Sriram Narayanan
What's it like to study at Berklee? Our Student Spotlight series asks current students all about their Berklee experience-what they're learning in class, what kinds of projects they're involved in onstage or behind the scenes, how they recharge, and of course, what they're listening to. In this installment, get to know pianist Sriram Narayanan, a seventh-semester major in film and media scoring from Newton, Massachusetts.
You can follow him on Instagram and Facebook.
Image by Teddy Kent
Tell us about your path to Berklee. What made you decide to come here?I started playing classical piano when I was five years old. Over the years, I've been lucky to win awards and perform at beautiful venues like Carnegie Hall and Shalin Liu. Music has always been my safe space-a place where I feel free, focused, and joyful.
Growing up with a language disability and being on the autism spectrum, school was often hard for me. I sometimes struggled to keep up in traditional classroom settings, and it made me question whether there was a place where I could truly belong. But music was always the one thing that came naturally to me.
In high school, I attended Berklee's Aspire Five-Week summer program. It was intense, but it felt like home. It was the first time I was surrounded by people who spoke the same language I did: music. My mentor, Clint Valladares, who's also a Berklee alum, encouraged me to apply to the college. Being accepted to Berklee felt like a door finally opening. Here, I've been able to grow, thrive, and feel proud of what I bring to the table.
Whats been your favorite class so far, and what has it taught you?My favorite classes at Berklee have been the Dramatic Scoring courses taught by professor Claudio Ragazzi. These classes build over time and teach all the essential skills for composing and recording music for film and TV. I especially enjoy the hands-on studio sessions. Professor Ragazzi is incredibly supportive both in class and during office hours. I've also loved being part of professor Adrian Anantawan's Music Inclusion Ensemble for the past two years. It's a truly inspiring group. Our performance at the Berklee Performance Center in April 2025 was a highlight; I was honored to be on stage with such talented musicians.
Whats a project youve worked on since coming to Berklee that youve been especially excited about?Through my mentor Clint, I got involved with a project called Breathonance, led by Dr. Amit Anand. It's a science-based program that pairs yogic Pranayama breathing with resonant music and rhythm, and it's gaining popularity worldwide for its health benefits. I've assisted with the creation of original tunes for this project and I hope to continue working on it.
How do you typically recharge or find new ideas outside of class?I listen to all kinds of music-jazz, rock, pop, classical, and world music. My family is deeply rooted in Indian classical music, and we travel to Chennai every December to visit family and attend the classical music festival there. I also love Bollywood music. All of these different influences shape the way I think about and create music.
When you think towards your own future, who inspires you most?Before coming to Berklee, I took online Logic Pro lessons with Kevin Doucette, an award-winning composer and Berklee alum. Like me, he started as a classical pianist before moving into film scoring. He now works in both LA and India and is one of the most talented and kind musicians I've met. Kevin inspired me to pursue film scoring and attend Berklee.
Whats one piece of advice youd give to your high school self?In high school, I was often anxious about the future because I found language-heavy subjects difficult. But Berklee has shown me that my strengths-like perfect pitch, strong sight reading, and a solid work ethic-can take me far. I would tell my high school self to stay calm, keep following your passion, and trust that you'll find a place where you can thrive.
Sriram Narayanans Top Five SongsWe asked Sriram to give us five tracks from his favorite artists. Heres what he said:
1. Just the Way You Are, Bruno MarsThis song is really special to me because of its positive message. I like how Bruno Mars sings with so much feeling. It's a simple but powerful reminder to appreciate people just the way they are.
2. See You Again, Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie PuthThis is a beautiful and emotional song about missing someone. Charlie Puth's voice and piano playing are amazing, and the song always makes me feel something.
3. Save Your Tears, The WeekndI really like the mix of emotion and energy in this song. The Weeknd's voice is smooth and expressive, and the music has a great retro feel.
4. Forget You, CeeLo GreenThis song is fun, catchy, and a little different from most pop songs. I like how CeeLo Green uses soul and funk sounds in a fresh, modern way.
5. Chandelier, SiaSia inspires me not just as a songwriter and performer, but also because of her openness about living with autism and other challenges. Chandelier is raw, powerful, and beautifully written. Her music shows that vulnerability can be a source of strength.
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