Shyama’s Testimonial

"The training at LAM in voice, piano, and violin were all vital in my development as an artist. Coming from a solely Indian music background, LAM was my introduction to Western music, and each of my teachers' dedicated instruction helped me see the cross-cultural musical bridges that I now build my career upon. Of all the skills, quick and quality music reading abilities have served me well. Since Indian music exists so much "off the page" what I learned at LAM was to also "trust the page." Now, when I write my own music, whether it be Indian or Western in orientation, I commit everything to sheet music, as I find it important for its life beyond. "

Biography: Shyama is an emerging Indian-American writer, composer, and choreographer who works most often in live Theater settings. Her expertise lies in the cross-cultural play between classical Indian and Western performance traditions. She holds a BFA in musical theatre from Western Kentucky University, an MFA from Yale University, and is currently working towards her DFA from the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale. Her recent musical theater work include The Sound of an Anklet (Book, Music, & Lyrics), A Game of Dice (Book, Music, & Lyrics), and The Rasa Jar (Music, & Lyrics). These works reimagine Indian myths, theatrical traditions, and musical genres for contemporary American audiences. She has presented work at New York's 54 Below, The Yale Cabaret, NYU's Provincetown Playhouse, The Kentucky Center for The Arts, the Lyric theater, and venues in India. In addition to her creative work, she co-directs the Guru Vandana Arts Academy (An Indian classical dance company) and Geeva Arts Festival (Indian Classical dance and music festival) in Kentucky. https://www.shyamaiyer.com/