Benita Pepper
Special to The Bartlett Express
Sharav Shyam, age 16, son of Vishal and Swati Shyam of Arlington, has earned the Eight Year National Award from the National Guild of Piano Teachers, following the National Piano Guild Auditions in Germantown, where he performed a 10-piece memorized program each year for eight years, earning ratings of Superior (A). Sharav received the Guild’s 8-year
National pin and certificate, and a medal and porcelain bust of Bach from his teacher, Benita Pepper, of Lakeland, with whom he has studied piano for 9 years and performed in seven piano recitals.
Sharav is in 11th grade at Arlington High School. He played French horn in the marching band in ninth grade, received an award after 5 years in dance lessons, and performed a piano solo in the elementary school talent show. His favorite
sports are golf, tennis, and baseball, for which he won an award. Sharav received a trophy for Perennial Math and earned an award in Cub Scouts as a young boy. He is a member of the India Association of Memphis, and HOSA (Health
Occupations Students of America). He has worked as a volunteer at “India Night”, India Fest, the Food Bank, and as a tutor. His hobbies include cooking, dancing, singing, Rubik’s cubes, cars, and being outdoors.
Sharav plans to continue piano throughout high school, after which he will attend college at either U. T. Knoxville or East Tennessee State University, majoring in biochemistry, then applying to medical school to become a surgeon.
