For Shravana Karthikeyan, the journey from a quiet neighbourhood in Singapore’s Lakeside to the vibrant stages of Los Angeles has been guided by one constant force – music.
At just 23, the Singapore-born singer-songwriter, voice actor and musical theatre performer is steadily building a name for herself in the competitive American entertainment scene.
With a recent double major in Vocal Performance and Songwriting from Berklee College of Music in Boston, and a minor in Musical Theatre Performance, Shravana has already begun carving out a space for herself in music, theatre and voice work.
Her latest single, Electric Blue Star, a disco-pop track infused with theatrical flair, has been warmly received, signalling the arrival of a fresh young artiste whose style blends storytelling, emotion and vibrant stage presence.
More releases are on the way, including the upcoming single Celebrate the Win and a full-length album planned for later this year.
But, beyond the music itself, what sets Shravana apart is the cultural and artistic journey that shaped her.
Singapore roots
Shravana was born and raised in Singapore, growing up in the Lakeside area. She studied at Rulang Primary School, later attended CHIJ St Theresa’s Convent, and then moved to Dover Court International School, where she spent two years focusing more seriously on music through programmes linked to the Juilliard School.
Music had entered her life long before formal training.
“Whenever I needed to process emotions as a child, I would sing about it,” she recalled. “Whether I was happy, sad, scared or excited, I would turn it into a song.”
Even during primary school, she would scribble song lyrics between classes. Recognising her passion, her parents encouraged her creativity and enrolled her in private singing lessons when she was just eight.
Shravana grew up in a household deeply immersed in the arts. Her mother Shobhinya, is a respected Bharatanatyam exponent in Singapore who runs a dance academy and has trained students for decades.
Under her mother’s guidance, Shravana was introduced early to Bharatanatyam and Carnatic music, laying the foundations for her artistic versatility.
“I didn’t realise it then, but those early experiences shaped my understanding of rhythm, storytelling and performance,” she said.
A versatile performer
In Singapore, Shravana trained extensively in pop vocals, classical singing and musical theatre, completing examinations with the London College of Music and ABRSM. She also played guitar in her secondary school ensemble.
Her interests later expanded to include Western classical music, songwriting and musical theatre – a blend that now defines her distinctive artistic voice.
Today, she continues studying Indian classical traditions as well, taking online lessons in both Carnatic and Hindustani singing with teachers in India.
Her time at Berklee further broadened her musical outlook. Exposure to groups like the Berklee Indian Ensemble and the South Asian Ensemble rekindled her interest in Indian classical music.
“Being part of those communities made me realise how rich and powerful these traditions are,” she said.
Berklee and beyond
Shravana moved to the United States about four and a half years ago after being admitted to Berklee following a competitive virtual audition process during the Covid-19 pandemic.
She was also awarded a partial scholarship, an achievement that confirmed her growing potential as a performer.
At Berklee, she pursued a double major in Vocal Performance and Songwriting, with a focus on writing music for film and television.
She graduated in August 2025 and moved almost immediately to Los Angeles, a city known both for its creative energy and its fierce competition.
Instead of easing into the industry, Shravana jumped straight into the scene.
She currently performs in the musical The Lost Princesses of Oz at the Santa Monica Playhouse, playing one of the lead roles, Dotty.
At the same time, she has begun performing her own original music across Los Angeles venues including The Mint and Bar Lubitsch, where she performs with a band formed alongside fellow musicians she met during her Berklee years.
The group typically includes a guitarist, bassist, pianist and drummer, occasionally joined by violin, flute or saxophone.
A storyteller in song
Shravana describes her music as musical theatre-inspired pop, blending uplifting melodies with emotionally driven storytelling.
“My songs offer reminders to celebrate yourself and embrace both vulnerability and strength,” she said.
The style has begun attracting audiences who appreciate heartfelt songwriting and positive messages.
She draws inspiration from artistes such as Sara Bareilles and Tori Kelly, whose music combines emotional depth with powerful vocal performance.
“I admire how their songs spark hope and joy while still touching the heart,” she said.
That balance between emotion and optimism is something she hopes to bring to her own work.
A Singaporean voice abroad
Even as she builds her career in Los Angeles, Shravana says Singapore remains central to her identity as an artiste.
“Singapore will always be home for me,” she said. “The values and perspectives I grew up with shape the way I write music and tell stories.”
Her long-term ambition is to build an international career across music, musical theatre and voice acting, while also writing songs for films and animated productions.
She is already pursuing voice acting opportunities through an agent, auditioning for projects with major studios including Universal Pictures and HBO.
But wherever her career takes her, Shravana hopes to carry a piece of Singapore with her.
“My goal is to represent Singapore on global stages,” she said. “I want my work to connect people through music, storytelling and joy.”
For a young artiste who began writing songs between classes in a Singapore primary school, that journey is only just beginning.
santosh@sph.com.sg
