At 16, Srujan Salian becomes the first Indian at A Cappella Academy and Broadway Artists Alliance, excelling in music and academics.
Srujan Salian
At just 16, Mumbai’s Srujan Salian has achieved what few artists twice his age could dream of - becoming the first Indian to be selected for both the globally renowned A Cappella Academy (Los Angeles) and the prestigious Broadway Artists Alliance (New York).
A Historic Beginning at A Cappella Academy
In 2023, at the age of 14, Srujan became the first Indian ever accepted into the A Cappella Academy, a highly selective international training program founded by Grammy-winning arranger Ben Bram, Pentatonix alumnus Avi Kaplan, and acclaimed a cappella arranger Rob Dietz. The Academy is celebrated worldwide for developing exceptional young vocalists.
Over three years, Srujan trained under world-class mentors:
- Year 1 (2023): Christopher Diaz - Singer, arranger, and vocal coach who co-founded the touring a cappella group The Exchange and has performed internationally.
- Year 2 (2024): Zahara Annette Philip - Grammy- and Emmy-nominated musician, Artistic Director of Berklee India Exchange, founder of Women of the World, and collaborator with legendary composer A.R. Rahman. Zahara is known for her innovative teaching in ensemble singing and vocal improvisation.
- Year 3 (2025): Tehillah Alphonso - GRAMMY-nominated Nigerian-American arranger, vocalist, and music director who has performed on major film scores and with artists like Olivia Rodrigo and Billie Eilish.
Guidance from Vocal Coach Leena Rajan
Throughout this journey, Leena Rajan, renowned Mumbai-based vocal coach and founder of Acapella India, has played a pivotal role in shaping Srujan’s musical growth. Leena says,
“Srujan has an extraordinary work ethic and passion for music. Balancing the demands of international vocal training and the rigorous IBDP curriculum is not easy, but his dedication and love for music make him a joy to mentor. I’m proud to see him achieve milestones that inspire young singers across India.”
Together with Leena, Srujan also co-arranged and sung backing vocals for rapper Dino James’s latest album Priceless - a project that gave him early professional experience in India’s music industry.
Balancing Music and Academics
Srujan is currently pursuing the IBDP curriculum at Oberoi International School, one of the most challenging academic programs in India. Despite the intense coursework, he continues to excel academically while reaching historic milestones in music - a testament to his discipline, time management, and Leena’s supportive guidance.
Breaking New Ground on Broadway
In 2025, Srujan became the first Indian to be selected for the Broadway Artists Alliance (BAA), New York, a prestigious program that trains performers in front of Broadway directors, choreographers, and casting agents. During his training at BAA and the Broadway Student Summit, he worked with cast members from Maybe Happy Ending, Les Misérables, The Little Mermaid, Back to the Future, Seussical, and Sweeney Todd, as well as performers from Wicked, The Outsiders, and Hamilton.
An Inspiration for Young India
From being the first Indian at the A Cappella Academy to representing India at Broadway Artists Alliance, while excelling in IBDP academics and even contributing to India’s music industry, Srujan’s journey embodies talent, perseverance, and dedication. Standing before casting directors in New York at just 16, he has paved the way for future Indian performers dreaming of the global stage.
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