Ashwat is a Carnatic vocalist from Cupertino, CA. He currently learns from Shri A.S. Murali, disciple of Padmabhushan Shri P.S. Narayanaswamy. He has performed in the U.S and India, winning awards in the Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana as well as local competitions. He also learns mridangam from Shri Ravindrabharathy Sridharan and has accompanied for several vocal and instrumental performances. He is currently a sophomore studying Bioengineering on a premedicine track in Pittsburgh, PA. Besides schoolwork, he is interested in birdwatching, debate, and creative writing. He has volunteered for the National Audubon Society to help regulate local bird and wildlife conservation efforts, and is also actively involved in his university's science/health focused magazine, debate organization, and Indian classical music organization.