Few people in the world can play an eight-string guitar — senior Shivraj Panja is one of them. Although Shivraj has been playing the standard six-string for over a decade, he started to learn the more challenging, and powerful, eight-string guitar just four years ago. In taking on this new challenge, Shivraj witnessed how he could turn an old activity into a thriving new pursuit.

“I didn’t really like guitar at first because it was just another thing my parents signed me up for,” Shivraj said. “But around COVID, I was on YouTube finding out about all these new artists and songs, and I was like, ‘Ok, I want to play cool stuff like these guys.’ So I picked up my guitar.”

Shivraj’s exploration online led him to discover the heavy metal genre, which became a new lens through which he viewed his guitar practice. Taking inspiration from famous heavy metal guitarists like Herman Li, he invested himself into learning his first few heavy metal songs.

“I would look up how to play each song and try to learn that for weeks on end,” Shivraj said. “I never used to practice, but now I actually had an incentive to take my own time to play guitar outside of classes, just for fun. I made time for it.”

Shivraj brought his interest into his guitar classes with instructor Carl Atilano, where they worked on practicing new songs that Shivraj had found and workshopping the most difficult parts through music theory. Atilano praises Shivraj’s initiative in pursuing technically demanding song choices.

“It was entirely his choosing to take something on like this,” Atilano said. “It’s no small commitment. The pieces that he picks out will take a lot of time and effort over years, and he sees that as part of his journey. That’s a very mature thing to do.”

The complexity of the songs that Shivraj practiced soon required him to upgrade from the usual six-string guitar to a seven-string and, most recently, an eight-string. Senior Rayan Arya, Shivraj’s football teammate and friend since fourth grade, observes how Shivraj pushed himself to further his grasp of music.

“Shivraj is probably one of the most intellectually curious people I know,” Rayan said. “Whenever he finds a topic that’s interesting for him, I know for a fact that he’s going to dive deeper into it. It’s been really cool to see him grow and find his interests through music.”

Shivraj took his pursuit of guitar one step further when he started his own band with two other high school students last summer, after they reached out to him for a new guitarist. Despite having less free time than in previous years, Shivraj committed to picking up the opportunity to perform. They debuted at a block party in June.

“It went terribly, but we all had fun,” Shivraj said. “Up until now the only band performances I had were at school, where we just showed up and played. Now, it’s different because I really know who these people are, and we’re able to work on the types of music that we all enjoy.”

Shivraj rehearses regularly with his band. As the most experienced member, he learned to manage the dynamic of the whole group, looking out for everyone’s performance rather than just his own. Close friend senior Maziar Ziai attests to Shivraj’s thoughtfulness for others. 

“At first, I thought he was a quiet kid,” Maziar said. “Now that I’ve gotten to know him, though, I know that he’s really very caring, under all that quietness and shyness. He’s a great friend.”

As Shivraj looks ahead to graduating, he contemplates having to leave his friends, his band and part of the collection of six guitars that he’s acquired over the years. But one thing is for certain: wherever he goes, he will not stop playing. Shivraj will remember the love of learning — beginning in experimentation yet sustained by dedication — that guitar renewed in him.

“I already love guitar so much, and it will be something I always have,” Shivraj said. “In general, it’s made me more open. I used to be scared to try anything new, but guitar was my first demonstration that trying something new was good.”