by Mom of Keerat Sharma, SNTS Winner
Graphics by: Angela Zhao, FCSN Voices Graphic Artist

Showers of golden confetti, bright lights, loud applause, glistening golden trophies and multiple
envelopes filled with prize money—that’s Keerat’s memory of winning the FCSN Special Needs
Talent Showcase (SNTS) competition in the spring of 2024. It was by far the happiest moment of
his young life (12 years old), one that may never be surpassed. A shy little boy who barely talks
and prefers not to be seen, got on stage that day and dazzled the audience by playing his self-
composed Piano Sonata.

The SNTS preliminary audition in January 2024 was the first time Keerat ever played the piano
for an audience. Before that, he had only played for his teachers or his mom, never even
performing for family. On the day of the audition, by his own will, he gathered all his courage
and stood in front of the judges to do what he loves most—play his music. Up until the
audition, I wasn’t sure if he would step up on stage and play or just feel too shy and leave. He
walked out with a Certificate of Participation and he felt like a winner. Later that week, we
learned that he made it to the Finals, he was ecstatic, though still very nervous.
For two months, Keerat worked relentlessly with his teacher, editing his self-composed piece to
fit the five-minute performance window. Once finalized his edition, he practiced and practiced
for seemingly a million times until he mastered it. All by his own determination, he pushed
himself very hard so he could win. He somehow knew this was his only way to shine and be
seen. I saw a completely different side of him—one that could persevere and give his best
where it truly mattered, a side I didn’t even how existed. A side that would make any mom
proud.

Since his win at the SNTS final competition, Keerat has found his calling and is passionately
pursuing it. He has since won 3rd prize in Composition at the Classical Music Awards, first prize
and a career scholarship at the Tizziano Rossetti Academy in Switzerland, and this August, he
performed as part of the Finalists at the American Virtuoso Competition at the Catholic
University in Washington DC.

None of this would have been possible if he hadn’t stepped on stage that cold January day at
the FCSN SNTS preliminary audition. After winning as one of the TOP 3 WINNERS at the 2024
SNTS final competition, Keerat said to me, “So many people have never come to me before to
say I did a good job.”