Meet Sunita Param | Singer,Actor,Writer,Producer/The Sunita Param Piano Studio

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sunita Param and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sunita, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
As an actor, work can be sporadic and you truly have no control – whether it’s acquiring the audition or getting the job. The only control you have is doing the work and being prepared for the audition. After years of living the actors life, I wanted and needed to have more stability. Especially as I was getting older and now a mother. I was a musician first – and wanted to get back to my roots. My mother was a pianist and piano teacher and I had played piano since I was 5 and I even started teaching piano during my senior year of high school. But how to start teaching in LA? I know that whenever I’m looking for a teacher, a doctor..whatever…..I want someone to sing the praises of said – whatever- before I even contact the person. Well, as luck would have it, I was a member of my local Mom’s Club in Larchmont Village when my daughter was little and somebody sent an email to the group looking for a piano teacher. And that’s how my studio started. First it was 1 kid…a few months later 3, then 6 then 15. I now have taught hundreds of kids and a few adults in the Larchmont area for the last 14 years out of my home studio. I teach 30 plus kids weekly and I also have 2 teachers – teaching through my studio- giving in home lessons. One of whom, is a former student who I started teaching when he was 5 yrs. old. My studio and reputation have grown solely via word of mouth. It’s incredibly gratifying and fulfilling to be able to share my talents and the gift of music with so many humans. I’m so grateful my mother didn’t let me quit piano when I wanted to at 10 yrs. old. Thank you MOM~!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My dream was always to sing and make music. But life choices and health got in the way. For many years I didn’t perform or sing and it always felt like a part of me was missing – that I wasn’t my true self. After vocal surgery in 2018, I was given a 2nd chance. But so many years had passed since I had performed. Not only did I have to almost re-learn how to sing, but the biggest hurdle, was that of my self confidence – how to find it again. This is a constant work in progress. In 2020 I sat down to write my one woman show BACK TO ME – an autobiographical musical memoir. I chose stories I wanted to tell and songs that I loved from the musical theatre repertoire that would help illuminate those stories. The final product was a 75 minute show where I sing 13 songs accompanied by my incredible pianist and musical director Derek Purdy. The show was directed by my husband Jason Manuel Olazabal. Like with any autobiographical piece, I bare my soul with the hope to ultimately uplift and inspire audiences. I self produced the show and have performed all over CA since late 2020. Most recently at the Whitefire Solofest 2024 where I was the recipient of the ENCORE AWARD and at the Hollywood Fringe Festival 2024 where I was the recipient of the BEST OF ASYLUM 2024 AWARD. I am a firm believer that it is never too late and that there is always an AND. It doesn’t have to be OR. I believe in saying YES.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Los Angeles is full of magic and diverse neighborhoods. There’s so much to do and see. I’ve lived in Larchmont Village for over 17 years, so of course we would start here. We would bike through Hancock Park and take in the gorgeous homes, flora and greenery. If it was Sunday, we’d go to the Larchmont Farmer’s Market, grab a delicious pastry at Clark Street, then work it off at Center For Yoga, where I’m a founding member, and take class with my brilliant teacher Jeanne Heileman. Then grab a massive, delicious chocolate chip and walnut cookie at Levain Bakery. We’d have to hit the Getty…either the Villa or the Center by the 405. Both so gorgeous. I recently went horseback riding in Griffith Park at Sunset Ranch Hollywood and it was so much fun…that would for sure be on the itinerary. We’d have to hike the Escondido Falls Trail in Malibu to the waterfall, check out the Malibu Pier and Carbon Beach. Dinner at Cobi’s for South Asian food is a must in Santa Monica. I was born in Malaysia and the flavors at Cobi’s brings me back to my childhood. We’re right by K-Town, so we’d have to get some Korean BBQ…so many great places..it’s hard to choose. We’d have to do dinner one night at Antico Nuovo, just down the street from my house. Dinner at Osteria Mozza also a must…after 18 years, this Nancy Silverton spot continues to bring it in spades! I love sitting at the mozzarella bar for dinner. There’s the Grove, the Original Farmer’s Market, Grand Central Market for lunch at Sticky Rice and a trip to my wholesale jeweler to salivate over the gorgeous pieces. LACMA, La Brea Tar Pits, Yamashiro for a cocktail and a snack to enjoy the view, the LA Arboretum, Huntington Gardens. The list goes on and on. And of course, no trip to LA would be complete without authentic Mexican food. Again, so much to choose from…I could just go to my local Pavilions at Melrose and Vine for some yummy food at Asadero Los Angeles or head to South LA to Tacos Los Guichos for their Al Pastor….and while there, check out the Watts Towers – Nuestro Pueblo. And all of that is barely scratching the surface.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Well, of course, first and foremost, I must thank my mother Carolyn. Cliche, I know. But it’s the truth. If she allowed me to quit piano when I was 10, I wouldn’t be here. I also have to thank all of the teachers in my life. This includes every single one of the students that I have taught over the years and every single one of my teachers. My piano teachers, my violin and viola teachers, my voice teachers, my conductors, my choir directors, my yoga teachers. All have played a role to shape me into who I am as a human and a teacher today. I must thank Cindy Kessler of the Stuart School of Music in Florida, who was my mother’s piano partner and dear friend. Cindy was my mentor and helped me shape my studio on a business level. I must also thank my husband and daughter for their love and support.

Instagram: @sunitaparam @sunitaparampianostudio

Facebook: sunita param

Youtube: @sunitaparam

Image Credits
Jeff La Pensee
Tami Magaro