Conversations with Peerapon Sujjavanich

Today we’d like to introduce you to Peerapon Sujjavanich.

Hi Peerapon, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My name is Peerapon Sujjavanich. My stage name is Nateharn (my mother’s maiden name). I am a second generation Asian-American, and son of immigrants from Thailand. In 1974, they came to the USA with student visas, and are now naturalized citizens. My father graduated from the NCSU School of Design in Landscape Architecture, and started his own architecture firm (Surapon Sujjavanich, Architects, P.A.). His firm designed many government projects for North Carolina. He is now retired and specializes in passive solar energy. My mother graduated from UNCG with a degree in education, and now owns and runs Sujjavanich Properties, LLC (Providing multi-family rental properties in North Carolina). It is our second family business. My older sibling, Darin Nateharn Sujjavanich, works in clinical research. She graduated from UNC Chapel Hill, ECU, and Campbell University. I was born and raised in Apex, North Carolina, USA, and graduated from NCSU with a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design.

I first started taking traditional piano lessons at the age of 5 with piano teacher Margaret Kelder. I didn’t know how to read music, and still don’t. For piano recitals, I would memorize the music and do my own version of the song. When I was in elementary school (Apex Elementary), I played the piano at talent shows and Thai Association of North Carolina New Year’s Eve parties. When I was in middle school (Apex Middle), I played the trumpet and auxiliary percussion in the concert band and jazz ensemble with band director Ruth Mock. When I was in high school (Apex High), I played trumpet, auxiliary percussion, and electric bass in the concert band, wind ensemble, jazz band, marching band, and pep band with band director Joe Akers. When I was a student at North Carolina State University, I played drums for several cover and original bands at house parties, fraternities, the NCSU College of Design Halloween Bash, the NCSU Music Fraternity talent competitions, and music venues throughout Downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.

It took me 5 years to graduate from NCSU. In my 4th year, I was diagnosed with a mental illness called Type 1 Bipolar Disorder. I have been living with it for the past 22 years. During one of my hospitalizations at the North Carolina Neurosciences Hospital, I was glued to the ward’s piano for the entire stay. Out of nowhere, I composed an original classical overture. After successful treatment and hospital discharge, I took the song into a professional recording studio, collaborating with a professional cellist.

At the beginning of the pandemic, 2020, I started to take therapy classes at The Farm at Penny Lane, Pittsboro, North Carolina, USA. After 4 years of therapy classes and volunteering at the Farm, I conquered my anxiety, and my brain was better focused. The music therapy teacher helped sponsor my debut single in 2023, Nateharn -“Walk On”, through his nonprofit “Music Over Mind” (Dedicated to the Betterment of Mental Health through Advocacy & Music). And in 2024, Nateharn – “Flight”, my second single.

For the entire year of 2024, as a singer-songwriter, I played my original music at many different open mic nights throughout the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and surrounding areas in North Carolina, USA. I did it to help get rid of my stage fright, and help develop my singing voice. I am still an untrained vocalist that cannot read music. I play and record everything by ear.

After hearing me play my original music, I was invited by Dr. Suriya Chindawongse (Ambassador of Thailand to the United States of America) of the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington D.C., USA. to play in a festival at Tyson’s Corner Center, Virginia, USA. The performance was a major turning point in my ongoing music journey.

I still enjoy writing, composing, recording, and performing my original music in front of live audiences. Music genres that I have played and recorded original music to include – rock, hard rock, classic rock, alternative, independent, classical, electronic dance music (EDM), instrumental beats, pop, and adult-contemporary.

I have 2 external hard drives filled to the brim with original instrumentals from high school (Class of 1999) to present. Original music recorded during pre-diagnosis, post-diagnosis battling with finding the right medications, battling with my addictions (I am 12 years sober), to present day of mental health stability and sobriety.

In addition to music, I am a volunteer, photographer, videographer, video editor, graphic designer, and artist.

Volunteer work that I have done
in the past, present, and future :

1) Photography for
“NAMI North Carolina”
North Carolina, USA

2) Photography for
“NAMI Wake County”
Wake County, North Carolina, USA

3) Photography for
“NAMI Walks”
North Carolina, USA

4) Photography for
“Walk For Hope”
Raleigh, North Carolina, USA

5) Photography for
“UNC Suicide Prevention Walk”
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA

6) Farming Workdays for
“The Farm at Penny Lane”
Pittsboro, North Carolina, USA

7) Harvest Crew for
“The Farm at Penny Lane”
Pittsboro, North Carolina, USA

8) United Service Organizations “USO”
RDU International Airport, North Carolina, USA

Art Exhibitions :

Brushes With Life : Art Exhibition
Digital Illustration
North Carolina Neurosciences Hospital
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA

PhotoVoice : Photography Exhibition
Digital Photography
The ArtsCenter
Carrboro, North Carolina, USA

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
1) Type 1 Bipolar Disorder diagnosis (2003) – Finding the right psychiatrist, finding the right medications. I’ve had ECT (Electro Convulsive Therapy) 77 times to help with my depression.

2) Addiction to hypomania and mania – Addicted to an increased creativity in making music.

3) Addictions – Combining alcohol, illicit drugs, menthol cigarettes, vaping, and energy drinks with mental illness medications. I am now 12 years sober since 2013.

4) Type 2 Diabetes diagnosis

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
1) What do you do?
I am a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist musician, composer, arranger, producer. I am also a photographer, graphic designer, and artist.

2) What do you specialize in?
Recording and producing my own original music of various music genres.

3) What are you known for?
My volunteer photography. I enjoy taking photos of musicians and bands playing live music throughout the RTP and surrounding areas. My photography (from the Farm at Penny Lane, Pittsboro, North Carolina) was featured at the “PhotoVoice : Photography Exhibition” at The ArtsCenter, Carrboro, North Carolina, USA. I also do volunteer photography for “North Carolina NAMI Walks”, “Walk for Hope”, “UNC Suicide Prevention Walk”

4) What are you most proud of?
After hearing me play my original music, I was invited by Dr. Suriya Chindawongse (Ambassador of Thailand to the United States of America) of the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington D.C., USA. to play in a festival at Tyson’s Corner Center, Virginia, USA. The performance was a major turning point in my ongoing music journey.

5) What sets you apart from others?
Conquering my addictions – 12 years sober; Living with mental illness – Type 1 Bipolar Disorder; Overcoming my Type 2 Diabetes diagnosis.

What does success mean to you?
Never forgetting your past, learning from your past, and moving forward. Donating time to help others in need. Investing and preparing for the future.