Faculty

Faculty Directory

Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music has a rotating faculty of accomplished musicians from all over the world so students get to study with different sets of faculty during each Semester. SAM’s unique rotational faculty concept maximizes the students’ learning experience to make it as broad musically and culturally as possible.

Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music’s distinguished faculty includes Composers of Oscar Winning Films, Grammy Award nominees, MacArthur Fellows and some of the most in-demand professional musicians in the world that perform and record with the world’s biggest names in music. Our faculty has performed or recorded with such luminaries as Herbie Hancock, Carlos Santana, A.R. Rahman, Coldplay, Journey, Wayne Shorter, Esperanza Spalding, Illayaraja, Peter Gabriel, Eddie Palmieri, Toumani Diabate, Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna, Victor Wooten, Joe Satriani, Hariprasad Chaurasia, Elvin Jones, Steve Coleman, Angelique Kidjo, Vijay Iyer, Jason Moran, Babatunde Olatunji, Umayalpuram Sivaraman, Airto Moreira, Trilok Gurtu, Iva Paposov, Husnu Senlendirici, Stanley Clarke, Kenny Barron, Joshua Redman, Branford Marsalis and many others.

Since its inception in July 2010, around 80 musicians from 24 countries have taught in the Diploma Program.

Fall 2024

Harini Iyer

Harini Iyer, a vocalist based in Chennai, India, boasts over a decade of rigorous training in Carnatic Vocals under the guidance of Smt. Akhila Siva. She has also received instruction in Jazz Vocals from the renowned Lisa Thorson. Harini's musical journey includes studies at the Berklee School of Music in Boston. She contributed to a Grammy-nominated album titled "Shuruaat" with the Berklee Indian Ensemble.
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Voice

Wes Georgiev

Wesley Chalmers Georgiev, based in Eugene, Oregon, pursued a passion for music from a young age, studying classical piano with Christine Mirabella and Genevieve Mason. He expanded into jazz, receiving mentorship from Joe Manis on tenor saxophone and later delving into jazz piano under George Colligan and Kerry Politzer. Wesley excelled academically, graduating summa cum laude from Portland State University's Honors College with a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance (Piano) in 2022.
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Piano

Sarp Maden

Sarp Maden, born in Istanbul in 1968, began playing guitar at 15 and is largely self-taught. He honed his skills with jazz harmony under Berklee graduate Ali Perret.
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Guitar

Peter Nitsch

Peter Nitsch, a versatile musician, holds bachelor's degrees from Nuremberg University of Music and Conservatorium van Amsterdam, along with a master's from Manhattan School of Music.
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Bass

Manukrishnan

Manukrishnan, a versatile drummer from Chennai, India, performs with numerous bands spanning diverse genres such as Jatayu, Chaos, and Many Things. His musical journey commenced in childhood, initially trained as a Carnatic vocalist before transitioning to the Mridangam, eventually finding his calling on the drums. With a solid foundation in Carnatic music and a deep grasp of Western music, Manukrishnan has emerged as one of the most dynamic drummers in India, renowned for his ability to adapt his style to accompany a wide range of musical genres.
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Drums

Dr. Sreyas Narayanun

Born on November 10, 1967, Sreyas is a highly esteemed “Top Rank” graded vocal musician with All India Radio and Doordarshan Chennai. He has been captivating audiences with his powerful performances at prestigious sabhas and organizations across India and abroad. His music is characterized by sincerity and a strong commitment to traditional values, showcasing a deep respect for the art form.
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Carnatic Voice

Umayalpuram Mali

Umayalpuram Mali is a highly respected mridangam player who learned the art from Sri. Kumbakonam Rajappa Iyer and Sri Umayalpuram Sivaraman. With several decades of experience in the field, he has accompanied numerous vocalists and instrumentalists, showcasing his exceptional skills in various performances.
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Konnakol

Kriteka Iyer

Kriteka Iyer joined the ITC Sangeet Research Academy as a Junior Research Scholar in 2012, studying under Ustaad Waseem Ahmed Khan of the Agra Gharana. She further honed her skills under the late Padma Vibhushan Dr. Girija Deviji, exploring various genres including Thumri, Dadra, Chaiti, Kajri, Tappa, and Bhajans.
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Hindustani Voice

Abbas Razvi

Abbas Razvi's interest in sound began in 2007 when he joined his first band, Skrypt, and his career in sound began in 2009 when he joined SAE, Mumbai. After graduating from SAE, Abbas started working at Dhvani/Audio Wizard as their head sound engineer and also was looking into pro audio installations at live venues.
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Audio Production

Nirvan Athreya

Nirvan Athreya - a musician based in Hyderabad, India, has amassed over ten years of global experience collaborating with award-winning artists and working on various film and multimedia projects. A graduate of Berklee College of Music (Class of 2020) and an Asia Tour Scholarship Awardee, Nirvan's career spans a diverse range of roles in the music industry.
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Audio Production

Harshan Radhakrishnan

Harshan Radhakrishnan is a producer/beatmaker, most notable for being the co-founder, producer, mix engineer and keyboardist for the alternative indie outfit "F16s".
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Audio Production

Summer 2024

Graciela Chin A Loi

Raised in the suburbs of Stockholm by Surinamese parents, singer and songwriter Graciela Chin A Loi shares her passion for music with her father, Don Pancho Chin A Loi, a pioneer of Cuban salsa and Caribbean music in Scandinavia. She began her professional journey at the age of sixteen, singing lead vocals in her father’s salsa band.
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Voice

Jakob Zimmermann

Jakob Zimmermann, a pianist, composer, and producer hailing from Bludenz, Austria, is currently pursuing his studies at the Jazzcampus in Basel, Switzerland. He has garnered recognition through achievements such as winning the Young Master Scholarship at the 2014 Outreach Festival and the Tyrolean Youth Jazz Prize in 2015.
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Piano

Lucas Baret

Lucas Baret, originally from Réunion Island and currently based in Paris, France, is an accomplished guitarist with a rich performance history. He has graced stages across France, Réunion Island, the Canary Islands, and Indonesia, collaborating with esteemed European musicians like Stéphane Guillaume and Igor Zakus.
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Guitar

Alex Lofoco

Alex Lofoco, originally from Rome, Italy, now resides in London, UK, where he has established himself as a prominent bassist with a versatile style that spans multiple genres. Influenced by iconic bassists such as Steve Harris (Iron Maiden), Jaco Pastorius, and Victor Wooten, Alex has crafted a distinctive musical style.
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Bass

Manukrishan

Manukrishnan, born in Kochi, Kerala, hails from a family deeply rooted in traditional Carnatic Music. He began his musical journey at five under his father's tutelage in Carnatic vocals and later learned Mridangam
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Drums

Dr. Sreyas Narayanun

Born on November 10, 1967, Sreyas is a highly esteemed “Top Rank” graded vocal musician with All India Radio and Doordarshan Chennai. He has been captivating audiences with his powerful performances at prestigious sabhas and organizations across India and abroad. His music is characterized by sincerity and a strong commitment to traditional values, showcasing a deep respect for the art form.
Read More

Carnatic Voice

Umayalpuram Mali

Umayalpuram Mali is a highly respected mridangam player who learned the art from Sri. Kumbakonam Rajappa Iyer and Sri Umayalpuram Sivaraman. With several decades of experience in the field, he has accompanied numerous vocalists and instrumentalists, showcasing his exceptional skills in various performances.
Read More

Konnakol

Kriteka Iyer

Kriteka Iyer joined the ITC Sangeet Research Academy as a Junior Research Scholar in 2012, studying under Ustaad Waseem Ahmed Khan of the Agra Gharana. She further honed her skills under the late Padma Vibhushan Dr. Girija Deviji, exploring various genres including Thumri, Dadra, Chaiti, Kajri, Tappa, and Bhajans.
Read More

Hindustani Voice

Abbas Razvi

Abbas Razvi's interest in sound began in 2007 when he joined his first band, Skrypt, and his career in sound began in 2009 when he joined SAE, Mumbai. After graduating from SAE, Abbas started working at Dhvani/Audio Wizard as their head sound engineer and also was looking into pro audio installations at live venues.
Read More

Audio Production

Spring 2024

Natalia Kordiak

Natalia Kordiak is a singer, improviser and composer from Poland. She holds a Master of Arts at the Jazz Department of the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice. She is a graduate of "Bednarska" Henryk Majewski College of Jazz in Warsaw.
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Voice

Nirvan Athreya

Nirvan Athreya - a musician based in Hyderabad, India, has amassed over ten years of global experience collaborating with award-winning artists and working on various film and multimedia projects. A graduate of Berklee College of Music (Class of 2020) and an Asia Tour Scholarship Awardee, Nirvan's career spans a diverse range of roles in the music industry.
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Audio Production

Alexandre de Orio

Alexandre de Orio holds a bachelor degree in Music (guitar). He has three postgraduate degrees: Language and Music Structuring, Higher Education, and Guitar. He is currently the Music Director of School of Rock GRU and professor at the Rock Postagradauation at FASM (College). Alexandre has taught courses at the Yamaha Music School in Brazil.
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Guitar

Mateusz Szewcyzk

Mateusz Szewcyzk is a highly skilled bass player with 14 years of experience in both acoustic and electric bass, showcasing versatility across genres like acoustic jazz and fusion. Notable albums featuring him include "Between" (Marcin Pater Trio), "Another Brooklyn" (Sam Levin Trio), and "Nothing But Trouble" (Marcin Pater Trio).
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Bass

Vishnu Reddy

Vishnu Reddy is a drummer from Chennai, India. He is a graduate of Berklee College of Music and has learned under virtuoso drummers such as Dave DiCenso, Ralph Peterson, Phil Maturano, Henrique de Almeida, James Murphy and many more.
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Drums

Dr. Sreyas Narayanun

Born on 10th November, 1967, Sreyas Narayanun is a “TOP RANK“ Graded Vocal Musician of AIR & DD Chennai and has been giving regular performances in all prestigious sabhas & organisations all over India & abroad.
Read More

Carnatic Voice

Umayalpuram Mali

Umayalpuram Mali, an accomplished mridangam artist, honed his craft under the tutelage of Sri Kumbakonam Rajappa Iyer and Sri Umayalpuram Sivaraman.
Read More

Konnakol

Abbas Razvi

Abbas Razvi's interest in sound began in 2007 when he joined his first band, Skrypt, and his career in sound began in 2009 when he joined SAE, Mumbai. After graduating from SAE, Abbas started working at Dhvani/Audio Wizard as their head sound engineer and also was looking into pro audio installations at live venues.
Read More

Audio Production

Fall 2023

Natalia Kordiak

Natalia Kordiak is a singer, improviser, composer. She was nominated for the award of the Polish Phonographic Academy "FRYDERYK 2020" in the PHONOGRAPHIC DEBUT OF THE YEAR - JAZZ category.
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Voice

Nikolai Mishchenko

Nikolai Mishchenko is an award winning pianist and composer, currently based in Boston, MA. He attended the Berklee College of Music under Full Scholarship and graduated with the degrees in Piano Performance and Film Scoring...
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Piano

Bjössi Klütsch

Bjössi Klütsch was born and raised in a musical family in Bamberg, Germany. His musical journey began in early childhood with the violin, which he played throughout his time at a music-focused high school. Influenced by rock and jazz in his early teens, he later switched his principal instrument to guitar.
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Guitar

Adriano Sambatti

Adriano Sambatti began playing bass at the age of nine, performing with regional artists and in churches. His journey took him to São Paulo, where he studied under virtuoso bassist Celso Pixinga, focusing on instrumental music, jazz, and his own compositions. In 2006, he was recognized as one of the seven most talented bass players in Brazil at the IBT Bass Festival in São Paulo.
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Bass

Vishnu Reddy

Vishnu Reddy is a drummer from Chennai, India. He is a graduate of Berklee College of Music and has learned under virtuoso drummers...
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Drums

Dr. Sreyas Narayanun

Born on 10th November,1967, Sreyas is a “TOP RANK “ Graded Vocal Musician of AIR & DD Chennai and has been giving regular performances...
Read More

Carnatic Voice

Umayalpuram Mali

Umayalpuram Mali, an accomplished mridangam artist, honed his craft under the tutelage of Sri Kumbakonam Rajappa Iyer and Sri Umayalpuram Sivaraman.
Read More

Konnakol

Abbas Razvi

Abbas Razvi's interest in sound began in 2007 when he joined his first band, Skrypt, and his career in sound began in 2009 when he joined SAE, Mumbai. After graduating from SAE, Abbas started working at Dhvani/Audio Wizard as their head sound engineer and also was looking into pro audio installations at live venues.
Read More

Audio Production

Summer 2023

Karina del Mar

Karina del Mar is a musician, educator and all around artist from Puerto Rico. Her musical career has been focused on the entrepreneurial development of artists and music companies ranging from music production studios, artist collectives, and music education at a multi-international level. She holds a bachelors degree in Contemporary Writing and Production from Berklee College of Music as well as a Composition degree from the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico.
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Voice

Nikolai Mishchenko

Nikolai Mishchenko is an award winning pianist and composer, currently based in Boston, MA. He attended the Berklee College of Music under Full Scholarship and graduated with the degrees in Piano Performance and Film Scoring...
Read More

Audio

Siddharth Gautam

Siddharth Gautam started his musical pursuit as a youngster in school, learning tabla and playing mostly in school functions...
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Guitar

Sonic Shori

Born and raised in Delhi, Sonic Shori is a highly accomplished musician who has made a name for himself in the Indian music scene. He began his musical journey by studying at the Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music...
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Bass

Vishnu Reddy

Vishnu Reddy is a drummer from Chennai, India. He is a graduate of Berklee College of Music and has learned under virtuoso drummers...
Read More

Drums

Dr. Sreyas Narayanun

Born on 10th November,1967, Sreyas is a “TOP RANK “ Graded Vocal Musician of AIR & DD Chennai and has been giving regular performances...
Read More

Carnatic Voice

Umayalpuram Mali

Umayalpuram Mali learnt the art of playing from Sri. Kumbakonam Rajappa Iyer and Sri Umayalpuram Sivaraman....
Read More

Konnakol

Aravind Bhargav

Aravind Bhargav, a passionate, Vibrant, South Indian Carnatic Classical Mandolin Performing artist, has been learning...
Read More

Carnatic Mandolin

Abbas Razvi

Abbas Razvi's interest in sound began in 2007 when he joined his first band, Skrypt, and his career in sound began in 2009 when he joined SAE, Mumbai. After graduating from SAE, Abbas started working at Dhvani/Audio Wizard as their head sound engineer and also was looking into pro audio installations at live venues.
Read More

Audio Production

Spring 2023

Aditi Malhotra

Aditi Malhotra is a vocalist and composer from New Delhi, India. With an early background in Hindustani Classical Music, and later influences....
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Voice

Joel Lyssarides

Lyssarides began taking piano lessons at the age of 4. Instead of going the traditional way with classical training he instead early on began...
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Piano

Tomas Murmis

Currently based in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and working as a composer, guitarist, arranger, orchestrator, and producer for the realm...
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Guitar

Vishnu Reddy

Vishnu Reddy is a drummer from Chennai, India. He is a graduate of Berklee College of Music and has learned under virtuoso drummers...
Read More

Drums

Dr. Sreyas Narayanun

Born on 10th November,1967, Sreyas is a “TOP RANK “ Graded Vocal Musician of AIR & DD Chennai and has been giving regular performances...
Read More

Carnatic Voice

Umayalpuram Mali

Umayalpuram Mali learnt the art of playing from Sri. Kumbakonam Rajappa Iyer and Sri Umayalpuram Sivaraman....
Read More

Konnakol

Aravind Bhargav

Aravind Bhargav, a passionate, Vibrant, South Indian Carnatic Classical Mandolin Performing artist, has been learning...
Read More

Carnatic Mandolin

Abbas Razvi

Abbas Razvi's interest in sound began in 2007 when he joined his first band, Skrypt, and his career in sound began in 2009 when he joined SAE, Mumbai. After graduating from SAE, Abbas started working at Dhvani/Audio Wizard as their head sound engineer and also was looking into pro audio installations at live venues.
Read More

Audio Production

Fall 2022

Patricia Ramon

Patricia (Patti) Ramon is a professional musician, singer-songwriter, and teacher. She earned a scholarship to attend Berklee College of Music...
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Voice

Luca Nikolau

Luca Nikolau (Lucas dos Santos Nikolau) is a Brazilian guitarist and music teacher. He lived for more than 7 years in the US and had the
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Guitar

Vatsal Bakhda

Classically trained pianist, Vatsal studied under Roshen Gazder, LRSM for over 10 years, and Suddhaseel Sen (Ph.D. in Musicology) for 2 years...
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Piano

Vishnu Reddy

Vishnu Reddy is a drummer from Chennai, India. He is a graduate of Berklee College of Music and has learned under virtuoso drummers...
Read More

Drums

Madipakkam Suresh

Madipakkam P. Suresh, A top grade Mridangam artist started learning mridangam from eminent teacher Kumbakonam...
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Konnakol

Dr. Sreyas Narayanun

Born on 10th November,1967, Sreyas is a “TOP RANK “ Graded Vocal Musician of AIR & DD Chennai and has been giving regular performances...
Read More

Carnatic Voice

Abbas Razvi

Abbas Razvi's interest in sound began in 2007 when he joined his first band, Skrypt, and his career in sound began in 2009 when he joined SAE, Mumbai. After graduating from SAE, Abbas started working at Dhvani/Audio Wizard as their head sound engineer and also was looking into pro audio installations at live venues.
Read More

Audio Production

Summer 2022

Patricia Ramon

Patricia (Patti) Ramon is a professional musician, singer-songwriter, and teacher. She earned a scholarship to attend Berklee College of Music...
Read More

Voice

Alexandre de Orio

Alexandre de Orio holds a bachelor degree in Music (guitar). He has three postgraduate degrees...
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Guitar

Vatsal Bakhda

Classically trained pianist, Vatsal studied under Roshen Gazder, LRSM for over 10 years, and Suddhaseel Sen (Ph.D. in Musicology) for 2 years...
Read More

Piano

Vishnu Reddy

Vishnu Reddy is a drummer from Chennai, India. He is a graduate of Berklee College of Music and has learned under virtuoso drummers...
Read More

Drums

Umayalpuram Mali

Umayalpuram Mali learnt the art of playing from Sri. Kumbakonam Rajappa Iyer and Sri Umayalpuram Sivaraman....
Read More

Konnakol

Dr. Sreyas Narayanun

Born on 10th November,1967, Sreyas is a “TOP RANK “ Graded Vocal Musician of AIR & DD Chennai and has been giving regular performances...
Read More

Carnatic Voice

Aravind Bhargav

Aravind Bhargav, a passionate, Vibrant, South Indian Carnatic Classical Mandolin Performing artist, has been learning...
Read More

Carnatic Mandolin

Abbas Razvi

Abbas Razvi's interest in sound began in 2007 when he joined his first band, Skrypt, and his career in sound began in 2009 when he joined SAE, Mumbai. After graduating from SAE, Abbas started working at Dhvani/Audio Wizard as their head sound engineer and also was looking into pro audio installations at live venues.
Read More

Audio Production

Spring 2021

Harini Iyer

She is a recording and performing vocalist and an educator currently based out of Chennai. Her voice and her musical inclination...
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Voice

Denis Stern

Known for his learnings under master musicians such as Philippe Catrine, Al di Meola, Pat Metheny at the Rimon Jazz school
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Guitar

Ron Cha

Ronojit Chaliha aka. Ron Cha is a Jazz Pianist who trained in Western Classical Piano initially and crossed over to Jazz and improvised music
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Piano

Vishnu Reddy

Vishnu Reddy is a drummer from Chennai, India. He is a graduate of Berklee College of Music and has learned under virtuoso drummers...
Read More

Drums

Umayalpuram Mali

Umayalpuram Mali learnt the art of playing from Sri. Kumbakonam Rajappa Iyer and Sri Umayalpuram Sivaraman....
Read More

Konnakol

Dr. Sreyas Narayanun

Born on 10th November,1967, Sreyas is a “TOP RANK “ Graded Vocal Musician of AIR & DD Chennai and has been giving regular performances...
Read More

Carnatic Voice

Aravind Bhargav

Aravind Bhargav, a passionate, Vibrant, South Indian Carnatic Classical Mandolin Performing artist, has been learning...
Read More

Carnatic Mandolin

Spring 2020

Patricia Ramon

Patricia (Patti) Ramon is a professional musician, singer-songwriter, and teacher. She earned a scholarship to attend Berklee College of Music...
Read More

Voice

Denis Stern

Known for his learnings under master musicians such as Philippe Catrine, Al di Meola, Pat Metheny at the Rimon Jazz school
Read More

Guitar

David Loubeh

Born in São Paulo, Brazil, 12/08/1972, started studying classical piano at 7 years old, and made his first public concert at 12 years old.
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Piano

Lukas Mantel

Playing piano since his childhood, he made his first steps toward performing on drums at the age of sixteen. Playing a wide range of musica
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Drums

Dr. Sreyas Narayanun

Born on 10th November,1967, Sreyas is a “TOP RANK “ Graded Vocal Musician of AIR & DD Chennai and has been giving regular performances...
Read More

Carnatic Voice

Umayalpuram Mali

Umayalpuram Mali learnt the art of playing from Sri. Kumbakonam Rajappa Iyer and Sri Umayalpuram Sivaraman....
Read More

Konnakol

Aravind Bhargav

Aravind Bhargav, a passionate, Vibrant, South Indian Carnatic Classical Mandolin Performing artist, has been learning...
Read More

Carnatic Mandolin