Faculty
Kedar Naphade
Founder & Faculty Member - Harmonium
Kedar Naphade
Kedar Naphade is a globally renowned concert Harmonium player, an exponent of Indian classical, semi-classical and devotional music. Kedar Naphade received preliminary training in Hindustani Classical Music from his grandfather, Shri Dadasaheb Naphade and from Shri Arvind Gajendragadkar. Since the age of 9, he has been a disciple of Late Pt. Tulsidas Borkar, arguably the greatest harmonium player of our times.
Shubhada Gaikwad
Program Manager & Faculty Member - Harmonium
Shubhada Gaikwad
Shubhada Gaikwad is a skilled harmonium artist trained under Pt. Tulsidas Borkar & Pt. Sudhir Nayak. She holds the NCPA Harmonium Scholarship (2022–24) & is a graded artiste with All India Radio. A faculty member at Sharda Sangeet Vidyalaya, Bandra, she has performed solo & collaborated with vocalists, tabla players, & Kathak dancers at major festivals and cultural institutions across India.
Neil Khare
Affiliated Faculty Member - Tabla
Neil Khare
Neil Khare began learning tabla at age 4 from his father, Anil Khare, & later trained under Shri Surakshya Deshpande & Dr. Amod Dandawate. He has accompanied renowned artists like Smt. Gauri Pathare & Smt. Aarti Anklikar, performed on New York television, & won several instrumental solo awards. He is currently based in Philadelphia, working full-time in private equity.
Suresh Ramaswamy
Affiliated Faculty Member - Tabla
Suresh Ramaswamy
Suresh Ramaswamy received his initial tabla training from Shri Nishikant Barodekar of the Punjab Gharana & further guidance from Pt. Kiran Deshpande of the Farrukhabad Gharana. He has accompanied numerous eminent artists in India, USA, & Canada, including Pt. Babanrao Haldankar, Begum Parveen Sultana, Vid. Purnima Sen, Pt. Vinayak Torvi, Pt. Upendra Bhat, Pt. Debi Prasad Ghosh, Shri Dilshad Khan
Panel of Advisors
Pt. Sudhir Nayak
Advisor & Visiting Faculty - Harmonium
Pt. Sudhir Nayak
Pandit Sudhir Nayak is a renowned Indian classical harmonium player, trained under Pt. Tulsidas Borkar and Pt. Jitendra Abhisheki. Acclaimed as both a soloist and accompanist, he has performed globally with top musicians across various genres. Known for his deep knowledge, creativity, and decades of experience, he is a respected guru, composer, and collaborator in innovative music and arts projects.
Pt. Rajendra Vaishampayan
Advisor
Pt. Rajendra Vaishampayan
Rajendra, originally pursuing a degree in Software Engineering, was introduced to the art of Samvadini by the maestro Pt. Manohar Chimote, which became a turning point in his life. Under Pt. Chimote’s guidance, he began learning and exploring the Samvadini, a modified version of the harmonium designed for solo performances. Rajendra has performed solo in India and the USA and had the privilege of accompanying renowned artists
Pt. Ravindra Katoti
Advisor & Visiting Faculty - Harmonium
Pt. Ravindra Katoti
Pandit Ravindra Katoti, disciple of Harmonium maestro Pt. Rambhau Bijapure, is a distinguished Indian classical harmonium exponent. His solo performances are celebrated for their gayaki ang presentation, He is equally adept at khayal, thumri, dhun, and natyageet, Pt. Katoti continues to enrich the tradition of harmonium playing with his artistry and dedication.
Chandrika Tandon
Advisor
Chandrika Tandon
Chandrika Tandon is a Grammy Award-winning vocalist and composer, trained in Hindustani, Carnatic, and Western music. Her debut album *Soul Call* (2009) earned a Grammy nomination in 2011. In 2024, she won her first Grammy for Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album for *Triveni*, released at age 70. Known for blending spirituality with classical roots, Tandon has gained a global following while continuing to innovate across musical traditions.
Pt. Samir Chatterjee
Advisor
Pt. Samir Chatterjee
Pandit Samir Chatterjee is a renowned tabla maestro of the Farukhabad Gharana and the Founder and Artistic Director of Chhandayan, New York. Celebrated for his performances, compositions, and teaching, he has been instrumental in connecting Indian and global music traditions. His artistry and scholarship have made him a leading figure in promoting tabla and Indian classical music worldwide.
Pt. Omkar Gulvady
Advisor
Pt. Omkar Gulvady
Pandit Omkar Gulvady is a veteran tabla maestro with over five decades of experience. An “A” grade artiste of All India Radio and Doordarshan, he has performed as both soloist and accompanist at major music festivals in India and internationally. He has collaborated with top vocalists and instrumentalists and contributed to landmark recording projects for the University of Washington archives (1993, 1997), preserving Indian classical music traditions.
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