MUSIC
RAJIB KARMAKAR
Sitarist, Composer & Arts Educator | Integrated Arts & Wellness Practitioner
Rajib Karmakar is an Indian-born sitarist, composer, and educator rooted in the tradition of Hindustani classical music, with a global, cross-cultural practice. Trained under esteemed gurus of the Maihar and Senia gharana traditions, his work bridges classical Indian music with contemporary performance, education, and wellness-based applications.
Based in Los Angeles, Rajib has performed and collaborated at internationally renowned venues and institutions, including Walt Disney Concert Hall, Lincoln Center, MIT Kresge Auditorium, REDCAT, Mechanics Hall, and leading festivals across the U.S., Europe, and India. He is also the Founder and Artistic Director of the Los Angeles International Music and Arts Academy (LAIMACADEMY).
His approach emphasizes ragas as tools for emotional balance, mental focus, and cultural connection, integrating music, mindfulness, and pedagogy in both performance and educational contexts.
NEELAMJIT DHILLON
Multi-Instrumentalist, Composer & Cultural Music Practitioner
Neelamjit Dhillon is an award-winning multi-instrumentalist, composer, and performer based in Los Angeles. Born and raised in Vancouver, Canada, he brings together a rich blend of North Indian classical music, American jazz, and contemporary expression through both tabla and saxophone performance. Deeply rooted in tradition, Neelamjit has studied at Ustad Zakir Hussain’s tabla workshop for over two decades and holds a Doctorate in Music from the California Institute of the Arts.
His work reflects his multifaceted identity and artistic vision, exploring themes of spirituality, cultural convergence, and community connection. Neelamjit has premiered acclaimed multimedia compositions including Komagatu Maru at REDCAT Theater, described as “a gorgeous exploration of South Asian–inflected jazz.” He has also composed, arranged, and performed for Disney parks worldwide—including Jungle Book: Alive with Magic—and contributed music for Disney Jr.’s animated series Mira, Royal Detective.
NEEL AGRAWAL
Percussionist, Composer & Arts Educator | Integrated Rhythm & Cultural Practice
Neel Agrawal is a versatile percussionist, composer, and educator whose work spans jazz, world music, Indian and Western classical traditions, electronic music, rock, hip-hop, and film scoring. Known for his deep rhythmic sensitivity and cross-cultural approach, Neel integrates diverse global percussion traditions into contemporary performance and educational contexts.
Based in Los Angeles, he has collaborated and performed with a wide range of acclaimed artists, ensembles, and institutions, and is recognized for his contributions to interdisciplinary arts, cultural preservation, and community engagement. Neel is a recipient of the City of Los Angeles Individual Artist Fellowship and has been honored with a Certificate of Recognition from the Mayor of Los Angeles for his impact on arts and culture.
In addition to performance, Neel’s work extends into research and archiving, including fellowship work with the Harvard Library Innovation Lab, where he explored the intersection of rhythm, history, and cultural policy.
SRIJONI ROY
Indian Classical Vocalist & Music Educator
Srijoni Roy is an accomplished Indian classical vocal teacher with over 10 years of teaching and performance experience across Los Angeles and India. She holds a Master’s degree in Indian Classical Vocal Music from Rabindra Bharati University, one of India’s most prestigious institutions for music and fine arts.
She is a recipient of the Rajya Sangeet Academy Scholarship (2008–2010), during which she trained under the guidance of Pt. Arun Bharudi Guruji and Pt. Falguni Mitra, gaining deep grounding in classical repertoire, raga development, and traditional pedagogy.
Srijoni’s teaching approach emphasizes voice culture, raga clarity, tala precision, and expressive musicality, nurturing students through a structured yet supportive learning process. She is passionate about preserving classical traditions while making them accessible to students of all ages and backgrounds.
MANAK KAMVONGSA
MILES TANNER
Sitar Instructor
Manak Khamvongsa is a sitar practitioner, instructor, and performing artist trained under the guidance of Rajib Karmakar, working within the traditions of Hindustani classical music with an emphasis on raga development, tonal sensitivity, and mindful musicianship.
Alongside his musical training, Manak brings over two decades of experience in Tai Chi and internal movement practices, which deeply inform his musical approach. His interdisciplinary background supports a teaching and performance style rooted in breath awareness, balance, presence, and inner stillness, allowing students and listeners to experience music as both an art form and a contemplative practice.
As a performer, Manak regularly offers live sitar performances in wellness and arts-based settings. He provides sitar accompaniment for Wednesday evening restorative yoga classes, leads and performs in monthly Sacred Sound Baths, and contributes to sound immersion experiences designed for relaxation, reflection, and healing. His performances emphasize gentle raga exploration, sustained resonance, and a calming sonic environment. As an instructor, Manak focuses on foundational sitar technique, posture, right- and left-hand coordination, raga structure, and attentive listening, creating a calm and supportive learning environment for beginners and continuing students alike.
Sitar Instructor
Miles Tanner is a sitar practitioner and emerging instructor trained under the guidance of Rajib Karmakar, engaging deeply with the traditions of Hindustani classical music. His studies focus on developing a strong foundation in raga, rhythm, tonal clarity, and disciplined practice, rooted in classical pedagogy.
Miles approaches sitar as both a musical and meditative discipline, emphasizing attentive listening, technical precision, and expressive nuance. His training reflects a commitment to long-term study and respect for tradition, while remaining open to contemporary contexts and creative exploration.
As an instructor, Miles supports students in building sound technique, posture, right- and left-hand coordination, and raga awareness, fostering a focused and encouraging learning environment. He is dedicated to guiding beginners through the fundamentals while helping students cultivate consistency, confidence, and musical sensitivity. As a performer, Miles has showcased his artistry in esteemed cultural settings, including a featured performance at the Norton Simon Museum’s 50th Anniversary celebration of Live Music in the Galleries, where he was highlighted as a standout sitar performer.