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 since 2013, 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.

Arts & Wellness Offerings

Rajib offers personalized instruction, group programs, and curated experiences, including:

  • Hindustani Classical Sitar (Beginner to Advanced)

  • Raga-based Music & Meditation

  • Indian Classical Music Theory & Aesthetics

  • Integrated Arts & Wellness Programs

  • Masterclasses & Lecture-Demonstrations

  • Cross-Cultural & Interdisciplinary Collaborations

  • Workshops for Institutions, Universities & Communities

Special Focus Areas:
Music for mental well-being, cultural preservation, creative expression, interdisciplinary arts education, and community healing through sound.

MUSIC

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.

Music & Arts Offerings

Neelamjit offers personalized instruction, collaborative performance, and creative workshops, including:

  • Tabla Performance & Improvisation

  • Saxophone & Jazz Integration

  • Cross-Cultural Rhythm Studies

  • Composition & Arranging

  • Multimedia Music Projects

  • Collaborative Ensemble Work

  • Masterclasses & Lecture-Demonstrations

Special Focus Areas:
Bridging Indian classical traditions with jazz and contemporary forms, artistic expression for social justice, cultural storytelling through music, and experiential performance.

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.

Rhythm & Arts Offerings

Neel offers personal instruction, group programs, and institutional engagements, including:

  • World & Contemporary Percussion

  • Indian & Global Rhythm Studies

  • Jazz & Improvisation Techniques

  • Cross-Cultural Ensemble Training

  • Rhythm-Based Creative Workshops

  • Masterclasses & Lecture-Demonstrations

  • Interdisciplinary Arts Collaborations

Special Focus Areas:
Rhythm as cultural expression, interdisciplinary music education, creative improvisation, archival research, and community-based arts engagement.