Varun Parikh is a musician-turned-audio engineer who was instrumental in bringing the globally renowned Abbey Road Institute to Mumbai. As Director of the institute, he oversees programme delivery and mentors emerging talent, ensuring that our students benefit from an academic environment aligned to the highest global standards.

His musical journey began on stage, performing with college bands across Mumbai and Pune in the late 2000s. Although he initially pursued chartered accountancy, it was while studying filmmaking that he discovered his true calling in sound. He went on to complete a diploma in sound engineering and gained hands-on experience at studios around Mumbai, before embarking on a varied career as both a studio engineer and freelancer.

Over the past decade, Varun has collaborated with leading Indian and international artists including Karsh Kale, Sa Dingding, Warren Mendonsa, Benny Dayal, Apeksha Dandekar, Vir Das, Ankur Tiwari, Divine, MC Altaf, KSHMR and a wide range of independent across a diverse range of genres. Beyond working with artists, he has contributed to over 2,000 commercial projects in roles such as recording engineer, sound designer, post-production engineer, re-recording mixer, dialogue editor, Foley editor, ADR engineer, mastering engineer and music supervisor.

In 2020, Varun founded Bay Owl Studios with two purpose-built rooms dedicated to recording and audio post-production. Under his leadership, despite opening only a month before the Covid-19 lockdowns, the facility has expanded to five multipurpose studios, establishing a reputation as a centre of excellence for audio recording, production and artist collaboration.

Varun earned industry recognition for his work in 2024; when he received the Indian Recording Arts Academy (IRAA) Award for Best Song Mix (Electronic), and also when another mix of his won Best Rock Song (Original) at the Cannes World Film Festival Awards in France.

Today, Varun brings that same passion for sonic excellence and hands-on expertise to shaping India’s next generation of audio professionals as the Director of Abbey Road Institute Mumbai.

Puneet Samtani is an accomplished sound engineer, music producer, sound designer, and educator with over 18 years of diverse experience in the sound and music industry.

As Head Lecturer at Abbey Road Institute Mumbai, Puneet will oversee the day-to-day academic operations, delivery of lectures, mentoring of students, conducting assessments and examinations, and ensuring that the continued curriculum delivery from other faculty meets the global standards. He strives to develop the skills needed by students to thrive in real-world scenarios, while fostering their personal growth and professional discipline. His strong profile within the audio industry will allow for facilitation of top industry workshops and mentorship programmes, as well as strong student placement support.

Alongside his role at the institute, Puneet continues to his foray into the world of commercial audio work, and his expertise spans across recording, mixing, editing, and producing music for feature films, music albums, OTT series, radio, and television commercials.
He has contributed to the background scores of more than 15 feature films, including Rockstar, Ishaqzaade, Shaitaan, Tashan, Dawaat-e-Ishq, and Bhool Bhulaiyaa, and has recorded music for globally acclaimed films such as Slumdog Millionaire, 127 Hours, Delhi-6, and No One Killed Jessica. Puneet has collaborated with industry legends such as Ranjit Barot, A.R. Rahman, Ustad Zakir Hussain, Taufiq Qureshi, Mikey McCleary, George Brooks, and Vijay Prakash.

He was instrumental in creating and editing music for high-profile international events, including the 2010 Commonwealth Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies and the 2018 Hockey World Cup Opening Ceremony in Odisha for composer Ranjit Barot. In the world of streaming and contemporary entertainment, Puneet recently served as Sound Designer for The Greatest Rivalry – India Vs Pakistan, and as Music Editor for IC814: The Kandahar Hijack, both Netflix Originals.

Anushka, a.k.a Nush, Lewis is a singer-songwriter, composer, producer, and one of India’s few contemporary harpists.
As Academic Facilitator at Abbey Road Institute Mumbai, Nush oversees the day-to-day academic operations, mentors students, and ensures that the continued curriculum delivery from faculty meets global standards. She helps students develop both the creative and technical skills needed to thrive in music, while fostering their personal growth, professional discipline, and a strong sense of community within the Institute. Her strong industry connect allows for facilitation of the best guest lecturers, top industry workshops, and strong student placement support.

Anushka trained at KM Music Conservatory and has also completed a summer program from the Berklee College of Music. She is known for her evocative sound and multidisciplinary approach, and has released multiple EPs and collaborations with leading artists across genres, theatre, and multimedia storytelling.

Beyond the stage, Nush is a force in reimagining arts education in India. She is the founder of OffSet Education, a platform focused on enhancing education for creative institutions, and Out of the Box (OOTB), a national network for music educators. Her work bridges performance and pedagogy, with a strong emphasis on building sustainable ecosystems for artists, educators, and learners alike.

Whether composing for theatre, curating programs, or crafting delicate, emotionally resonant music, Nush’s practice is rooted in storytelling, innovation, and the belief that art and education must remain inclusive, curious, and ever-evolving.

A qualified Electronics Engineer, Mujeeb Dadarkar has had varied experience as an independent consultant in a variety of fields including Sound Engineering, Studio Design, Computer Hardware, Live Sound Engineering and Systems Integration. He has been a recording engineer and technical consultant to the Audio/ Video industry since 1983. In addition, he has designed and custom built various electronic equipment for specific application in the field.

Mujeeb has had extensive experience as an Acoustical and Technical consultant for a number of studios and performance halls involving design and equipment & systems specifications.

His experience as a sound engineer has spanned numerous documentary, advertising and feature film projects. In addition, he has extensive Live sound experience for world class artistes like Ustad Zakir Hussein for whom Mujeeb has worked as FOH engineer on concert tours like “Masters of Percussion” as well as several other concerts.

In addition to working as an Acoustical and Systems/ Technical Consultant and Sound Engineer, he is also visiting faculty for Sound Engineering at a leading institute for technical services education.

Ashyar Balsara is a Mastering & Mixing Engineer who graduated from Abbey Road Institute London in 2017. Shortly after, he joined Island City Studios in Mumbai as an engineer. He became part of the team even before the studio was fully operational, contributing significantly to the final stages of construction and the setup of all audio equipment. He also helped train assistant engineers — an experience he describes as deeply enriching.

Today, apart from teaching at Abbey Road Institute Mumbai, Ashyar primarily focuses on mastering and mixing. His portfolio spans a wide range of projects, including Netflix true crime documentaries like Indian Predator, wildlife films, BBC Radio 4 audio dramas such as The Jungle Book, commercial Bollywood productions, independent music, movie background scores, podcasts, and audiobooks. The diversity of projects continues to inspire Ashyar in his day-to-day work. He looks forward to delivering exceptional studio experiences for artists and clients, while actively working to refine and improve studio systems and workflows.

Richard Francis is an audio engineer and lecturer at Abbey Road Institute Mumbai. With over 20 years of hands-on studio experience, Richard brings deep industry knowledge and a practical, no-nonsense approach to both his engineering work and his teaching. Having started his career in 2003, he spent a decade honing his craft as an assistant engineer, learning the ropes entirely on the job in professional studio environments.

Richard’s career is defined by versatility. He has worked across a wide spectrum of audio projects, particularly excelling as a mixing engineer. His credits include collaborations with respected artists such as Louie Banks, Rajat Dholakia, Roy Venkatram, Bobby Duggal, and Zubin Balaporia, among others. Richard’s strength lies in his ability to adapt to a wide range of styles and workflows, an approach he sums up simply: “Variety is the spice of life.”

Today, Richard continues to work on diverse audio projects while also teaching modules in the programmes at Abbey Road Institute Mumbai. His extensive real-world experience allows him to provide students with a grounded and highly practical understanding of studio practices and working with clients.
Whether in the control room or the classroom, Richard’s passion for sound and dedication to craftsmanship make him a valued mentor for the next generation of audio professionals.

Raghav is an acclaimed singer-songwriter, music entrepreneur, and creative visionary whose work bridges the worlds of artistry and the music business. His music has resonated with audiences far and wide, from intimate live venues across India to the screens of popular OTT shows and films, including Farzi and Rafta Rafta. His ability to amplify storytelling through sound has made him a sought-after collaborator in the entertainment industry.

Beyond his work as an artist, Raghav is also the founder of first.wav, a music company run by artists for artists. He previously spearheaded Big Bang Music (Records) India, and established them as a powerhouse in the Indian music landscape. Today, through his role and platform at first.wav, and his broader work as a music business executive, he helps shape new opportunities and build stronger creative communities within India’s independent music scene.

At Abbey Road Institute Mumbai, Raghav will teach the Music Business & Management curriculum, bringing his unique perspective to help our students understanding the evolving landscape of the modern music business in India.

Ritika Khakhra leads marketing and communications at Abbey Road Institute Mumbai, driving the Institute’s visibility among aspiring music professionals. She develops and executes digital campaigns, social media strategy, email marketing, and website content, setting clear targets and monitoring performance.

Alongside her work at Abbey Road Institute Mumbai, Ritika also manages Bay Owl Studios’ marketing presence. She leverages trends and audience insights to craft engaging campaigns across platforms, and maintains strong relationships with recruitment agents, schools and colleges to support student outreach.

Within the Institute, she collaborates closely with academic and creative teams to produce promotional materials, update the CRM-driven enquiry system and analyse recruitment data. Ritika also represents ARI Mumbai at career fairs, guest-lectures and industry events, reinforcing the brand’s reputation for excellence.

Her blend of creative thinking, attention to detail and data-driven decision-making ensures that both Abbey Road Institute Mumbai and Bay Owl Studios connect authentically with their audiences and continue to grow.

Sylvia Massy is an American entrepreneur, music producer, mixer and engineer, writer and artist based in the United States. Massy is perhaps best recognized for her work on 1993’s Undertow, the full-length double platinum-selling debut for Los Angeles rock band Tool and her works with System of a Down, Johnny Cash and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

While working at Larrabee Sound in West Hollywood, Sylvia connected with producer Rick Rubin and would work with him on several projects including Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Slayer, Donovan, Geto Boys, The Black Crowes, Danzig, and System of a Down’s debut album, as well as Johnny Cash’s album Unchained, which won a Grammy award for Best Country Album in 1997. Further into the ’90s, Massy continued to produce many popular artists, a fore mentioned Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sevendust, and Powerman 5000, which featured guest appearances from Rob Zombie and actor Malachi Throne from Star Trek fame. In 1997 alone, Massy co-produced, engineered and mixed Foo Fighters, Björk, Patti Smith, Sonic Youth and for the Beastie Boys’ « Tibetan Freedom Concert » in New York with Adam Yauch and producer Pat McCarthy.

Also during her time in Los Angeles, Massy engineered, produced or mixed on recordings from a diverse group of internationally-known artists, including Aerosmith, Babyface, Big Daddy Kane, Bobby Brown, Prince, Julio Iglesias, Seal, Skunk Anansie, Paula Abdul, Ryuichi Sakamoto and many more. Not to mention her work with manager Gary Kurfirst on Irish rock band Cyclefly for Kurfirst’s Radioactive Records. Massy’s repertoire is far and wide, giving her a continuously competitive edge and ability to create with artists across genres and decades.

Karan Kanchan, one of India’s most in-demand production talents, is a multi-genre music producer, composer, and recording artist. Karan, who has amassed over 1 Billion streams across all his credits, is responsible for some of the country’s biggest hits, such as DIVINE’s ‘Baazigar’, KING & Jason Derulo’s ‘Bumpa’, Shubh’s ‘OG’, and ‘Ishq Nachaawe’ from the film “Kho Gaye Hum Kahan”, to name a few.

What began in 2012 from a small bedroom studio in his parents’ Mumbai home, has evolved into a career that has single handedly redefined what it means to be a “producer” in this country. Today, Karan is one of India’s most decorated and influential sonic architects, continuously innovating and pushing creative boundaries with his sound.

Having powered India’s leading artists, Karan is now stepping onto the global stage with his debut album in 2025. The project is set to feature collaborations with some of India’s most iconic names – both past and present – further cementing his place as a pioneer in the industry.

In 2025, Karan Kanchan’s impact on the music industry was recognized with a Forbes 30 Under 30 honor, cementing his influence as a trailblazing producer and innovator.

In a career spanning over 25 years, Dhruv has composed path-breaking music across all genres and has received over two dozen international awards for his work. His vast experience encompasses scoring music for over 4000 commercials, producing channel idents for virtually every television network in India and overseas. A celebrated multi instrumentalist/composer who has performed at music festivals the world over and has worked with leading international artists, has a Grammy submitted album. Dhruv’s versatility extends to other ventures – he was also the founding partner of blueFrog – the iconic venue that kickstarted the indie music revolution in the country.
Wah Wah Music is India’s leading music production house with a stellar line up of clients that include Nike,  Google, ICC, BBC (UK) Samsung, Indian Tourism Board , YAS Island, Saudi Tourism Board and many more. In 2018 Dhruv was invited to re-produce the music for the celebrated musical Aladdin for Disney, adapting it for the Indian stage.The score was produced and re-recorded with the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra in Prague and was a resounding success.

In 2019 Dhruv was commissioned to score the world’s largest 3D mapped installation show called Gandhi Yatra – a 35 min musical on the life of Mahatma Gandhi in Ahmedabad, India. The show was commissioned by the Government of India. His work on the film Blink for British photographer Jimmy Nelson, is the most awarded film of 2019. Dhruv is a featured producer on the film The Beatles in India that’s to be released in Oct 2021. In 2022 Dhruv scored the music for Netflix produced Choona and Dhaakad a blockbuster action feature film. In 2023 Dhruv scored the music for Mumbai Star – an Indo Japanese production that toured over 15 cities in Japan. In 2024 Dhruv released the highly anticipated Voyage 2 to much critical and commercial success .

Alokananda Dasgupta is a composer based in Mumbai, India. She is the daughter of poet and filmmaker Buddhadeb Dasgupta. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honours in English Literature from St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata. She was pursuing her Masters in English Literature at Calcutta University when she decided to follow her lifelong passion for music in Toronto, where she earned a Bachelor of Music with Honours in Theory and Composition from York University, where she has also guest-lectured.

Alokananda gravitated naturally towards music composition for films. Her appreciation for a diverse range of music led her to score National Award-winning Marathi films such as Shala (2011), and Fandry, and she was one of five composers selected for the Mumbai Composers Lab in 2013. Her work on her father’s films includes Anwar Ki Ajeeb Kissa, Tope, and Urojahaj.

Most recently, her Background Score for Khauf (2025) on Amazon Prime Video has been highly critically acclaimed, and has been recognised with the Filmfare OTT Award for Best Background Score, Series (2025), and the IWM Buzz Digital Award for the Best Background Score (2025). In 2022, Alokananda was the BAFTA Breakthrough Artist, India.

In 2016, she was the first Indian female composer to be invited to Berlin to attend Berlinale Talents under the Music Composer & Sound Studio category and went on to compose the music and songs for the feature film Trapped (2016). She later scored the Netflix Original Series Sacred Games (Seasons 1 & 2) in 2018 and 2019, winning the 2020 Filmfare OTT Award for Best Background Score (Series) for Sacred Games 2, which was also nominated for an International Emmy for Best Drama Series.

Her subsequent work spans across acclaimed projects including Puratawn(2025), The Jengaburu Curse (2023), Jubilee (2023), Three of Us (2022), Shiv Shastri Balboa (2022), Ajeeb Daastaans (2021), AK vs AK (2020) and Breathe: Into The Shadows (2020). She won her second Filmfare OTT Award for Best Background Score (Series) in 2024 for Jubilee.

Karan is a 3x GRAMMY nominated Indian Producer, Songwriter, Engineer and Artist based in Los Angeles. As a Producer, Engineer and Guitarist, Karan has worked with GRAMMY, EMMY & Oscar winning artists such as Lady Gaga, Sam Smith, John Mayer, Will Smith, Cher, Tame Impala, Willow Smith, Jungle, Bazzi, Damon Albarn, Arijit Singh, John Legend, Shreya Ghoshal, RajaKumari, KSHMR, Wiz Khalifa amongst others.

Prior to his move to the U.S., he produced and toured with his alternative folk rock band- Jaagar. They were nominated amongst the top 5 folk fusion artists in India by the Radio City Freedom Awards upon the release of their self-titled album in 2016, that drew extensive coverage from Rolling Stone magazine, Times of India, Hindustan times & several international music journals.

Karan then went on to attend Berklee College of Music, where he was the recipient of the Composition and Songwriting scholarship. He was also the guitarist of the Berklee Indian Ensemble, who’s album ‘Shuruaat’ was nominated for Best Global Music album at the 2023 GRAMMY awards. His compositions have also been featured in short and ad films, including a notable ad film for the Government of India.

Picked up playing the guitar in high school. He played with his first band ‘Pegasus’ doing mainly covers of bands like the Allman Brothers, Heart & Wishbone Ash. Ehsaan joined the band Crosswinds in 1982 playing alongside fellow guitarist Sanjay Divecha. He attended the ‘Musicians Institute’ then known as the ‘Guitar Institute of Technology’ in Hollywood California from 1985 to 1986 learning from players like Danny Gilbert, Robben Ford, Steve Trovato and Keith Wyatt.

In 1986 Ehsaan came back to India and almost immediately began playing sessions mainly for TV commercials and film scores. At the same time he started playing in a band called “Mickeys New Home“ along with Ranjit Barot & Sanjay Divecha. He soon began composing music independently for commercials in 1989 and it is during this period that Ehsaan met up with Shankar and Loy Ehsaan collaborated with his close friends Loy Mendonsa & Shankar Mahadevan and in 1996 Shankar Ehsaan Loy was formed. Together the trio have composed music for several films – Dus, Dil Chahta Hai, Kal Ho Na Ho, Rock On, Bunty aur Bubli, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna, My Name is Khan, Taare Zameen Par, Bhag Milkha Bhag, 2 States, Mirzya, Dil Dhadak Ne Do, Soorma, Raazi, Chappaak and the hugely popular Amazon web series ‘Bandish Bandits’.

They have had over 75 Number 1 songs spanning across their career. They have gone on to win the National Award for Excellence in Music for the soundtrack of Kal Ho Na Ho, amongst other awards won for Screen, Filmfare & IIFA awards for the music of Dil Chahta Hai, Kal Ho Na Ho, Bunty Aur Babli, My Name is Khan, Bhag Milkha Bhag, Mirzya, Rock On & Taare Zameen Par, Toofaan.

Amongst their body of work SEL have also composed the song for the closing of the Commonwealth Games, ICC Cricket World Cup sing in 2011 in addition to performing at both ceremonies. They have also composed several TV serial title tracks – Kya Hum Paachvi Pass Se Tez Hai?, Rang Badalti Odhni & Aaramb. He was also a Judge for the reality show ‘The Stage’ spanning across all 3 seasons on Colours Infinity. Ehsaan is busy working on several sound tracks for their upcoming films – Yudhra, Sam Bahadur, Archies, a film for Rajshri Productions etc.

Ramera is a London-based vocal producer, songwriter, and recording engineer. Starting as a classically trained pianist, drummer, and vocalist from a young age, she began her engineering and production career studying at Abbey Road Institute, graduating in 2018.

She then worked as the resident engineer at Spotify’s Noteable studio in Chiswick, with mentorship from Berklee College of Music. It was there that Ramera dealt with daily studio operations while delving into the world of vocal production and engineering, often having to take on these roles with artists at the studio. After her residency, Ramera became a runner, then an assistant engineer at Metropolis Studios, developing her technical and engineering knowledge.

After her time as an assistant, Ramera progressed into freelance engineering and vocal production, working with both indie and signed artists. Ramera was included in SheSaid.So’s Alternative Power 100 List 2021, won the Music Producers Guild’s Vocal Producer of the Year Award 2023, and was one of three short-listed nominees for the MPG’s Recording Engineer of the Year 2024.

She was also featured in Sound On Sound’s September 2023 and 2024 issues as a changemaker in the music industry. Her most recent work includes vocal producing and engineering on “Hot” by Le Sserafim and JADE, “Big Girl Boots” by Chanel Yates, songwriting and vocal arrangement work on KAMILLE’s singles, “Headline” and “Freak”, and engineering Victoria Monét for her feature on Davido’s track, “Offa Me”.

Tanuj Tiku is one of India’s most distinguished film composers. His work spans feature films, hundreds of commercials, and an international career in production music that reaches audiences across the world.

Tanuj Tiku composes music that blends cinematic ambition with orchestral craftsmanship. For the film Laal Singh Chaddha (2022), an adaptation of Forrest Gump starring Aamir Khan, he created an original score built on live orchestral recording and strong thematic development. The score supported one of Hindi cinema’s most emotionally layered stories.

He later composed the original score for Tiger 3, produced by Yash Raj Films. More recently, he scored two major productions: Dhadak 2 from Dharma Productions and Ikkis directed by Sriram Raghavan. The score for Ikkis, a biographical war drama about India’s youngest Param Vir Chakra awardee, demanded restraint, emotional precision, and narrative sensitivity.

Tiku frequently collaborates with leading orchestras including the Budapest Scoring Orchestra and the Vienna Synchron Orchestra, bringing international orchestral production standards to Indian cinema.

His production music has appeared in global campaigns for films such as The BFG, Blade Runner 2049, and Passengers. His work has also featured in television productions including Wallander, Saturday Night Live, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and Big Brother Australia, as well as the Tom Clancy’s franchise.

In 2016, Tiku won the National Film Award for Best Music Direction for his score for the short film Leeches. The same year, he received the Best Production Music UK award for his track Cascade of Emotions.

Shazneen Arethna brings a personal touch of style, drama and energy to ever performance. Apart from performing all over India and internationally, she is an accomplished Studio artist, she has sung for many a Bollywood scores, Netflix, Disney series and advertising jingles.

She is the voice behind “I hate you, like I love you“ from the movie Delhi Belly. She was a part of the chorus ensemble for movies like Rock Aur Rani, Bhramastra, kabhi khushi kabhi gham, student of the year, etc

Shazneen toured Canada, USA and UK with the Bachchan’s “Unforgettable Tour”, performing on stage with Mr.Amitabh Bachchan, and Vishal- Shekhar. She has performed at the IIFA’s in Toronto with Shankar Ehsaan and Loy. She has been to Dubai and Jakarta for performances with Instant Karma, Merlin and the All Stars and pop-act Caliche.

She released her first EP as a singer-songwrite Dance Alone in 2018. On TV and Radio, you can hear Shazneen’s voice in various jingles and Voice overs. Having sung over 500 jingles – Lee Skinny, Yamaha, Taj Group Of Hotels, Toyota, Honda-WRV, Kia, Hellmans, Nutri Glow, BSA cycles to mention a few.

Shazneen is also a Voice and performance coach in Western, Modern and Contemporary Music sharing years of experience of being on stage and in studios, with students ranging from toddlers to adults.

Dibyajyoti had been passionate towards music since childhood and took to learn tabla at the age of 6. His knack and adaptability towards other rhythmic instruments imbibed his craving to play Drums and which later shifted to Bass Guitar as he loved melody as well, and wanted to blend both rhythm and melody together and Bass Guitar perfectly fit the bill.

After completing his graduation in commerce from Guwahati commerce College, (Assam) he left for Mumbai in the year 2003 as he always dreamt about his aspirations to set foot in Mumbai, it being the cultural hub of India. He did a diploma in Sound Engineering from Digital Academy, Mumbai and finally  shifted his base to Mumbai. He started working as an asst.faculty of Sound in Digital Academy with ace sound engineer Daman Sood, after completing his study in sound engineering. He even worked in many studios as sound recordist before taking up Bass playing as his profession.

He was simultaneously learning the various technicalities of the Bass Guitar from the ace Bass-player of India Karl Peters as he was greatly influenced by his playing. Started playing for Music director Pritam, Raghav Sachar, Javed Ali, Leslie Lewis to name a few during the first few years as a bass-player and gradually started playing for Salim Sulaiman, Mohit Chauhan, Hariharan, Adnan Sami and finally with Shankar Ehsaan Loy and Farhan Akhtar. Presently playing in different sessions for different music directors. He was also a part of an Indo-western fusion band called ‘Conversation’ where he experimented with the styles he always dreamt of such as funk, blues and jazz.

He was also a part of the house band as a Bass-player in Mtv Coke Studio India season1 in the year 2011, where almost all the profound singers like SHANKAR MADEVAN, SHAAN, KK, SOUNIDHI CHAUHAN, HARIHARAN, SHAFQAT AMANAT ALI, WADALI BROTHERS, KAILASH KHER etc. had performed. LESLIE LEWIS one of the most veteran musician was the arranger of the show.

Played some sessions in movies like Rock On 2, D Company, Jaazba etc. and lots of albums for different artists including Arijit Singh and Mohit Chauhan.

Sanjay Divecha is of the most revered guitar players in India. A unique and compelling voice as a player and composer, he is part of the hugely successful supergroup CROSS CURRENTS led by Zakir Hussain and featuring stalwarts such as Dave Holland, Vinnie Colaiuta, Chris Potter, Eddie Daniels, Shankar Mahadevan and Louiz Banks.

Through a luminous 35 year long career, Sanjay has worked with artists such as Angelique Kidjo, Carlos Santana, Michael McDonald, Fred Raulston, Dave Weckl, Louis Johnson, Dumazz and Sambaguru among others.

He also collaborated with A.R. Rahman on the Danny Boyle movie “127 Hours” that won ‘Best Original Score’, the OST for the movie “Woman on Top” with Argentinean composer Luis Bacalov, Sanjay also usescored for the movie ‘Leela’ by Somnath Sen which won a Special Jury Award at Toronto Reel World Film Festival.

An alumnus (1989) from Musician’s Institute (M.I) in Los Angeles, Sanjay continues to mentor and develop musicians all over the country. His students are not only guitar players, but musicians and singers of all disciplines.

Sanjay teaches private lessons and holds workshops to develop musicality and a well rounded aesthetic sensibility in musicians.

Hashbass is a Delhi-born music producer and bassist whose work moves across styles but is always diluted in emotion. He started his musical journey in a middle-class household, where his father’s love for old Hindi songs and his mother’s taste for ’70s and ’80s pop – George Michael, Boney M, ABBA, Stevie Wonder – shaped his early influences. Keyboard lessons led to school choirs and competitions, but it was during his teens – when he discovered Linkin Park, rap, and heavy metal – that his taste shifted and he picked up the bass guitar.

Later, a move to Los Angeles to study music became a turning point. He graduated from the Musicians Institute with a degree in Bass Performance, and in 2014, became the first Indian to receive the Outstanding Student Award from the Bass Department. A defining moment came when he heard Fleetwood Mac’s “You Can Go Your Own Way” and Snoop Dogg’s “Gin and Juice” in a cab – it felt like a sign that he was right where he was supposed to be.

Hashbass’s career highlights include arranging and performing for Coke Studio Bharat Season 1, and returning as a composer and producer for Season 2. He also became the first Indian bassist to perform at Lollapalooza India. His projects include House of Hashbass Vol. 2, Dreams by Riar Saab, Chirmathi, Holi Re Rasiya, Apna Bana Le, I Wanna See You Dance, Tu Meri Hai, and other collaborations with Sachin-Jigar.

He has worked with a long list of Indian and international artists. Early collaborations include American Idol winner Candice Glover and Grammy-nominated Wayne Brady. In India, he’s worked with Sachin-Jigar, Ankur Tewari, MC Square, Mohito, Warren Mendonsa (Blackstratblues), Riar Saab, Naezy, MC Altaf, D’Evil, Sammohit, Sid Sriram, Prateek Kuhad, Shilpa Rao, Zaeden, Prabh Deep, Benny Dayal, Shubha Mudgal, Hanumankind, Kayan, Rashmeet Kaur, Burrah, Spitfire, Yungsta, Saniya MQ, Raaginder, Pahaad, Pho, AGH, The Siege, Arivu, Kamakshi Khanna, Sanjeeta Bhattacharya, Bollyjazz, DCF_Shapes, tricksingh, and Raga.

Currently, Hashbass has 150,000 monthly listeners on Spotify and 1 million plays on Apple Music. His musical approach is instinctive and emotion-led. He describes himself as a “true chameleon mind” who chases feeling. Looking ahead, he plans to keep creating across styles, collaborate widely, and build a lasting body of work that lives on beyond trends.

Gulraj Singh is a multifaceted music composer, producer, and keyboardist with deep roots in both Hindustani classical music – trained under Smt. Joshi ji and Pt. Pradeep Chitnis ji – and Western classical/jazz music under George Almeida and Manikandan Pillai. A Grade 8 Digital Keyboards graduate from Trinity College London, he has built a diverse body of work across films, albums, and advertising.

He has composed for notable films such as Ungli (“Pakeezah,” “Adarniya Ungli”), Fukrey 2, The Mehta Boys, Paani, Unaad, Kutch Express, Ata Thambaycha Naay, and Aarpar, earning several prestigious awards including Filmfare, GIMA, Mirchi Music, ZEE Gaurav, MATA Sanman, GIFA, and IRAA.

His music album Ganaraj Adhiraj Sampoorna, released by Universal Music, won him the GIMA Award for Best Upcoming Composer. In advertising, he has composed for top brands like Myntra, Fanta Apple, Google Pay, OYO, Thums Up Charged, and Ashok Leyland.

As a performer and producer, Gulraj has collaborated with many of India’s leading music creators, including A.R. Rahman, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy (with whom he worked for nearly nine years), Ranjit Barot, and Salim-Sulaiman. He was also featured as a keyboardist on Coke Studio @ MTV Season 2 for a track composed by Ehsaan Noorani and Loy Mendonsa.

With a career spanning film scoring, songwriting, production, and live performance, Gulraj Singh continues to bring innovation, musicality, and storytelling to every project he takes on.

A rare breed of singer-songwriter in the world of Indian classical music! Of unusual musical dexterity, she sings in polyrhythm cycles: using both the hands to keep time of different patterns.

Trained and steeped in the Carnatic classical tradition, Chandana brings a unique sensibility to the music she creates and performs. She is a contemporary singer who experiments with genres both as a composer and a singer. Her incredible ability to traverse scales and move between genres as diverse as Carnatic, Hindustani, Sufi and Jazz, exhibits her versatility. She has taken the Carnatic idiom and given it newer expressions in her experiments with different musical styles.

She has an extensive repertoire of devotional music including poetry of different Bhakti saints across the subcontinent such as Andal, Annamacharya, Haridasa sahitya, Vachana Sahitya, Varkari poets, Meerabai, Kabir, Surdas, Jayadeva, Sadashiva Brahmendra and many many more excelling in multi genres such as Devaranama, Abhanga, Bhajan, Viruttam, Shlokam and so on.

Over the years, Chandana has been recognised with numerous prestigious honours for her contributions to music. She received the Aryabhatta Youth Award (1998), the Ghantasala Award (2004), and was celebrated as the Star of Vani (2009). Her artistry and dedication were further acknowledged with the Ananya Yuva Puraskara (2015), followed by dual recognitions in 2019 – the M. S. Subbalakshmi Award from Vishakha Academy of Music and the M. S. Subbalakshmi Award from Ghantasala Music College, Vijayawada. Most recently, she was conferred the Nadajyothi Puraskara (2022), reaffirming her stature as a leading force in Indian classical music.

Vasundhara Vee is a Jazz, Blues and Soul singer, author and vocal rehabilitation coach.

She has performed live for over 20 years across India and abroad, doing her own concerts and collaborating with every noted name in Jazz.

You have heard her on Bandish Bandits, Dhaakad, the blockbuster film Ved, Bambai meri jaan and numerous commercials.

She has rehabilitated hundreds of voices of actors and singers, and recently rehabbed Vir Das’s voice post voice loss for his latest Netflix special.

Her book for independent music debutants went to top 5 on Amazon. She is on various boards of study and mentorship roles to leading music schools.

Forging his own path into the future… With roots in the U.K. club and hip-hop scenes, Richard Spaven brings a fresh approach to the instrument that’s at once modern and traditional. Combining machine-like accuracy with jazzinfluenced improvisational sensibilities, Spaven’s drumming has landed him gigs with varied artists such as UK rapper Loyle Carner, Guru of hip-hop duo Gang Starr, producer Flying Lotus, jazz/hip-hop vocalist José James and Brainfeeder artist Jameszoo.

Spaven’s brilliance is evident beyond his worldclass performance abilities; he’s equally impressive in production and compositional territories. Most recently, the drummer released his solo album ‘Sole Subject’, which once again showcases his multifaceted talent. Also of note is the collaboration with Alfa Mist – the duo going under the name ‘44th Move’.

Spaven’s signature drum sound often sees him combine high-pitched, crisp snares; round, jazzy toms; and small, punchy bass drums. His cymbal choices are a sonic contrast of dry, lower-pitched hi-hats, rides, and crashes. Altogether, the drummer’s tone could be described as a nod to the past while keeping an ear toward the future. Much like his compositions, Spaven’s drumming is elusive and genre-defying. He often avoids conventional downbeats and cadences in favor of sneaky syncopations and the types of sonic glitches you might hear from a deejay. No 16th note is left unturned within some of his drum ’n’ bass–and dubstep–influenced explorations.

Percy Lima is an award-winning mixing engineer with over 15 years of experience across advertising and film post-production. Well known for his calm presence and dependable work ethic, Percy has become a trusted figure in the industry, consistently going above and beyond to deliver mixes that bring every project to life.

Specialising in the world of advertising and commercial post-production, Percy has earned the respect of clients and collaborators alike for his precise, patient and creative approach, especially towards sound design. His dedication to his craft was recognised with the prestigious IRAA Award for Best Mixing Engineer – Advertisement in 2023.

Genuinely one of the nicest people you’ll meet in a studio, Percy’s quiet demeanour belies a sharp focus and an instinctive understanding of what’s needed to elevate a project.

At Abbey Road Institute Mumbai, Percy brings his wealth of industry experience to students through a dedicated workshop on Sound Design for TVCs (Television Commercials). His session will give our students invaluable insight into the creative and technical demands of commercial audio production, from jingles to soundscaping and the final mix, all guided by Percy’s trademark patience and passion for sharing his knowledge.

Vishala is a highly trained classical vocalist and educator, as well as an extremely passionate advocate for the transformative power of music. As co-founder of The Sound Space, she is dedicated to making music education accessible and impactful, especially for underserved communities.

Trained under legendary gurus like Pandit Dinkar Kaikini and Pandit Dhruba Ghosh, Vishala holds a Visharad degree in Indian classical music from Lucknow University and a degree in Psychology a combination that shapes her unique, holistic teaching approach.

Her innovative work includes TSS on Wheels, a mobile music classroom that brings structured lessons to children in remote areas, and collaborations with global organisations like the Playing For Change Foundation to bridge communities through music. Through her teaching, Vishala encourages every student to see music not only as a craft but as a powerful catalyst for positive change.

At Abbey Road Institute Mumbai, Vishala, together with her sister Kamakshi, will bring the rich traditions of Indian music into our predominantly Western curriculum. With deep expertise in Indian music theory and close ties to leading Indian instrumentalists, she will curate hands-on workshops and recording projects that will immerse our students in local styles.

Kamakshi is an accomplished musician, educator, and co-founder of The Sound Space. Known for her ability to blend deep classical training with fresh, engaging teaching methods, Kamakshi is dedicated to making Indian music accessible and relevant for today’s generation.

Trained under renowned gurus like Pandit Dinkar Kaikini and Pandit Dhruba Ghosh, Kamakshi holds a Visharad degree in Indian classical music and a degree in Psychology a combination that shapes her unique, holistic approach to music education.

She has developed innovative music modules for schools, healthcare, and corporates, and nurtures young talent through partnerships with leading institutions. As a performer, Kamakshi is celebrated for her dynamic showcases and collaborations with international artists, with highlights including performances for the President of India and at global festivals.

At Abbey Road Institute Mumbai, Kamakshi, together with her sister Vishala, will bring the rich traditions of Indian music into our predominantly Western curriculum. With deep expertise in Indian music theory and close ties to leading Indian instrumentalists, she will curate hands-on workshops and recording projects that will immerse our students in local styles.