Los Angeles International Music And Arts Academy - LAIMA Academy

Rated 5.0  I started learning Sitar at LAIMA during the pandemic. I have studied Carnatic music as a child and had been largely disconnected from sadhana. Discovering music again needed more than a little encouragement and I received it aplenty from my teacher, Rajib Karmakar. He explained music theory and not just the introduction to an unfamiliar North Indian stringed instrument. Although the different branches of Indian classical music from the north and south have the same foundation, they take on different flavors. He was able to gently guide me to develop an ear to first understand the differences as well as the commonalities. We have weekly sessions online and he encourages his students to record and send him snippets of their practice so course correction can happen early. This is very helpful as bad habits and faulty finger work can be detected earlier on before it becomes entrenched practice. Another member of my family is also enrolled with LAIMA and our home is filled with music all the time. Rajib Ji is insistent (and absolutely correct)that daily practice is the key. And he is an experienced musician with various instruments and forms of music that his keen ear can figure out when I have missed out on my daily practice. Music is a way of life and can permeate our homes, physical selves and our souls. To undertake this lifelong journey, we need guides who have walked this path and for that, I am grateful for Rajib Ji and LAIMACADEMY.

Rated 5.0  We have been with LAIMA much before its actual inception and really learnt a lot from all the faculty members. The yearly performances gives music students a great opportunity to share the stage and learn from great musicians across the globe. The yearly retreat is definitely a "must do" .... Immersive and extended learning retreat!!

Rated 5.0  I have been taking sitar classes for almost a year with Rajib and have been thoroughly enjoying them. He is an amazing sitar player and a wonderful teacher who inspires and encourages his students to be the best they can be. I highly recommend Rajib and LAIMA to anyone interested in Classical Indian Music.

Rated 5.0  LAIMA is a unique resource in Los Angeles, and a wonderful opportunity for people of all ages to learn Indian classical music. I am continually impressed by Rajib Karmakar’s ability to run the academy, teach a full course load, and manage to spend time with his young family. I have been studying sitar with him for slightly over eight months, and I have been amazed at how he his pedagogical approach to the instrument has taken me from knowing nothing to being able to play the basics of a raga. I have a background in Western music, including the bass guitar and classical music training, both of which undoubtedly help, but Rajib’s patient yet disciplined approach has challenged me to progress more quickly than I thought possible. I look forward to continuing my studies, not only to improve my sitar work but to delve deeper into the rich Hindustani classical music tradition.

Rated 5.0  Rajib is the most fantastic teacher! LAIMA has become a second home for me. The community is fantastic and the knowledge of music extremely deep. Thank you, Rajib!