Best Sitar Lessons & Classes in Washington

From the Business:Learn the art of Tabla from an Indian maestro - the authentic way! Teacher is an internationally acclaimed practitioner of Tabla. Tabla lessons offered in group and individual format, to beginners and experienced learners. For kids age 6+ and adults. Prior knowledge or experience is NOT required. Online lessons offered on zoom, with studio quality audio and video. Recordings a d notes made available for easy learning. Assistance in buying instrument provided. Rahul is on a mission to demystify the fathomless art of Indian Classical Music - Tabla playing in particular, for the interested learner. Over the years, he has developed a style of teaching that appeals to students across generations. He uses innovative methods to simplify concepts of rhythm - including formulas, charts and visuals, unique practice exercises, and strives hard to impart clear understanding to his students. Rahul has conducted workshops and lec-dem sessions for several universities and music schools in India, USA and Europe. He has an ardent following of students across the globe. Group and One-to-one lessons of one-hour duration are conducted on Zoom. With our studio-quality audio gear, multiple cameras, and collaboration tools it works better than in-person lessons! Notes are shared as screenshots or pdf through WhatsApp. When necessary, a short video recording will be shared for reference too. Anybody between age 6 to 60+ can learn. No music background necessary. Contact us for a FREE DEMO so you can experience it firsthand!Read more

From the Business:

Soor Academy, founded by Pallavi Mehta in 1989 in Ghatkopar, Mumbai, started with just three students and has flourished over the last 35 years. From its humble beginnings, the academy has attracted individuals from various walks of life, including passionate young learners, dedicated homemakers, and professionals. We continue to serve as a platform for those wanting to deepen their knowledge and practice of Hindustani classical music.

In addition to our in-person lessons, Soor Academy .has expanded globally by offering online classes. accessible to students worldwide. With these online lessons, we bring the essence of Hindustani classical music directly to your home, ensuring that students from all over the world can benefit from our expert instruction.

We are also proud to collaborate with Sitar Guru, .an online platform dedicated to offering expert guidance and personalized instruction in Sitar playing. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced student, Sitar Guru provides lessons designed to suit all skill levels, helping students master the intricacies of this beautiful instrument.

As part of our educational outreach, .Soor Academy also partners with California State University (East Bay), offering lecture-demonstrations on world music. This collaboration strengthens our mission to educate a broader audience about the rich history and traditions of classical music. Whether you're in the California Bay Area or anywhere across the globe, our lessons in Sitar and Hindustani classical music offer an inspiring and comprehensive learning experience.

From the Business:Success starts with our dedicated finest, handpicked professional tutors. They have a minimum of 10 years of teaching & professional experience. Our students are certified by Trinity College London. we are one of the leading online Music schools to learn our traditional Indian music and Western musical instruments. We conduct 1:1 class at $52 per month. Visit our website for free trial classes and master's performance and help videos. We have been working hard to transform the learning experience into more intuitive and innovative. Create awareness and simplify the experience. Enrich learning by active listening and participation. Bamboo Music school has simplified the online music learning process, by connecting our highly qualified teachers with our students online through 1:1 training sessions. We conduct classes for all ages with flexible scheduling and a personalized & Trinity Music Collage curriculum for each student. The one-on-one teaching strategy helps to identify areas to improve and personalize their lesson plan to meet their goal in the quickest possible ways. We also provide Tamil, Hindi, French, Sanskrit, and advanced Chess classes. Trinity College London is a leading international examinations board. Bamboo Music School follows their curriculum and books to teach their students. The music practical and music theory exams conducted by Trinity college London directly For the Music Exams and Certification process, please contact your tutor.Read more

From the Business:Sitar Maestro Hari Singh Sitar Teacher Traditional classical Sitar music to entertain your guests I play the sitar, an Indian instrument. It has a very melodious sound and fits perfectly for any occasion. Please contact me if you are looking for just one musician to come and play for your event.Read more

From the Business:The Washington Conservatory of Music cordially invites you to a Celebration of North Indian Classical Music featuring: Tabla Maestro Pandit Anindo Chatterjee with Pandit Ramesh Misra, sarangi and Alif Laila, sitar with Anubrata Chatterjee, tabla. Alif Laila, a resident of MD, is from Dhaka, Bangladesh. This spring her performance, “Music For Peace”, was held in UNESCO, Paris. Her DVD, “Hridayaragam” was featured in the Women’s History Month at the Smithsonian in 2008. She has toured and performed worldwide at venues including The Kennedy Center, The Bangladesh National Museum, The Purcell Room, South Bank Center, UK. An accomplished painter, her musical collaborations often venture beyond traditional Indian classical with jazz saxophone, composition for cello & dance and audio visual presentations featuring both her music and water color. Her upcoming album “Ekavali” ‘The Connecting Thread’ with Tanmoy Bose, represents world unity combining sitar with world melodies and percussion.Read more

From the Business:Nistha Raj’s initial training in music began with western classical violin at the age of nine, which she pursued seriously until graduation from college. She received a B.A. in music with honors from the University of Houston in 2003. Although born and raised in the U.S., because of her Indian heritage, she was exposed to the classical music of India from her childhood and had an intense desire to delve deeper into a study of the music. To immerse herself in the music and culture of India, in 2004, Nistha traveled to the small town of Vrindavan in India to study the oldest form of Indian classical music,When you think of Indian classical music, you probably don’t expect to hear beat box, or strains of jazz, and even rock. But that’s exactly what Nistha Raj is all about. The violinist is mixing classical Hindustani music with modern sounds to bring it to a new generation of music lovers. 013-2014 Strathmore Artist in Residence, Nistha Raj has been regarded as “stunningly skilled in western and eastern classical music” by the Washington City Paper. Nistha is emerging as a fresh voice in creative and world music. Her recently self-released debut album, “Exit 1”, funded by the Sparkplug Foundation, has been described as “edgy, innovative, and clearly awe-inspiring…Indian fusion at its best” (Inside World Music). A versatile musician, Nistha pursues new horizons by melding tradition with contemporary innovation - lending her talents to the Jazz trio The Fourth Stream, collaborations with National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) musicians, The Last Stand Quartet, Grammy nominated hip hop artist Christylez Bacon; and recording on rock band NRI’s album.Read more

From the Business:A course is offered at the Gandhi Memorial Center each spring for members of OLLI entitled: "India: Culture, Traditions and Gandhi" The course varies from year to year but many subjects are repeated and new guest artists and scholars join in offering lecture/demonstrations. Samia Mahbub Ahmad and Krishna Ramdas present Hindustani classical vocal music with tabla. They introduce concepts of taal (rhythm), raag (melody), and bhav (emotion). Madhavi Reddi and other guest dancers present classical dance forms such as Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi and Odissi. Shanthi Chandrasekar demonstrates various traditional art forms including Kolam. Dr. Moazzam Siddiqi shares insights into the origin and development of Indian languages. Jeffrey Hallam Bauer, Sudeshna Basu and Fred Dixon present the inspired music of Tagore. With piano and vocal renditions of Rabidrasangeet and both the classical and folk influence.Read more

From the Business:Shubha Sankaran (surbahar) is among a handful of musicians currently performing the surbahar on the concert stage. She studied instrumental music with Ustad Imrat Khan, the world's acknowledged master of the surbahar; vocal music in the khayal style with the late Pandit Shrikant Bakre; the South Indian technique of tanam with Kalaimamani Ranganayaki Rajagopalan; and dhrupad with the Gundecha Brothers. She has performed on surbahar throughout the United States, including at Lincoln Center in New York and the National Museum for Women in the Arts in Washington, and in concert and in radio and television broadcasts in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Europe, Great Britain, Morocco, and Central and South America. Specializing in individual instruction for serious students.Read more

From the Business:I teach sitar in my home $20/hr. I have been playing since 1968. Please contact me for any further details about Sitar Classes.Read more

From the Business:We have seen budding musicians, like 15-year-old Michael Ventura, improve their musicianship to the point where serious study, and jazz in particular, is a regular part of their life. Michael’s mentorship by Herman Burney and Fred Foss helped him be accepted into elite summer music programs at Berklee College of Music for summer 2015 and receive a scholarship. Jazzin’ AfterSchool is led by Herman Burney, Associate Professor of bass and jazz combo director at The George Washington University. Burney is a seasoned jazz bassist and educator who has considerable experience working with young, aspiring jazz musicians. He has performed with many well-known jazz artists, including Nnenna Freelon, Marcus Roberts, Freddy Cole, Wynton Marsalis, and Eric Alexander, to name a few. In partnership with Sitar Arts Center, Jazzin’ AfterSchool provides year-round weekly instrument training and jazz history sessions for Sitar music students. Each semester, students enrolled in the course are joined by upwards of 80 other Sitar music students for a lively masterclass session focusing exclusively on jazz performance, history and appreciation. A core group of students perform in a culminating concert at Sitar Arts Center for their peers, teachers and families and in addition are featured each year in a special performance at the DC Jazz Festival’s Jazz 'N Family Fun Days event. Students 9+ are encouraged to apply. Must have at least one year of experience playing and instrument and have basic music reading skills.Read more

From the Business:Sitar Niketan Musician Igniting the resonance of sitar and Indian music, Sitar Niketan is an oasis of culture and learning. Brought to you by acclaimed performer and teacher Alif Laila, offerings range from private lessons to group classes, concert programs and more. Advanced students of Western classical instruments are also welcome for Indian classical music classes and courses. The Washington DC metro area is quickly becoming a hub for Indian arts. Join the celebrationRead more

From the Business:Dr. Suman Sharma started learning sitar in India at the tender age of ten. She was soon playing in music festivals and winning awards. Dr. Sharma plays sitar effortlessly and enchantingly. Her beautiful renderings of Indian classical ragas create a magical world for her listeners. Her style is unique and yet deeply rooted in traditional Indian classicism. In addition to being an accomplished performer, Dr. Sharma is a renowned sitar teacher in the tri-state area (DC-VA-MD). Several of her students have won accolades at music festivals and competitions. She is also an American Red Cross Water Safety instructor. She lives in Herndon, VA.Read more

From the Business:

With over 12 years of experience in the performing arts and creative community space, our journey is deeply rooted in a lifelong passion for music, dance, and artistic expression.

Richa’s love for performing arts began in childhood, with early training in classical vocal music and Bharatanatyam. Although she pursued academics to become a foreign language expert, working as a Japanese teacher and translator, her connection with the arts never faded. Even with a demanding professional schedule, she remained actively involved by attending concerts and performances whenever possible.

Rajashree’s tryst with the performing arts also started at a young age. She performed in plays and tele-films during childhood, trained in Bharatanatyam, and completed her Arangetram at the age of 12. Later, she chose a career in technology, working as a software professional in an early-stage startup, where she experienced firsthand the challenges and rewards of building a company from the ground up.

Longtime friends and later family members, Richa Rajadhyax and Rajashree Rajadhyax came together to reconnect with their first love — performing arts. This shared vision led to the founding of Meetkalakar, a platform created to support, connect, and celebrate artists.

While roles often blend naturally, Rajashree leads the creation and development of the web portal and applications, and Richa focuses on building and nurturing the artist community through her strong networking skills. Together, they bring creativity, structure, and heart to everything they do — sometimes even over an impromptu cup of tea.