Upcoming Artists - Vocalists & Instrumentalists

Musical Instruments

Careers in Music

Rising Stars of the Music Industry

Upcoming Artists - Vocalists & Instrumentalists, India & International

The music Industry is a flourishing & growing Industry that boasts of extremely talented artists and other professionals who spread across all genres of Music. This section on 'Rising Stars' aims at acknowledging and appreciating those upcoming artists - Musicians & Vocalists - Singers, performers and bands, who are making their mark very early in their careers. We appreciate & salute these young artists.

This section also includes some very accomplished artists who began their professiona journey very early in their careers and today, they have reached great heights in their professional music career. Let us draw inspiration from each one of them and make efforts to discover the hidden talent within each one of us.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rising Star #1 - Purbayan Chatterjee - Sitar Player, India

Among the rising stars, the name that is making waves in the arena of Indian Classical Music is Purbayan Chatterjee.

An immensely talented Sitar player, Purbayan Chatterjee has had successful concerts in Dhaka, UK, Germany, Italy, USA, New Zealand, Canada, & France etc.
We wish this talented Sitar player all success and best wishes. 

Rising Star #2 - Caroline K. Goulding - Violin Player

Caroline K. Goulding is a teenaged violinist who has recently won the 8th Annual Jean L. Petitt Memorial Music Scholarship competition.

Caroline has already been associated with some of the most prestigious and well known orchestras including The Detroit Symphony Orchestra, The Cleveland Orchestra, and The International Symphony Orchestra, among others.

Rising Star #3 - Sounak Chattopadhyay - Vocal Singer - Hindustani Classical & Rabindrasangeet (Songs of Rabindranath Tagore).

Sounak has been performing at many music conferences, festivals and workshops in India and abroad. His performance of Indian Classical Ragas is heart warming.

Rising Star #4 - Nikki Chooi, Violinist, China

Nikki Chooi is a young violinist from China. He was the youngest semi finalist of the China International Violin competition. He has performed at various Orchestras as a guest soloist and has been ranked first in the Greater Victoria Music Festival.

Rising Star #5 -Yew Choong Cheong, Pianist, Malaysia

Yew Choong Cheong is a 28 yr old pianist born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Though hard of hearing, Yew teaches applied piano and will be receiving his PH.D soon from the WVU. In 2002, he was elected as a soloist in WVU's annual Young Artists Auditions (2003). Yew Choong Cheong is also a member of the Association of Adult Musician with Hearing Loss.

Rising Star #6- Brett Dennen, Singer and Songwriter, California

Brett Dennen is an upcoming singer and songwriter from California who has gained a lot of fan following for his soulful music and lyrics.

Rising Star #7- Yayoi Negishi, Pianist, Tokyo

Yayoi Negishi is a 22 year old young pianist who has been studying piano for six and a half years from the University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna.

Though Negishi suffered from an eye disease that severely affected her eyesight, she continued to pursue her education and carried on studying. Yayoi feels that despite her weak vision, she is able to hear sounds more deeply. Yayoi Negishi has won various piano competitions and performed at events.

Rising Star #8- Pushkar Lele, Hindustani Classical Vocalist, India

Pushkar Lele has emerged as an International Artiste through his devotion towards Indian Classical Music. His range in Indian Classical Vocal music includes khayal, thumri, dadra, tappa, tarana, hori, natyageet, bhavageet, bhajans and abhangas. Besides India, Pushkar will be performing Internationally as well.

To know more about Pushkar, visit: http://www.pushkarlele.com/

Rising Star #9- Ankita Dash, Hindustani Vocal & Sufiana Kalam Singer, India

Ankita Dash is a 17 year old singing sensation from Dwarka, New Delhi. Singing from the age of 4, Ankita is an active part of her school band and specializes in Hindustani vocal though, her interest lies in all genres of music - Indian classical to Western.  Ankita has recently given her solo performance at Triveni Kala Sangam's classical music concert.

Rising Star #10- Nabeel aka DnaaR, Punjabi Rapper & Hip Hop Artist, Saudi Arab

Nabeel aka DnaaR is an 18 year old Punjabi rapper and young hip hop artist. He is working on a completely new genre of music called DESI HIPHOP. Originally from Pakistan, he was 3 years old when he migrated to Saudi Arab with his family. Now, DnaaR is making music here due to his love for it. DnaaR is planning to release his music album in 2008. Lets see how far this artist will go in the near future. For More information visit www.myspace.com/dnaar "

Rising Star #11- Kumar Mukherjee, Classical Singer, Calcutta) Kolkata India

Kumar Mukherjee began his initial training in music by learning the tabla and thereafter, trained in vocal music. Kumar imbibed the traits of Kasur- Patiala Gharana. He has won accolades for performing in music conferences along with his guru and for his solo concerts. Saregama (Gramophone Company of India) has released his only album titled RISING STAR. He has a full throated voice, with a range spanning three actaves and can modulate his voice according to the genre he is presenting.

Rising Star #12 - Utsav Lal, Indian Prodigy Pianist

Utsav Lal, Indian Prodigy Pianist, at 15 yrs of age has acquired International acclaim for his original rendition of mesmerising Indian Ragas on the Piano. Having performed over 50 solo concerts in India and abroad, the young musician delights with his unique piano playing style and exceptional musical prowess. www.utsavlal.com

Rising Star #13 - Subhra Guha, North Indian Classical Vocalist

Subhra Guha performs and teaches North Indian classical vocal music. She was previously a guru at the prestigious Sangeet Research Academy, Kolkata and has performed in all Indian major music festivals. She was also invited to perform at U.S. universities and institutes, including MIT, the Ali Akbar College of Music, the World Music Institute, the Smithsonian Institute and others.

To learn more about Subhra and listen to a sample track of her music, please visit www.subhraguha.net

Rising Star #14 - Mala Bararia, Trained Gazal Singer, India

Rising Star #15 - Barzin Cyrus Contractor, Classical Keyboard Artist

Barzin Cyrus Contractor is a budding Key Board Artist, just 10 years of age. He has already passed 4 years of classical musical (INSTRUMENTAL- CASIO) training from the BRUHAD GUJARAT SANGEET SAMITI and is currently in his 5th year. He is undergoing this training through a reputed Government Recognized class at Vadodara, OM KEDAR. In all three years of his classical musical training for Instrument (CASIO) he has scored Distinction marks and for Vocal he has always achieved 1st Class.

Rising Star # 16 - Bhaskar Mukherjee, Indian Pakhawaj Artist, Kolkata

Rising Star # 17 - Lori Ann Cunningham, Singer - No Escape, Utah County, Utah
United States

Lori Ann Cunningham is a musician and classically trained singer and makes up the NO Escape. Those who have heard her sing cannot get over her great voice with a beautiful tone and the rising talent in her.

For more information about Lori, visit:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=139809973

Rising Star # 18 - Benzy, Singer, India

Benzy is a 14 year old special child with a great musical talent. At such a young age, she is very close to becoming an MA in music. Benzy has already launched two music albums and is listed in the Limca Book of World Records as a Special Child to have launched a music album.

Rising Star # 19 - Dr. Varsha Agrawal, Santoor Player - Ujjain (M.P.) India

Dr. Varsha Agrawal is a dedicated Santoor player who displays remarkable genius. It is really a great pleasure listening to her performance. Her audience is always spellbound when she reaches the zenith of expression during her performance. Santoor is a rare musical instrument of Kashmir and to find a female artist playing it is a rare sight.

Rising Star #20 : Anirban Bhattacharyya - Classical Vocalist, Kolkata

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------