Sejal Kukadia is originally from Latham, NY, and is a disciple of Pandit Divyang Vakil. There are very few female professional tabla artists in the world; Sejal is one of the only female tabla artists in the USA. In addition to performing and teaching at the Taalim School of Indian Music, Sejal is the author of Tabla Taalim: A Study in North Indian Percussion. This is a 140-page work which covers all facets of tabla, from the ancestral lineage of gharanas to the analysis of the rules of composition. Sejal is a member of the dynamic New York City-based all-women Middle Eastern fusion band, Divahn, with which she has travelled throughout the country and world.
Michael Lukshis is originally from East Brunswick, NJ. He holds a B.A. in Music from Rutgers University, and is a dedicated disciple of Pandit Divyang Vakil. In addition to his tabla performances as a soloist and accompanist in the US and India, Michael has performed with several New Jersey-based bands, such as Natural Breakdown and Amber Blues. He has also performed with Glen Burtnik and Friends at the State Theater in New Brunswick, NJ and Symphony Space in New York, NY. Furthermore, Michael is an accomplished guitar player and is the guitar instructor at the Taalim School of Indian Music.
Acclaimed kathak dancer/teacher Jin Won is a native of Seoul, Korea, and for the past 15 years, a resident of India. She is a graceful performer whose dance recitals incorporate both traditional and contemporary forms of kathak. With her dual training in classical dance and tabla, her understanding of rhythm adds depth to her dance performance. Her chakars (spins) enthrall audiences and her padhant (oral recitation) leaves people in awe of the ease with which she recites such complex and foreign words. Working with leading choreographers, including Shrimati Kumudini Lakhia, Shrimati Saswati Sen, Maulik Shah and Ishira Parikh, Jin has performed all over India in festivals such as the Delhi Shrinagar Dance Festival, the Jaipur Udayshankar Festival and the Kolkata Dance Festival. As a soloist, she has performed in major cities of India, Canada, Europe and Korea.
Loren Oppenheimer is originally from Charlottesville, Virginia. He is a committed and sincere disciple of Pandit Divyang Vakil. Loren is a tabla soloist and accompanist for music and kathak dance, and a full time teacher at the Taalim School of Indian Music. Loren has also conducted workshops and given performances in the USA, Canada and India, and has participated in numerous community events which celebrate world music in the US.
Pandit Paresh Naik is based in Mumbai and is the director of Om Shree Nandini Ma Vidyapith, a music gurukul near Bharuch on the banks of the Narmada River. He obtained his Sangeet Visharad during his school days, while training under Late Smt. Lilatai Khandekar. He furthered his skills under Pandit Jasraj, whom he studied with for over 15 years. Panditji is known for his teaching excellence and provides instruction in classical and semi-classical Hindustani vocal music