Aakash Sridhar

Aakash Sridhar, a graduate from the University of NorthTexas with a Masters’ degree in Jazz Piano Performance is currently an activeeducator, bandleader and sideman in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Originally from Bangalore, India, Aakash started playing the tabla at the age of six, and ever since, music hasalways been a part of his life.

Prior to his time in UNT, he pursueda Bachelor’s degree in Contemporary Writing and Production at Berklee Collegeof Music, Boston.

While at Berklee, he was awarded theBerklee Achievement Scholarship (BAS) for his musical achievements and grew areliable network of next generation jazz players with whom he released hisfirst single Road to Oman. He alsocollaborated with the Berklee IndianEnsemble and participated in the recording of a project that was recentlynominated for a Grammy award for Best Global Music Album in 2022.

As aneducator, he has held a professorship at the prestigious Swarnabhoomi Academyof Music in Chennai, and has been involved with students in various settings,including theory lessons, private lessons and ensemble coaching.

His visionis to provide a safe and comfortable environment where sharing of ideas andquestions are most encouraged. Due to his diverse cultural and musicalbackground, he understands and believes that everyone has a unique path andlearning styles, and that we tend to learn better when we are able to beourselves and are proactively participating in the lesson. Therefore, in hislessons, he focuses on establishing a healthy rapport with his students.

He recognizesthat his students may have their own goals and desires, be it in mastering apiece, improvisation or sight-reading, and helps his students by breaking upthe steps involved in achieving this goal.

Inaddition, he also concentrates on students’ weaknesses and strives to maketheir strengths even stronger. Overall he makes a conscious effort to helpstudents grow so that they can ultimately find their own voice and a sense ofjoy while playing the piano.  

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