About Us
Dhwani Academy
Dhwani Academy of Percussion: Preserving India’s Musical Legacy
At Dhwani Academy, we’re more than just a music school – we’re passionate custodians of India’s rich percussion heritage. Our mission is to preserve, explore, and share the vibrant rhythms of Indian classical and folk music with the world.
Empowering Musical Talent
Our students don’t just learn music; they become cultural ambassadors. Take Kabir Jhita, who won first prize at a multicultural event organized by TARGET, or Karan and Ajay, who are now pursuing Tabla studies at the university level. Each student’s journey exemplifies our commitment to musical excellence.
Uniting Communities Through Music
Dhwani Academy serves as a cultural bridge, connecting diverse communities through the universal language of music. We’ve collaborated with esteemed institutions like Whittier College, La Jolla Country Day School, and the Phoenix Musical Instrument Museum. Our outreach programs and performances at iconic events – including the World Drum Festival and Ektaa Fest – demonstrate music’s boundary-breaking potential, resonating directly with the heart.
Leadership and Vision
Under Principal Abhijit Banerjee’s guidance, we continue to innovate and push boundaries. From donating a Tabla to the Phoenix Musical Instrument Museum to hosting workshops with professional artists from India and the US, we’re dedicated to keeping traditional music alive and thriving.
Join us at Dhwani Academy, where every beat tells a story, and every student becomes a guardian of musical heritage.
Dhwani Academy of Percussion Music was founded in Southern California, with the aim of research & promotion of traditional music of India with special emphasis on Indian classical & folk percussion music.
Vision & Teaching Philosophy
To be a global beacon for Indian percussion music, preserving its legacy, nurturing innovation, and celebrating its diversity to bridge cultural divides and inspire future generations of musicians.
Mission
Dhwani Academy of Percussion Music is dedicated to:
- Preserving and revitalizing the rich heritage of Indian traditional percussion music.
- Delivering world-class education in Indian percussion instruments, cultivating both technical excellence and artistic depth.
- Creating meaningful platforms for cross-cultural musical exchange and collaborative learning that advances the art form through ground-breaking performances, scholarly research, and comprehensive documentation.
- Developing a global, interconnected community of percussion enthusiasts, learners, and experts to ensure the continued vibrancy of this ancient art form.
- Unwavering commitment to excellence in teaching, performance, and community engagement, we aim to keep the profound rhythms of Indian percussion resonating across generations and cultural boundaries.
Dhwani History
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION & OUTREACH
Since its inception the academy has taught numerous students & doing promotional activities by exposing the students to their old tradition, some of whom are already performing in local communities & international events of the academy. The students of our Academy like Kabir Jhita won the first prize and represented the academy in a multicultural event, organized by TARGET. Our student Karan and Ajay is taking Tabla as one of their subjects in the university.
Dhwani Academy of Percussion Music was founded in Southern California, with the aim of research & promotion of traditional music of India with special emphasis on Indian classical & folk percussion music. Since its inception the academy has taught numerous students & doing promotional activities by exposing the students to their old tradition. Our Students are taking it forward quite successfully and are performing in local communities & international events.
OUTREACH
The academy has organized many Outreach Programs with Whittier College, La Jolla Country Day School, TCNJ, Corona Norco Parent Center and other noted organizations of the country
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATIONS:
Dhwani also participated in numerous Community Events with Musical Institute Museum, Phoenix Library, World Drum Festival, Earth Day, Pasadena Music Conservatory, Canyon View School, Ektaa Fest, Music Circle, to name a few.
Donation to MIM:
The principal of the Academy Abhijit Banerjee has donated Tabla sets as a gift to the Musical Instrument Museum ,PHOENIX, Arizona.
Annual Concert
Annual Concert hosted by Dhwani, is a premier performance platform, dedicated to showcasing the talents of students as well as up-and-coming artists to highlight their skill and to captivate audiences. Since last two years, along with Annual Concert, Dhwani Academy has been arranging Gurupurnima to pay gratitude to Guru.
Cultural Programs in Collaborations:
Collaboration with COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, New York:
The Academy collaborated with COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY , NY in their Sacred Music program and presented concert with Sangeet Natak Academy Awardee Vidushi Kala Ramnath and promoted some local artistes from New York along with Dhwani Academy’s own talented students’ ensemble.
COLLABORATION WITH BHARATIYA VIDYA BHAVAN:
Dhwani collaborated BHARATIYA VIDYA BHABAN of NEW YORK for their online performance series during Covid.
Cultural programs: In association with Ektaa Center, Dhwani presented an enchanting music concert with Pt. Abhijit Banerjee, Bhajan Samrat Anup Jalota and Pt. Tarun Bhattacharya in 2023
RAAGA AND RHYTHM:
Hosts every year Raaga & Rhythm, the Grand Concert, featuring artists like Grammy Winner Viswa Mohan Bhatt, Pt. Swapan Choudhury, Ustad Nishad Khan, Pt. Tarun Bhattacharya, Pt. Ronu Majumdar, Pt. Kushal Das and so many, along with its students’ ensemble and crossed community barriers by collaborating with artists from other genres of music like Kenny Endo (Taiko), Dewa Barata (Indonesian Drummer).
It has done many school representations in Southern California to build awareness among the teens about Indian culture and traditions with special emphasis on music.
Dhwani’s resident instructor Jyotiprakas was invited to perform in the prestigious EMMY Award.
Evaluation Test – a motivational tool, is done every year to encourage students to reach their full potential by offering personalized guidance.
Social Activities – Dhwani Academy is dedicated to providing support and opportunities to Visually Challenged and Underprivileged music aspirants. Through its special initiatives, the Academy aims to impart a social boost to these deserving individuals. Notably, Dhwani Academy has pioneered the publication of INNERSIGHT, the first Braille book designed for Tabla learning, which is distributed free of charge.
PHILANTHROPY
Dhwani Academy is dedicated to providing support and opportunities to Visually Challenged and Underprivileged music aspirants. Through its special initiatives, the Academy aims to impart a social boost to these deserving individuals. Notably, Dhwani Academy has pioneered the publication of INNERSIGHT, the first Braille book designed for Tabla learning, which is distributed free of charge.
ONLINE PRODUCTION: AHIMSA
In the Pandemic situation the Academy continued its regular online classes & produced many Global shows along with Global Tabla competition & musical presentation like AHIMSA on Gandhiji’s birthday with students & musicians from all over the globe.
The Academy has got recognition from National Endowment for the Arts (N.E.A.) and California Arts Council for continuing its cultural activities.