Samyukta is an awarding-winning singer of classical South Indian (Carnatic) music. She began her training at age 8 and had begun singing in the South Indian music circuit by age 13. Just a few years later she was invited to perform solo concerts at several historic venues across the region. Since then, her experience as a classical Indian singer has been bolstered by an active performance career that included several cities in South Africa and the United States. She received The Brinda Repertory Centenary award in 2015 for her work in Carnatic Music. She learns Hindustani music from Pandit Sanjoy Banerjee of the Kirana Gharana.

Samyukta holds an MA in Voice Pedagogy at the Voice Study Centre and the University of Wales Trinity St David and currently a doctoral research at the Institute of Education at University College London focusing her research on the singing voice for Indian Classical singers.. Her research includes laryngeal registration for ICM singers, the mechanics of ICM vocal ornamentation and how to teach it, and incorporating compassion into ICM classroom settings with a goal to bridge the gap between scientific vocal technique and the oral tradition of ICM. Previously, she studied at New York Vocal Coaching to learn how to incorporate vocal technique into her own style of singing and to begin a career as a vocal teacher of Carnatic Music. She is excited to share what she has learned with students, in India, the United States, and thanks to modern technology, all across the world. Crucial advancements in technique, she believes, can be effectively adapted and brought into the realm of Indian classical music and will bring singers increased longevity, stamina, quality, and vocal awareness.

Published Research:

Decolonising Voice Research: The Inclusion of Indian Classical Music - Australian Voice 2023, Volume 24 - https://doi.org/10.56307/JTKV7475

Exploring the Relationship Between Voice Disorders in Indian Classical Music and the Guru-Shishya Parampara Through an Understanding of the Autonomic Nervous System Voice and Speech Review 2024 - www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23268263.2024.2374698

PERFORMANCE CAREER:

While she was a graduate student at Columbia University, Samyukta had the chance to collaborate with and learn from some of the amazing talents New York City has to offer. She has found herself thriving in this nexus of different musical styles, ranging from classical South Indian to out-and-out rock. Staying true to her roots, she spends the Carnatic music season performing back in India.

Samyukta collaborated with the best musicians from around the world on her solo album “The Wandering Poet”. The project takes traditional Indian music pieces to arrangements in several genres including Latin, jazz, electronica, hip-hop and pop.

She continues to enjoy an active performance career in New York City.

LIFE OUTSIDE THE STUDIO:

When Samyukta is not singing, teaching or researching, you can find her in an aerial arts studio, rock climbing gym or on a long walk with her husband, Brad, and dog, Pippin.