Brian has been playing music since the age of 8. He became interested in
Indian classical music through his studies of Eastern religion and
psychology in his university years.
Since 1996, he has been studying Celtic, Western classical, and
Indian Classical Music (both Hindustani and Carnatic styles). The
techniques he has learned from each tradition have blended together to
create his own unique style. While living in Montreal Quebec, he studied
Carnatic Classical violin and vocal music with Smt. Jaya Narahari. He sings compositions in the languages of Sanskrit, Telegu, Tamil, and Kannada.
In 2003, he received a bursary from the Shastri Indo-Canadian
Institute (www.sici.org) to deepen his knowledge of Indian classical
music and lived and studied for a period of ten months in Varanasi, India. Brian studied in the traditional Guru-Shishya Parampara with Pandit Sukhdev Prasad Mishra of Varanasi.
He has been involved in three musical theatre productions.He was Musician/Music Director for the McGill University production of "The Tibetan Book of the Dead" (Score composed by Steve Gorn - Indian Bansuri Artist) in 2002. In the fall of 2005, Brian held the title of Musician/Composer/Arranger in the Waterdown Village Theatre's production of "The Arabian Nights" He composed original music, arranged traditional arabic music, and performed on violin, sitar, tamboura, voice, and
percussion. Most recently, He was music director in Toronto's "Ad Hoc Artists' Group" production of "SPACES AND THE TREE" as part of Toronto's "SUMMERWORKS THEATRE FESTIVAL" Directed by Michael Bradley.
Taught Violin since 1999 to children and adults of all ages and backgrounds, integrating techniques from the various styles to help each student develop their skills.
As a Violinist/Vocalist, Brian performed at numerous festivals and functions hosted by the "Bharatiya Sangeetha Sangham", an
Indian Music Association in Montreal, Quebec from 1999-2003
Since October 2005, Brian has been performing with "DHVANI" an East Indian Kirtan group, performing Chants and devotional music at various centres in Ontario and British Columbia.
RECORDINGS:
CD "FROM DUBLIN TO TEL AVIV" a collection of Celtic and
Jewish Folk Music
By: The Bards Of Perunu:
Montreal, Quebec:
Recorded in 1998.
CD "DHVANI KIRTAN" A collection of Indian devotional chants
Indian Folk Music
By: Dhvani:
Dundas, Ontario:
Recorded in 2006.
Since October of 2006, Brian has been working with two new groups. ABUNDANCE is a Healing world music ensemble, performing Kirtan and Improvisational healing music.
