Asha Melvana (Violinist)

A Boston native, Asha began playing violin and viola at age six and attended the New England Conservatory extension division where she studied privately with Boston Symphony Orchestra member Michael Zaretsky. Many years of classical training followed until she ultimately earned a bachelor's degree in music from Wellesley College. Upon graduation, she headed to New York City where she plunged into the world of "alternative" string music and began studying with Julie Lyonn Lieberman. In 2004, Asha moved to Los Angeles to pursue a full-time music career on her electric 7-string Viper violin. She has toured with Dee Snider (Twisted Sister) and Gnarls Barkley, opening for the Red Hot Chili Peppers and performing at the 2007 Grammys. She has played with such artists as Mary J. Blige and Jay-Z, Black Eyed Peas, Roger Daltry (The WHO) and the Trans Siberian Orchestra. Additionally she has appeared on such shows as The Tonight Show with Alanis Morrisette, the Ellen Show with the Jonas Brothers. She performs regularly with American Idol band and can be seen on the Three Doors Down video, Landing in London. In May 2006, Asha joined Porcelain, a rock band originally from Australia that is signed to Universal (US)/Island (Australia). Porcelain recently finished recording their debut album which will be released in Australia in early 2010. Asha has spent summers performing at Aspen, Tanglewood, Mark O'Connor's Fiddle Conference, Jazz String Fling at Berklee College of Music. Before focusing purely on performing, Asha taught violin and piano to children and adults in Boston and New York City. As a breast cancer survivor at age 24, Asha is also active in spreading awareness to young women, and her story has been featured in many national magazines as well as on The Today Show, The Montel Williams Show and Lifetime Television. She has organized numerous benefit concerts to raise money for breast cancer, and if you wish to contact her about a benefit concert, you can email ashamevlana@gmail.com.