Bijay Shrestha will be the featured performer on sitar. He was born to Tabla Maestro Rabin Lal Shrestha and Sitar player Bina Shrestha. Coming from a musical family, Mr. Bijay lal Shrestha started learning Tabla at the tender age of four under the guidance of his father, and by the time he was 18, he completed his masters degree in Tabla. Currently, he is majoring in sitar (Master degree) at Lalitkala campus under the guidance of Sitar Maestra Uma Thapa being the only young artiste in Nepal to have achieved degrees in both tabla and sitar. As result of his numerous years of training in both tabla and sitar, Mr. Shrestha’s profound understanding of diverse gharana styles and mastery of technical skill gradually began to resonate through the magical touch of his swift, agile fingers. Today he is hailed as one of the serious, young exponents of classical music, who constantly endeavors to infuse interest and respect for this traditional art in the hearts and minds of the younger generation. He has performed in different European countries (Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Holland, Austria and Italy) with his band “Prana Mundi). Currently, He is residing in Colorado, performing and offering sitar lessons. Andy Skellenger will accompany on tabla. He is one of Colorado’s premier percussionists and an up and coming figure of Indian Classical Music in America. In 2000, at the age of 18, Andy spent 6 months in India, beginning his immersion in the study of tabla. He has pursued his passion without pause for 18 years, developing formidable speed and clarity, a deep understanding of Indian Music, and a well rounded solo repertoire. He is a member of numerous ensembles in the Denver/Boulder area including Fortunato, Miguel Espinoza Flamenco Fusion, Jam Key Jam, and the Matt Skellenger Group.
