The Voice In (And Of) Indian Classical Music: Carving Out a Tradition

CHAD HAMILL began his study under the direction of Rajeev Taranath, world-renowned vocalist and master of the sarod, and has been singing the classical music of northern India for the past 10 years. In 1997, Chad was awarded a Master of Fine Arts degree in North Indian classical vocal music from California Institute of the Arts. Soon after receiving his degree, Chad was asked to join the North Indian Classical Department at Cal Arts where he taught alongside his guru for the next 4 years. In 2003, he was awarded a graduate fellowship to attend the University of Colorado, Boulder, where he is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in musicology/ethnomusicology. In addition to teaching Indian Classical Music for Western Instruments at Naropa University, Chad teaches a course on the music of Asia at the University of Colorado- Boulder while giving lectures and performing the classical music of northern India throughout the greater Denver area. In addition to his work in academia, Chad is a recording artist, having released four CD's since 1994. His latest effort, Sympatiko, features Brazilian guitarist Joao Junqueira in a collaboration that blends elements of Brazilian, Native American and Indian classical music. The self-titled debut received airplay on over 200 stations throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe and has been met with critical acclaim in various U.S. and internet publications.