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About me |
Drawing upon her unique Indo-Trinidadian roots, Rishima created Ray of Light Music (a direct translation of "Rishima") to share her knowledge of Indian devotional music with those who would like to learn and experience the deep roots of spirituality in music.
Initially singing spiritual Indian songs rooted in the temple traditions of bhajans, kirtan and other devotional music, she later studied and performed formal music in piano and violin, voice, harmonium, and some Indian percussion. She started learning from local teachers at the age of 7 (1980's). Later, Rishima worked under the guidance of Elena Steele (1996-2006), polishing her Western repertoire and her Indian vocals with Neeraja Aptikar (2006-2008). She studied with the Pandit Jasraj Institute in Vancouver (2005) and has been enriching her vocals in North Indian music with the Shankar Mahadevan Academy in India with Madhumita Chakraborty (2014-2017). Since 2016, she has been learning Dhrupad (Naad yoga - yoga of sound) an ancient meditative style of singing that originated from the Sama Veda. She is taught by Manish Kumar, one of the Bihar Brothers duo and part of the Dagarvani lineage. Rishima has also completed a Raga Therapy certification with NADA Centre for Music Therapy, India (2019). She is presently working towards on a Prayag Sangeet Samhiti (classical Hindustani music certification) with Ajivasan (India), and is learning Kathak, a classical form of Indian dance with the Leela Institute (Los Angeles, USA). She continues to be influenced by the many talented musicians and teachers surrounding her. She has sung at local cultural and charity events, yoga centres, international TV interviews, festivals locally and internationally, weddings, spiritual centres, temples and workshops. Rishima also teaches locally and internationally online in Spanish and English.
Rishima is a strong believer in the positive impact of music, and has taught music as a teacher both on the Vancouver School Board and internationally through volunteer and private events. She is presently an elementary school teacher in Vancouver. She holds a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Development as well as a Bachelor of Education in Elementary Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. In her off time, she volunteers as a coordinator for the Canadian Institute of Sathya Sai Education in Human Values and is the founder of Sol Community Education Society, a society that supports rural education in Northern Peru. She is also the proud mother of 2!
Partial proceeds of all lessons and performances go towards the school she runs as the director of Sol Community Education Society. For more information about the society please go here: https://www.facebook.com/SolCommunityEducation
Initially singing spiritual Indian songs rooted in the temple traditions of bhajans, kirtan and other devotional music, she later studied and performed formal music in piano and violin, voice, harmonium, and some Indian percussion. She started learning from local teachers at the age of 7 (1980's). Later, Rishima worked under the guidance of Elena Steele (1996-2006), polishing her Western repertoire and her Indian vocals with Neeraja Aptikar (2006-2008). She studied with the Pandit Jasraj Institute in Vancouver (2005) and has been enriching her vocals in North Indian music with the Shankar Mahadevan Academy in India with Madhumita Chakraborty (2014-2017). Since 2016, she has been learning Dhrupad (Naad yoga - yoga of sound) an ancient meditative style of singing that originated from the Sama Veda. She is taught by Manish Kumar, one of the Bihar Brothers duo and part of the Dagarvani lineage. Rishima has also completed a Raga Therapy certification with NADA Centre for Music Therapy, India (2019). She is presently working towards on a Prayag Sangeet Samhiti (classical Hindustani music certification) with Ajivasan (India), and is learning Kathak, a classical form of Indian dance with the Leela Institute (Los Angeles, USA). She continues to be influenced by the many talented musicians and teachers surrounding her. She has sung at local cultural and charity events, yoga centres, international TV interviews, festivals locally and internationally, weddings, spiritual centres, temples and workshops. Rishima also teaches locally and internationally online in Spanish and English.
Rishima is a strong believer in the positive impact of music, and has taught music as a teacher both on the Vancouver School Board and internationally through volunteer and private events. She is presently an elementary school teacher in Vancouver. She holds a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Development as well as a Bachelor of Education in Elementary Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. In her off time, she volunteers as a coordinator for the Canadian Institute of Sathya Sai Education in Human Values and is the founder of Sol Community Education Society, a society that supports rural education in Northern Peru. She is also the proud mother of 2!
Partial proceeds of all lessons and performances go towards the school she runs as the director of Sol Community Education Society. For more information about the society please go here: https://www.facebook.com/SolCommunityEducation
Select Past Performances in Canada, India, and Peru:
- Guest Teacher Trainer: Ayurvastu (Chile), Karma Teachers (Vancouver), Yoga Outreach (Vancouver) (2020/2021)
- Beloved Festival - Tidewater, Oregon USA (2019)
- Singing at the Labyrinth in St. Paul's Anglican Church, Vancouver (2019)
- Nada Yoga - Yoga of Sound - Kupuri Yoga, Mexico (2019)
- Day of Inner Peace Dhrupad and Bhajan performance, Inkarri Vancouver (2018)
- Richmond Culture Days workshops on rhythm in Indian music, Richmond Museum (2018)
- Nada Yoga - Yoga of Sound - Salt Spring Centre of Yoga (2018)
- Celebration of Lights - Performance of Devotional songs in Dhrupad, Mantra, and Kirtan at Banyen Books and Sound (2017)
- Talk "Evolución de la Música Clásica y Folkórica a la Música Moderna y Bollywood," at the Universidad de San Marcos, Peru (2017)
- Master class of Indian Music , Casa Vrinda, Peru (2017)
- Bhajan Workshop, Sathya Sai Centre Ari, Peru (2017)
- TV Interview on "Sobre el Tapete" with Silvia González, Capital TV Peru (2017)
- TV Interview on "A Mi Manera" with Patricia Salinas, TVPeru, Febrero (2017)
- Vancouver Yoga Festival, University of British Colombia (2017)
- Teaching basics of Indian music, mantra, and bhajan/kirtan in English and Spanish
- Singer for a Dave Stringer concert
- Goddess Nights with Alexina Mehta
- Krishna Lounge
- Chariot Festival Pre-show
- Zend Lounge
- Grassroots Yoga Festival
- Sathya Sai Centres (weekly sessions and festivals)
- AMSSA Health Fair
- Nepal House Society Fundraiser
- Vancouver Fringe Festival
- Festival of Voice on multiple occacions with Elena Steele
- Prashanti Nilayam, India - various occasions from 1997 - 2010
- Vancouver Telethon Live on TV
- Multiple Indian Cultural shows
- Multiple Weddings
CDs
- Song to Ganesha - Anne Leader
- Healing Hope CD - #5 "Sea of Eternity" www.anneleader.com
- Temple of Lakshmi - "Mahalakshmi Ashtakam" - http://templeoflakshmi.com/ (in the center of the page with my name)
- Beloved Sai Volume I and II
Go to the Music page to hear samples .