Face2News/Weston, MA
With 80 artists from five countries, 24 music recitals and two classical Indian dances, the LearnQuest Academy of Music kicks off its 16th Annual Music Festival at the Regis College auditorium in Weston, MA.
Scheduled from March 29th to 31st and April 13th to 14th, 2024, this event will offer an unparalleled showcase of music and dance experiences, bringing together world-renowned artists and enthusiasts alike.
The LearnQuest Music Conference has long been regarded as a signature event for artistic expression in the region, and this year’s expansion signifies a commitment to further enriching the cultural tapestry by extending the celebration across two distinctive weekends.
Some key highlights from this year’s festival:
Five days of music and dance spread over 2 weekends – March 29, 30, 31 and April 13 and 14. Presenting Indian Classical Music, in both Carnatic and Hindustani styles. Indian Classical dances – Kathak and Bharatanatyam, featuring established eminent maestros along with rising young musicians.
Presenting 24 music recitals and two dances featuring more than 80 artists.
Tabla legend Swapan Chaudhuri, Dhrupad singer Uday Bhawalkar, Sitarist Kushal Das, Sarodist Ken Zuckerman, vocalists Manjusha Patil and Mitali Bhawmik. Classical Dancers: Padmini Ravi (Bharatanatyam), Farah Shaikh (Kathak).
First time a wide representation of artists from five different countries. Forty artists from India, two from Europe, one from Canada, over 30 from the United States, including 28 from the Greater Boston area.
15 vocalists: seven Carnatic and 8 Hindustani., 16 solo instrumentalists., 17 melodic accompanists (violin and harmonium). 21 percussionists (Tabla and Mridangam)
17 chorus singers.
Some of the distinguished and well-known artists included are:
Carnatic Music: vocalists T. M. Krishna, Vijay Siva, Mridangist Thiruvarur Bhaktavatsalam, violinists Lalgudi GJR Krishnan and Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi, Flautists Shashank Subramanyam and V. K. Raman.
Hindustani Music: Tabla legend Swapan Chaudhuri, Dhrupad singer Uday Bhawalkar, Sitarist Kushal Das, Sarodist Ken Zuckerman, vocalists Manjusha Patil and Mitali Bhawmik. Classical Dancers: Padmini Ravi (Bharatanatyam), Farah Shaikh (Kathak).