About Us
--------------------------------------------------Smt. Darshana Zaveri
Darshana (Sangeet Alankar) is a Hindustani Vocalist and one of the foremost teachers of Hindustani Classical Music in the Triangle area. She comes from a family of musicians; she started her initial training at an early age of 7 under the guidance of her father Shri Nitin Soni. She then started learning under the guidance of guru Smt. Amita Chakraborty and her daughter Mitali Chakraborty. Later she received Gwalior Gharana training from guru Smt. Meghana Ashtaputre. She currently trains under the tutelage of guru Smt. Sudha Patwardhan.Darshana has been teaching music since before she came to USA. She helped her father with his music school in Gujarat, India. Darshana brought her love and passion for Hindustani classical music with her to the U.S. Sur Sumiran School of Music was founded in 2004. Today, it is one of the premier schools for learning Hindustani Classical Music in Cary, Morrisville, Raleigh and the greater triangle area and beyond.
Darshana is associated with various local Indian cultural organizations. Sur Sumiran School of Music is affiliated with ABGMV Mandal since 2011 and is the only authorized center to conduct Gandharva Mandal certification examinations in North Carolina. She also served on the board of Nuvyug Cultural Organization (http://nuvyug.net/) from 2006 - 2014.
Smt. Darshana Zaveri
Director, Sur Sumiran School of Music
Shri Nitin Soni
Shri Nitin Soni is a gifted musician who learned music from his mother at a very young age. He studied Mechanical Engineering but his passion for music brought him back to this field. He has been teaching music all his life. He has a bachelors’ degree in Music from Saurashtra University. He teaches Vocal and Instrumental music. He plays Keyboard, Harmonium, Tabla, Dholak, Indian Banjo, Flute, Guitar, Drums, et al. Nitin's forte is Tabla.
Shri Nitin Soni
About Darshana’s Gurus
Smt. Sudha Patwardhan
Smt. Sudha Patwardhan is an eminent vocalit of the Gwalior Gharana. She is a disciple of Late Pt. R.S. Wagh of Ujjain and Late Prof. N.V. Patwardhan of Baroda. She has been a radio artist for last 61 years (since 1955) with Akashvani Indore, Ahmedabad, Vadodara & Surat. She has authored numerous books on Hindustani Classical Music. Her articles have been published in sangeet magazines like Kala Vihaar, Sur Saurabh, etc. She was the first lady President of ABGMV Mandal in 116 years of Mandal’s history. She has given numerous public performances - Public recital in Pt. Omkarnath Sangeet Sammelan, Tanariri Sangeet Sammelan, Yearly performance at Mahila Sangeet Sammelan & many more local as well and Gujarat-statewide performances.She has won numerous awards including:
Kalamarmadnyatitle by Rashtriya Kala kendra Surat Academy Of Cultural Activities & Art's Institute Surat Honoured by Surat Municipal Corp. on Mahila Day 2003 TRADITIONAL WOMEN AWARD 2005 by JCRT WING SURAT METRO JAYCEES on World Women Day 2005 .
Her biodata has been published in the Asian American Who’s Who, New Delhi.
Smt. Sudha Patwardhan
Dr. Mitali Nag
Dr. Mitali Nag is an eminent vocalist from the Bhindi Bazaar Gharana. She completed her PhD from Saurashtra University under the guidance of Dr. Chandrakant Hirani. She received Sangeet Visharad degree under the guidance of her mother, Amita Chakraborty. She did her post graduation from MS University under the guidance of Dr. Dwarkanath Bhosle and Dr. Ishwar. She successfully runs her music institute called Swaranjali and strives to develop authentic music of India.
Dr. Mitali Nag
Darshana and Keyur with Indian Idol Sriram
Nitin with Sriram
