SITAR

Playing music has always been a big part of my life, but in 2000 I bought my first Sitar and that became my main instrument. Since then, I’ve been actively studying, learning and performing North Indian Classical music.

In 2004, I received my BFA in World Music from California Institute of the Arts with a major in Sitar and minor in African dance studying with numerous masters including Rajeev Tarnanath, Swapan Chaudhuri, Kobla and Beatrice Ladzekpo.

To further my study in North Indian classical music, I receive training from Parthada Chatterjee in both India and the United States. In the spring of 2007, I performed in a 13 city European tour with Anoushka Shankar and  in 2009 /2010 toured throughout the US with Anoushka and Ravi Shankar playing tanpura accompaniment. In addition, in 2012 I played sitar on the sound track to the film, ‘The Life of Pi’.

Today I am working on different musical projects and perform publicly, or for private events with my husband Andrew (who is a member of the world renowned percussion group Hands On’Semble) in a Sitar and Tabla duo.  Check out the five tracks below to enjoy a demo and recent collaborations with Celeste Lear, Mac Quale and Fumosonic.

Track 1 –Raga Bihag- Courtney and Andrew Grueschow, Demo

Track 2 – Northern Star- Celeste Lear, Cloud 9.1

Track 3 –Getting Funky in Rajasthan – Celeste Lear, Cloud 9.1

Track 4 –Dub Funk- Mac Quale, Beyond Grace (film score)

Track 5 –Surrender- Fumosonic