Nisha Joshi
 Nisha Joshi is a classical Hindustani vocalist and sitar musician born and raised in Rajastan, a province in northwest India. Her father was a music enthusiast who encouraged his five children to study music and dance. Nisha grew up studying the North Indian classical music and learning folk songs and dances from the many festivals that mark the Indian calendar. She earned a Ph.D. in Hindustani vocals from Delhi University and has taught elementary through college-level students for more than 25 years. Area: Portland area Type: Residency, Workshop, Performance Grades: 1-12 Costs: See fee schedule for workshops and residencies; $300 per hour for performance Songs of Northern India Students learn about the songs, customs, festivals, and people of Rajastan through music. She teaches vocal exercises and an introduction to Indian music, including instruments, rhythms, rags (RAH-gz), the relation of music to daily life, and a comparison of this classical form with that of Western music traditions. Students perform a song and gain appreciation for this important world musical tradition. Ghandi Through the Music of India Students will learn about Ghandi, the father of India’s independence from Britain, and his non-violent approach to social change. They learn several of his favorite songs, as well as discuss the songs’ meanings. Sitar: Appreciation of Indian Music (performance) Nisha performs traditional Indian rags on the sitar and explains the history of the instrument and the use of improvisation in Indian music. CONTENT STANDARD CONNECTIONS: The Arts: Cultural & Historical Connections; Create, Present and Perform Social Sciences: World History; Geography |