Ashwini Bhure

I am a passionate and dedicated Hindustani classical vocalist and coach trained in the Guru-Shishya Parampara under Ustad Rais Bale Khan — a seventh-generation hereditary musician and Sitarist of the Dharwad Gharana, one of India’s distinguished North Indian classical lineages. Under his guidance, I have maintained an unbroken daily Riyaz and Sadhana practice for last several years, building command across raag structure, alaap development, Teentaal and Ektaal, and the full ornamental vocabulary of Hindustani classical voice — meend, gamak, andolan, and taan construction. I also learn Sitar under the same Guru.

I have also three decades of corporate experience in Software Industry and last 15 years holding leadership positions as Director of a Software Company.

I have completed my academic training in Hindustani classical vocal music through the Bachelor of Performing Arts in Vocal Music (BA) at IGNOU — Indira Gandhi National Open University, India’s nationally recognized institution for performing arts. I have been teaching Hindustani classical vocal music for many years, working with beginner to intermediate level students including adult learners and working professionals. Several of my students have developed sufficient foundation to perform publicly and prepare for classical music examinations.

I also actively share my daily Riyaz practice with an international audience of classical music enthusiasts across the US, UK, and Australia — which has given me real experience in making this tradition accessible and meaningful to students with no prior background in Indian classical music. I teach in English and welcome absolute beginners warmly.

I teach in the tradition I was trained in — one concept at a time, fully understood before the next is introduced. Every student, regardless of level, begins with Swar Sadhana: the foundational practice of precise pitch, breath placement, and tonal resonance on individual notes. When this is stable do we move to Alankars, then to raag introduction, Bandish, and Alaap development. I do not rush students into complex taans or fast compositions before their voice and ear are genuinely ready.

My lessons are calm and structured. After each session, I give every student a specific, written Riyaz practice plan — not general guidance to “practice,” but precise instructions: which exercises, at what tempo, and what to listen for. Students who follow these plans consistently report clear improvement in their sur, rhythmic accuracy, and confidence within three to four weeks of regular lessons.

I particularly enjoy teaching adult beginners, many of whom arrive believing classical music is too difficult or that they have started too late. Within a few lessons, most find that neither is true. I adapt all technical explanations clearly for students unfamiliar with Indian musical terminology, and structure each lesson so progress is visible and felt — not just described.