India – 1994 Overland to Badami and Back
Shravanabelagola
I was born into a home where music and culture were part of daily life. My grandfather, Nathan Cantor, was a respected Jewish chazan (cantor) and baritone singer. Shortly after arriving in America from Russia, he won a gold medal for his singing at the 1893 Chicago World’s Exposition. My aunt Mary was a celebrated concert pianist and a contemporary of George Gershwin. It was largely thanks to her encouragement that my parents started me on classical piano lessons at the tender age of four.That early immersion in music, ritual, and performance became the foundation of who I am. Music wasn’t just something I did — it was the language through which I understood the world.
Badami
By the age of sixteen, I had already written my first original song. In my youth and early adulthood, I traveled extensively across the United States and Europe as a singer-songwriter. I performed in public spaces, theaters, nightclubs in Paris and Amsterdam, and even for stranded sailors in Alaska and Oregon. I also had the chance to appear in early off-off-Broadway musicals such as Nightclub Cantata and New York Street Show. During my college years, I toured with the experimental Via Theatre company and co-created an original performance piece titled “Tower of Babel: First Story” alongside Anne Bogart, David Schechter, and Ossian Cameron.While pursuing graduate studies at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, I created experimental site-specific works like Call of the Mall and Garage Symphony, which were featured in the prestigious New Music America festival. These pieces explored themes of ritual, place, and audience participation — ideas that still influence my work today.
Aihole
I earned my Bachelor of Arts in American History and Theatre Arts from Bard College. I was honored to receive the John Bard History Scholarship in American Studies. During my time there, I served as President of the Drama Club, was a member of the Student Senate, and acted as Vice President of the Hillel Society. My studies focused deeply on the works of Thorstein Veblen, H.L. Mencken, and Will Rogers. At the same time, I remained very active in theatre, performing in both classical and contemporary productions.
Pattadakal
By the age of sixteen, I had already written my first original song. In my youth and early adulthood, I traveled extensively across the United States and Europe as a singer-songwriter. I performed in public spaces, theaters, nightclubs in Paris and Amsterdam, and even for stranded sailors in Alaska and Oregon. I also had the chance to appear in early off-off-Broadway musicals such as Nightclub Cantata and New York Street Show. During my college years, I toured with the experimental Via Theatre company and co-created an original performance piece titled “Tower of Babel: First Story” alongside Anne Bogart, David Schechter, and Ossian Cameron.While pursuing graduate studies at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, I created experimental site-specific works like Call of the Mall and Garage Symphony, which were featured in the prestigious New Music America festival. These pieces explored themes of ritual, place, and audience participation — ideas that still influence my work today.
