Aarya Ganesan is a 17 year old student from Bangalore, India, studying in Greenwood International High School, pursuing Music as her main subject of the IB curriculum under the guidance of Mr. Omprakash Roy. Aarya was the youngest member from India to participate in the 7th Luci Della Ribalta International Festival and Masterclasses in Narni – Italy in 2017 as a Pianist. She had the privilege to have masterclasses from world famous Serbian Concert Pianist Maestra Nataša Šarčević and also performed a piece of Chopin – her favorite composer in the evening concert in Narni at the end of her course.

Aarya began learning the keyboard at the age of 6, which mainly revolved around Indian Music. She started developing a keen interest in Western Classical Music and started going to Piano classes under Ms. Serena Anthony at the age of 8. She is currently going to be giving her Grade 8 Piano Exam under Trinity in the winter session of 2017. In 2014, she secures 2nd place in the Kawai Junior Piano competition – judged by Ms. Pauline Warjri. She has performed in numerous Student Recitals organized by her teacher, Ms. Anthony, she has performed for the NRI Parents’ Association of Bangalore and at two fundraisers. She also takes part in annual Graduation Day Celebrations amongst other functions at school. Aarya personally enjoys Romantic Music and Contemporary Music. She also takes great interest in Music Composition and Song-writing which she will be pursuing in college.

A well reputed Italian Non Profit organisation L’Associazione Mozart Italy sede de Terni invites Western Classical musicians and students from all over Europe and around the world to take part in the amazing festival and masterclass program in the beautiful city of Narni. The Association brings the most prominent Maestros of Europe to conduct the Masterclasses on various classical musical instruments and voice. The initiative of the noted Indian musician Michael Makhal and renowned Italian opera singer/trainer Ms. Anais Lee – the Director of the Association Mozart Italia to build an alliance between the Association and Michael Makhal Symphony Orchestra certainly opened a new avenue for the Western Classical musicians and and students of India to take part in one of the world’s most reputed festivals – The Luci Della Ribalta International Festival and Masterclasses. Michael believes, “The collaboration will certainly create a bridge between the Western Classical musicians and students of India and Europe and help them building personal and professional network, which could cause to various International exchange programs in the future.” He also says, “International exposure is equally important for students and professional musicians both along with learning and performing music in their home-state. It helps one to be a musician in whole and boost tremendous level of confidence to collaborate, communicate and perform in a broader spectrum. Indeed, touring for learning and performing music is priceless, makes you highly imaginative and creative too.”

The festival takes place in beautiful Italian town called Narni, in Italy. Narni is an ancient hill-town and comune of Umbria, in central Italy, with 20,385 inhabitants. At an altitude of 240 m, it overhangs a narrow gorge of the Nera River in the province of Terni. Narni-Amelia (the train station) is little more than 1 hour in train from Roma Termini.

MMSO is the official representative of the L’Associazione Mozart Italy for selecting the right candidate from India for the festival and help them to understand how the Luci Della Ribalta International Festival and Masterclasses functions and also, guide them to prepare for the audition and the respective masterclasses. The Western Classical music students and professionals who desire to participate in the festival and attend the masterclasses, are requested to contact Mr. Makhal for the upcoming audition. The first level audition will be conducted every year from January in free of cost. Once the candidates are selected, they will introduced to the secretory of the Association in Italy to initiate the formalities. Please keep your eyes on our Facebook Page India Italy Music Connection for all the upcoming updates. You can also visit the website of the Association to know about the course fee and learn all about the festival and masterclasses, click here. You can always mail us for further details at makhalsymphony@gmail.com