WORLD MUSIC & ARTS ALTADENA

Sangeet Mission & Vision

Sangeet provides a direct access to the diverse cultural tapestry of Los Angeles as a microcosm of the world.  We provide intimate experiences of traditional and contemporary artistry of the highest level through authentic and innovative education and creative performance events in various Los Angeles communities from Pasadena to the Westside. 

National and international collaborations with virtuoso performing and teaching artists are now in place with partners in New York City, Mexico DF, and Kolkata, India.

Brief History

The Sangeet School has been in existence since 1993, originally as a presenter under the name Shplang Community Arts. We opened our Highland Park center for presenting & teaching world music in 1996. We have been a vibrant force in the North East Los Angeles community, bringing quality multi-cultural arts programming for all ages (an average of 6-8 concerts annually) and ongoing classes for children, youth and adults, including special workshops by visiting international artists. We have also had a greater civic presence in Los Angelesthrough our productions in the World Festival of Sacred Music (’01, ’04 & ’08)the Ford Amphitheatre, and numerous music festivals around the City, from Eagle Rock to Santa Monica and Pacoima to Orange County.

Recent Events & Activities 2009-2012

In addition to ongoing classes of eastern and western music in NELA, Pasadena & Westchester this past year we held our first annual Sangeet Yatra intensive workshop of Indian music in Kolkata, India. We have continued to develop growing relationship with students and partnerships between Mexico & the US. We also initiated a tour featuring artists from India and US performing together, including 18 concerts in the greater Los Angeles area and around Northern California and Central Mexico. Several concerts in the Los Angeles area were supported with funding from the Durfee Foundation and the American Composers Forum.

Current & Upcoming Programming 2013/14

Sangeet has been awarded a teaching grant for the fifth year through the Music LA Program of the Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Dept for teaching youth about Indian and world music traditions though creative performance ensembles incorporating instruments from east and west this May/June ‘09.
See video of the 2009 Teen Shplang Ensemble here.

In December 2013/January 2014 we will again travel to India with a group of students for our ‘Sangeet Yatra’, a cross-cultural music program in Kolkata, West Bengal (Calcutta) for students from the West, to learn and interact with master performing/teaching artists on a daily basis for 2 weeks in India, while attending nightly concerts and first hand exposure to the vibrant artistry of this cultural capital of India.

Constituency/Community

Sangeet has served the Highland Park community since 1996 including programs for children, youth & adults. Demographics average 35% Latino, 25% European descent, 20% Asian, 10% Middle Eastern & 10% African American.

Organizational Structure

We are a small organization that fluctuates between 1 and 2 part time staff members depending on our program load. This year we have hired a ful time administrator for the first time. The majority of expenses are still directed towards our artistic progamming. We have featured over 40 virtuoso artists & teachers representing authentic traditions from Asia, Latin America, Africa, Europe including local and visiting performers from abroad.

Paul functions as both director and board chair/president who in turn reports to the board in bi-annual meetings.

Administrator & Webmaster: Meena Patil
sangeetLA@gmail.com
(323) 899-0704

Director : Paul Livingstone
(323) 899-0704 zpaulz@gmail.com

Sangeet School of World Music
www.tanpura.com/sangeet
3636 Skylane Drive, Altadena, CA 91001
Federal non-profit tax id# 95-4340800