Toronto Tabla Ensemble

Kathak and Tabla under same roof.

Tabla classes at the Toronto Tabla Ensemble are taught in the traditional style; to develop an understanding of tabla stroke technique, recitation and rhythmic theory.

Through Ritesh Das’ lineage, own studies and vision, this traditional style of North Indian rhythmic system, is passed on to all students, many of which have become professional students themselves.
Class levels, which are available from the introductory to professional levels, allow for the student interested in studying tabla as a means of relaxation, or those who wish to become professional musicians.

Joanna de Souza has been studying Kathak dance under Pandit Chitresh Das since 1978. She studied in the guru-shisha-param-para tradition, and has been given a deep knowledge of Kathak, through this one-on-one relationship.

A full time dancer, teacher, and choreographer, Joanna teaches from beginner to professional levels, on a year-round basis. With dedication to see Kathak continue to flourish in Canada, she teaches all classes, including those for children.

Joanna is also a founding member as musician and dancer with the internationally recognized Toronto Tabla Ensemble.

As an informed, non-South Asian kathak dancer, Joanna brings her unique perspective to all classes, choreographies and performances.

Kathak class levels vary from beginning, for those with little or no dance experience, to advanced, for students who have been studying with Joanna for some years. All students move from the levels of intermediate and advanced classes on an individual basis, once they have completed the beginning levels. This allows for each student to progress at their own pace and classes at all levels are available during each week.

15 all on Flickr.

Razak and Naushad tabla duet accompanied by Joannaji on harmonium. Performance at Bengali New Year Celebration in Toronto.

During the mid-19th century, missionaries brought French-made hand-pumped harmoniums to India. The instrument quickly became popular there: it was portable, reliable and easy to learn. It has remained popular to the present day, and the harmonium remains an important instrument in many genres of Indian music. For example, it is a staple of vocal North Indian classical music concerts. It is commonly found in Indian homes. Though derived from the designs developed in France, the harmonium was developed further in India in unique ways, such as the addition of drone stops and a scale-changing mechanism.

13 Shehzeen on Flickr.

Shehzeen gives an interview for ATN (Asian Television Network) at our second annual Bengali New Year celebration.

Joanna de Souza has been studying Kathak dance under Pandit Chitresh Das since 1978. She studied in the guru-shisha-param-para tradition, and has been given a deep knowledge of Kathak, through this one-on-one relationship.

A full time dancer, teacher, and choreographer, Joanna teaches from beginner to professional levels, on a year-round basis. With dedication to see Kathak continue to flourish in Canada, she teaches all classes, including those for children.

Joanna is also a founding member as musician and dancer with the internationally recognized Toronto Tabla Ensemble.

As an informed, non-South Asian kathak dancer, Joanna brings her unique perspective to all classes, choreographies and performances.

Kathak class levels vary from beginning, for those with little or no dance experience, to advanced, for students who have been studying with Joanna for some years. All students move from the levels of intermediate and advanced classes on an individual basis, once they have completed the beginning levels. This allows for each student to progress at their own pace and classes at all levels are available during each week.

After much demand, The Toronto Tabla Ensemble is starting new classes geared towards people wanting to learn how to play tabla with chanting and kirtan. 

This is a wonderful opportunity to learn with tabla master Ritesh Das who has been teaching since 1988 and has performed all over the world.

Students will not only learn tabla, they will learn proper pronunciation of slokas, and much more about Indian, culture, history and tradition.

Classes are on Wednesday evenings 7:15 PM, starting on the 27th of March, 2013.

torontotabla.com