‍Edmonds Park

Intersection of Humphries and Rosewood Ave, Burnaby

We are excited to welcome Mohamed Assani, who will be activating the FLEET studio in Edmonds Park from November 12, 2024 - January 9, 2025. While visiting FLEET, Assani will be using the opportunity to write an original piece of music for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra featuring sitar, tabla and full orchestra. He will also be showcasing some of the initial ideas of this symphonic work with his trio at the FLEET studio as well as a workshop on South Asian classical music.

To register for an event below, please email fleetstudios@othersights.ca.

Half-Day Workshop: Passport to South Asian Music | November 16th, 2024 at 1PM

Passport to South Asian Music - A Workshop for the General Public Now part of our global culture, South Asian music has touched audiences around the world – whether it be through Bollywood songs, bhangra rhythms, kirtan, Sufi qawwali or Ravi Shankar’s sitar. In this workshop for the general public, participants will be introduced to basic melodic patterns and learn an Indian rhythmic time-cycle. Since Indian music uses complex rhythms, Mohamed will teach specific counting techniques & exercises to boost participants’ understanding of this music. Participants can also take part in some interactive musical exercises, including learning how to recite tabla rhythms and count the beat cycles.

Open Studio Session featuring Mohamed Assani Trio | November 17th, 2024 at 4 PM

The Mohamed Assani Trio takes music to new realms while remaining committed to the rich roots of South Asian traditions. Mohamed will be joined on sitar by talented multi-instrumentalist and percussionist, Curtis Andrews, and versatile tabla player, Gurdit Singh, for an afternoon of original intercultural and original compositions.

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Full-Day Workshop: Demystifying South Asian Music | December 7th, 2024 at 11 AM
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Whether you are a percussionist, instrumentalist or vocalist, if you want to deepen your knowledge of Raag and Taal - rhythm and melody in South Asian Music, this workshop is for you. Learn how to play in complex time cycles, like 7, 9, and 10; grow your confidence in cross-rhythms; and acquire skills in rhythmic vocalization and counting techniques. You will also learn how to translate rhythmic ideas into melodic form on your instrument or voice.

Master sitar player Mohamed Assani will lead the workshop, drawing on specific rhythmic and melodic elements from music of India and Pakistan. Regardless of your genre, these techniques will enhance your musicianship and you will learn how to apply these skills in your music-making. Space is limited, so don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to be part of an intimate, interactive and fun experience. (Participants are welcome to bring you instruments)

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Mohamed Assani is a sitarist and composer, known for his genre-defying approach to music making. Trained in Indian/Pakistani classical music, Western classical music and jazz, his music-making seamlessly draws from different genres and cultures with depth and authenticity. Mohamed was twice nominated (in 2021 and 2022) as ‘Instrumental Artist of the Year’ for the Western Canadian Music Awards.

Mohamed has brought his sitar to new audiences across the globe through innovative collaborations that have stretched the boundaries of his instrument. Career highlights include co-writing a sitar concerto that was performed by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, performing for his Royal Highness the Aga Khan, being invited to teach at London’s prestigious Royal Academy of Music, and performing for celebrity couple Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas. In 2023, Mohamed’s music video "Lullaby for Guli" was nominated as a finalist at the Berlin FilmHaus Festival and was selected for screening as part of the International South Asian Film Festival 2023.

Image (above): Photograph of Mohamed Assani with sitar.

Images (below): Photograph of Mohamed Assani (left), Photograph of Mohamed Assani with sitar (right). Photos by Kristine Cofsky.