Faculty

Music Faculty

Meet the Visionaries Behind EIMA

Dr. Pandit Ravideen Ramsamooj, affectionately known as Bhai Ravi, and Pandita Bharati Ramsamooj. As the founders of East Indian Music Academy, their passion for preserving and promoting Indian music and culture is the heartbeat of our institution. Dr. Pt. Ravideen, a maestro in various instruments and a renowned Vedic Hindu Priest, brings a wealth of knowledge rooted in years of study and practice. Pandita Bharati, a celebrated Pandita and accomplished singer, exemplifies a commitment to moral, spiritual, and cultural values.

Together, their journey, from the cultural richness of Guyana, Trinidad to the sacred teachings in India, forms the soulful narrative of East Indian Music Academy Inc.

EAST INDIAN MUSIC ACADEMY INC.

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Dr. Pandit Ravideen Ramsamooj

Also known as Bhai Ravi, Dr. Pt. Ravideen is an accomplished and highly educated musician, teacher, priest, and founder of the East Indian Music Academy. Dr. Pt. Ravideen’s extensive knowledge of both Indian and Western music enabled him to establish the East Indian Music Academy in New York with a mission of creating an awareness and an appreciation of authentic Indian music and culture and preserving these roots. He is skilled in vocal/harmonium, sitar, tabla, sarod, violin, sarangi, santoor, and basuri.
Born in Carolina Village, Trinidad, he is the fourth of nine sons of the late Pt. Sookdeo, a Ramayan singer, and Sookdiah Ramsamooj. Dr. Pt. Ravideen got his start teaching in schools in Trinidad with his Teacher’s Diploma in Music. In 1984, he left Trinidad for India to advance his studies. Dr. Pt. Ravideen earned a B.A. with Honors and an M.A. in Hindustani Music at Delhi University. In 2012, he completed his doctorial degree in Indian Classical Music under the guidance of Dr. Madhu Bhatt Tailang from Rajasthaan University, Jaipur. His years spent in India meeting with numerous talented musicians was one of the most memorable times in his life.

Dr. Pt. Ravideen has also been a religious pioneer throughout his life. He and his brother held the first Arya Vir Dal camp in Trinidad in 1976, starting a strong Vedic Hindu youth movement. He completed the three levels of the religious examination held by Veda Niketan of South Africa and was ordained as a Vedic Hindu Priest by the Arya Prathinidhi Sabha of Trinidad in 1989. In 1990, he joined the Arya Spiritual Center in New York as a music teacher and a priest

Pandita Bharati Ramsamooj

Pta. Bharati Ramsamooj is the Principal of the East Indian Music Academy and a foremost Pandita with the Arya Spiritual Center in New York. She epitomizes a deep commitment to moral, spiritual, social, and cultural values. Pta. Bharati was born in Windsor Forest, West Coast Demerara, Guyana. She started singing Bhajans at Yajnas at the tender age of 6, the beginning of her career as a renowned singer. By age 10, she had completed the eighteen chapters of the Bhagwad Gita under the guidance of Shri Deonarineji. After graduating from the Indian Educational Trust College, she worked at Prasad’s Hospital. Pta. Bharati became very involved with the Arya Vir Dal where she participated in intensive seminars and camps. She also took part in radio programs on GBS and Radio Demerara. Pta. Bharati was considered the nightingale of Demerara.

In 1981, Pta. Bharati and Pt. Ravi got married and together they pursued studies in India. Pta. Bharati earned her B.A. in Hindi at Agra University and a Diploma in Hindi from Delhi University. She also attended Shri Ram Bharatiya Kalakendra where she studied light music under the distinguished Shelly Dutta. With her high musical, academic, and religious caliber, Pta. Bharati continues to be a strong leader and role model in the community.

MEET OUR TEAM

Welcome to the EIMA Family! Our esteemed team at East Indian Music Academy Inc. takes pride in nurturing not just musicians but a community passionate about Indian culture and music. We believe in recognizing and promoting talent from within our student body, fostering a sense of achievement and growth. As you scroll down to meet our dedicated instructors, you'll discover the wealth of expertise and commitment that defines the essence of EIMA.

Avirodh Sharma Ramsamooj

Assistant Principal

An EIMA teacher for 23 years, Avirodh Sharma is one of the nation's leading tabla players propagating the tradition of rhythm. Trinidadian-born, Avi was trained by his parents, Pt. Ravideen and Pta. Bharati. A multifaceted and highly accomplished artist, composer, and producer, Avirodh Sharma’s work has been featured in films, TV, and radio and he has collaborated with various artists such as Karsh Kale and David Parsons. Not only was Avi’s 2015 album “Melodic Intersect - Inner Vision” nominated for the Independent Music Awards for “Best World Beat Album” but his follow-up 2017 album “Melodic Intersect - Looking Forward” also charted 8 weeks at #1 on the World Music Charts. Internationally acclaimed, Avi's performances have captivated audiences across Europe, South Asia, the Caribbean, and Dominican Republic, Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and the United States. In January 2019, he performed at the world’s biggest religious festival, Kumbh Mela in India.

Diana Bacchus-Ramsamooj

Teacher/ Administration

Diana has studied music for over 15 years and she loves to sing. Her most challenging instrument is the sitar. Diana has her Masters Degree in Elementary Education and has 15+ years of experience working with children. During the summer she leads Vir Dal Camp (youth leadership training) at her mandir and once a month she leads a youth forum. One of her favorite quotes is "The woman I was yesterday introduced me to the woman I am today; which makes me excited about meeting the woman I will become tomorrow.”

Rajin Rambaran

Teacher

Rajin has been an EIMA student for 17 years, learning harmonium, vocal, and tabla, and he now contributes as a teacher as well. His favorite instrument is harmonium because of all the possibilities it allows for. For Rajin, depending on what you play on harmonium, you have the power to change the mood of any setting as well as the mood of the people around you, and he finds this to be a truly amazing experience. His favorite quote is, “A painter paints pictures on canvas. But musicians paint their pictures on silence,” by Leopold Stokowski. Rajin attends Queens College where he is pursuing a degree in Computer Science.

Urvashie Kissoon

Teacher

Urvashie Kissoon started her training in the Lucknow Gharana of Kathak at the East-West School of Dance from renowned dancer Guru Pandit Satya Narayana Charka at a tender age. At the same time, she began learning Bharatanatyam from the Padmalaya Dance Academy under the guidance of Srimati Guru Raja Rajeshwari. She then furthered her Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi education under Smt. Gargi Chattopadhyay. Urvashie has completed her Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi Rangapravesham and her Kathak Rangmanch Pravesh, better known as a dance debut, with the grace of all her Gurus. In 2021, Urvashie co-founded Kalakriti Academy of the Arts with her co-founder, Henna Khanijou Sharma, with the blessings of their Guru. Henna and Urvashie are enthralled to see where this journey takes them in the upcoming years.

Ashvini Panday

Teacher

Ashvini is a vocal and harmonium student at the East Indian Music Academy. She’s been attending EIMA since she was 4 years old. She says it’s an honor to be able to teach harmonium at the academy after attending for 14 years now. She attends the Bhuvaneshwar Mandir where she engages in Kirtan singing and chanting and takes part in many of their activities and events. She strives to make a difference in her music whenever she sings and aims to touch people’s hearts. Ever since she’s learned to play harmonium, it gave her this feeling of calmness and relaxation. Music is something that she can rely on to ease her mood whenever she is going through a tough time or has a bad day. Ashvini is currently a senior at Townsend Harris High School and will be graduating in June 2024. She aspires to pursue a career in law.

Mathew Bansi

Teacher

Matthew has been learning and practicing tabla for about 10 years and harmonium for 6 years. He says it’s an honor and privilege to pass on what he’s been taught to his students. Along with music, he is passionate about cars. Matthew is also a student at Adelphi University aspiring to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.

Sasha Ramsamooj

Teacher

Sasha is 20 years old. She attends York College, and aspire to be a nurse. Sasha has been attending East indian Music Academy since she was six years old. Her favorite instrument is playing the harmonium and singing.

Dr. Padmini (Karen) Persaud

Teacher

Padmini has been a part of EIMA for 21 years, singing and playing harmonium and now practicing sitar too. She loves working with children and she enjoys her role in getting EIMA students to participate in community events. One of Padmini’s main goals is to continue giving back to the community, utilizing both her professional and spiritual/musical background. She attends functions at various mandirs and volunteers for fundraising and youth support. Padmini holds a Doctorate Degree in Pharmacy and she is currently working as a Staff Pharmacist in New Jersey. Padmini lives by the Mother Teresa quote, "Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.

Alisha Mahadeo

Teacher

Alisha has been a passionate harmonium and tabla student for about 6 years. She loves being connected with music, and is thrilled to teach her students everything she has learned at the music school. Along with learning music, she enjoys binging shows, drinking tea, and spending time with family and friends. Alisha is also a student at Baruch College, aspiring to purse a career in accounting.

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Jada Modan

Teacher

Jada has been practicing harmonium and tabla since the age of 6, and has been a student at EIMA for 9 years. She enjoys teaching because it is a pleasure to share her skills to kids who she hopes will enjoy learning too. One of her favorite quotes is “Music is the universal language of mankind.” from Henry Longfellow, as it teaches you that the emotion conveyed in music unites everyone around the world. Currently, she attends the Scholars’ Academy High School.

Kavish Bandan

Teacher

My name is Kavish Bandan. I’m 19 years old and attend Stony Brook University. I’m in the premed track as I am studying to become a doctor. I love to play the tabla as it’s my favorite Indian instrument.

Priti Narine

Teacher

Priti is a 17 year old who has been attending EIMA for 12 years now. Pandit Ravi teaches her harmonium, sitar, and violin. Bahin Urvashie teachers her kathak dancing.

Niraj Ramsamooj

Teacher

Niraj Ramsamooj has been learning sastriya sangeet since the age of 4 under the guidance of Pandit Ravideen Ramsamooj for vocal and many talented tabla teachers. He has a degree in chemistry from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and is perusing a degree in clinical lab science at York College currently. Niraj has learned vocal, harmonium, tabla, sitar, violin, and Hindi at EIMA

Ashmini Jaisingh

Teacher

Ashmini is a continuing education vocal and harmonium student who has been attending EIMA for 11 years. She has also taken tabla classes for about 4 years. Ashmini became a student teacher in 2022 and teaches both harmonium and tabla. She is currently a student attending Hofstra University majoring in computer science.

Jival Bandan
Teacher
He has been attending EIMA since he was in his mommy’s tummy. He is skilled in Vocal, Harmonium, Tabla and a wide range of instruments. He’s aspiring to become a surgeon.