A music school founded by Bhutanese refugees in Akron鈥檚 North Hill neighborhood is introducing its sound to the greater community.
In this week鈥檚 Shuffle, Akron Beacon Journal music writer introduces us to The Himalayan Music Academy:
started last year as a way for Northeast Ohio鈥檚 thousands of refugees to stay connected to their culture.
The school, located in a North Main Street building in Akron鈥檚 North Hill neighborhood, was founded by refugee Puspa Gajmer, 32. Born in Nepal, he spent 20 years at a refugee camp in Nepal beginning at age 5.
鈥淭he way he puts it, 鈥楳y memories of Nepal are like a dream鈥� because he was so young. He went on to school and university and learned music. And he started teaching music at the refugee camp,鈥� Abram says.
Eventually, Gajmer and his wife settled in Akron and he began teaching music to other refugees in his home.
鈥淗e started gathering students and they said he should get more professional, so he did. And he got a building.鈥�
The Himalayan Music Academy also has some American students and teachers. Abram says there鈥檚 a man who travels to Akron from Erie, Pa., every Saturday for tabla lessons.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cD_WkflJ2E
Star power
The school also has a bit of Nepalese star power. One of the teachers is , who is a professional bansuri player (bamboo flute).
"He鈥檚 got records. He鈥檚 toured Europe and Asia and he鈥檚 got famous Nepalese artists who have recorded his tunes," Abram says.
In Akron, Bishwakarma and a few other musicians formed a band called Druk Fusion. 鈥淭hey play some traditional Nepalese and Bhutanese music. They play some more contemporary music and occasionally the theme to Titanic (鈥淢y Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion).鈥�
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OE2xrqFkldk
This weekend, The Himalayan Music Academy is having a coming-out party of sorts at Akron鈥檚 North Hill High School. will feature live Nepali music, dances, bamboo ensemble, classical guitar ensemble and other shows. Druk Fusion will also be performing.
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