Meet the Music Therapy Interns!

Mewsic has been blessed with four final-year music therapy students from the University of Melbourne! Read about these talented young ladies who are here doing wonderful things for the cancer children from underpriviliged backgrounds at st. jude childcare centre, as well as their supervisor Lucy, Mewsic's 2013 partner representative from Australian Music Therapy Association!

Introducing Ashleigh, Angelie, Emily and Vanessa and their Supervisor (as well as representative from Australian Music Therapy Association) Lucy!

Angelie

Angelie is from Melbourne, Australia and has a great passion for using her music skills to help children of all ages achieve their potentials in health.  Angelie loves to sing and play piano, and enjoys spending time with her teeny tiny dog!  She loves good food, engaging conversations and groovy music.

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Ashleigh

Ashleigh completed her bachelor in contemporary music at JMC academy in Melbourne in 2010 majoring in vocals and will complete her Master of Music Therapy at the University of Melbourne at the end of 2013.Through her clinical placements Ashleigh has had experience working in aged care, palliative care and general paediatrics within the acute hospital setting. Outside of university life, Ashleigh works as a vocal and piano teacher and performs regularly around Melbourne as a vocalist in several bands.

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Emily

Emily completed her Bachelor of Music (studying double bass) at the University of Western Australia in 2010 and will complete her Master of Music Therapy at the University of Melbourne at the end of 2013. Through her clinical placements Emily has experience working in paediatric oncology, early intervention, and neurological rehabilitation. In her spare time Emily likes to bake!

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Vanessa

Vanessa studied at the Sydney Conservatorium where she completed a Bachelor of Music (first class honours) in 2007 and a Masters of Music (Performance) in 2009, majoring on flute. Having toured extensively overseas as Principal Flutist with numerous orchestras throughout China, Germany, the Czech Republic, Italy and the Netherlands, Vanessa has also toured and performed nationally with chamber ensembles and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Vanessa continues to play as a freelance musician in Sydney while also completing a Masters of Music Therapy. Vanessa’s music therapy experience includes working with children in palliative care and respite, adolescents with autism, and in a residential nursing home for patients with dementia.

Lucy - Supervisor & Representative from Australian Music Therapy Association

Lucy has recently submitted her PhD at Melbourne University studying the process of collaborative music participation with communities supporting marginalised young people. She is committed to participatory approaches to clinical practice and research.
Recent clinical practice working in a women and children’s refuge in Bangladesh prompted an interest in the potential role and subsequent responsibilities of music therapists working in community and international development settings.  This experience has fuelled a broader interest in sustainability and collaboration in music therapy practice, which has informed in her recent music therapy action research projects and practice, both in community and education settings in Melbourne, Australia.

Looking forward, Lucy has just taken a position working as a course tutor for the graduate certificate of music therapy in Delhi, India. She looks forward to further exploring notions of collaboration, music and health in the South Asian context.

FAQs about Music Therapy

Why use Music as a basis for Therapy?

This field of therapy has developed out of the fact that music is universal, connecting people across language and cultural barriers. Music is innate and is therefore powerful in the responses it can generate from each individual, making music therapy unique in practice, yet widespread in its application.

Who can benefit from Music Therapy?

Music Therapists use music interventions to address the health goals of all age groups and abilities.

Music therapy can address physical, social, emotional and developmental health goals of individuals. Some examples of using music therapy include, but are not limited to:

·        Pain management and relaxation

·        Positive engagement to address withdrawal from environment (particularly for pediatric patients)

·        assisting with sleep

·        Using music in conjunction with other therapies to reach full health potentials, such as occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and speech therapy

·        Emotional distress, release, and music-supported counselling

·        Socialisation, relatedness and positive self-esteem

·        Communication and speech development and/or rehabilitation

·        Physical development and rehabilitation

Do you need to have musical skill to benefit from Music Therapy?

While music-based techniques are applied in sessions, a music therapy participant does not need to possess any formal musical training or experience beforehand.

What kind of techniques are applied during a music therapy session?

Some of the techniques used by music therapists include:

·        instrument playing

·        songwriting and lyric substitution

·        music improvisation

·        receptive music therapy and reminiscence

·        rhythmic enterainment (physical rehabilitation)

What training is required to become a Music Therapist?

Music therapy is a research-based practice that is conducted by practitioners all around the World, at varying levels. While some education institutions provide 6-month courses on Music Therapy, becoming a qualified Music Therapist of international standard requires the completion of a post-graduate degree in Music Therapy, involving a mix of research-based and placement-based learning.

Why does Mewsic recruit Music Therapists from Australia?

Music Therapy is still a new field of therapy in India. There are very few opportunities to train to become a music therapist, with those currently being offered not yet reaching international standards.

The goal of the Mewsic Therapy in Hospitals program is to provide employment opportunities for local music therapists, thus providing job placements for local graduates and encouraging the growth of this field in the country. Working towards this goal, Mewsic is providing placements for Australian Music Therapists, in order to establish Mewsic Therapy Departments providing therapy session of international standards, in order to nurture local therapists through internships, and work towards a smooth hand-over towards local music therapists in the future.

Mewsic Therapy begins at St Jude with Four Australian Music Therapy Interns!

Students Ashleigh, Angelie, Emily and Vanessa from the University of Melbourne and their supervisor from Australian Music Therapy Association, Lucy, are delivering one month of Mewsic Therapy within  four St Jude Centres over the month and developing individualized techniques in music therapy to address the social, physical, emotional and developmental needs of children suffering from cancer and their families.
 
Through individual and group sessions, the students providing holistic support and recovery for children and their families from remote areas of India. Techniques have thus far included improvisation, the making of instruments together out of household/inexpensive items, song writing, song sharing, music and movement, and a ukeule group for fathers and children, as well as the usage of music for relaxation/pain management.
 
Collaboration with local staff at the hospital is an integral part of building a sustainable project and continuous engaging in skills sharing is promoting a learning exchange between the students, families, staff and their support-network at St Jude ChildCare Centres.

Welcome Luke Holmes: Mewsic's First Permanent Music Therapist!

"I am extremely excited in joining the Mewsic Therapy in Hospitals Program and hope to further music therapy application, publicity, knowledge and research within India and the world. I hope to explore the role in which traditional and contemporary Indian music can play within music therapy, and look forward to experiencing India’s rich and diverse cultures first-hand."

Thanks to a partnership with the Rotary Club of Mumbai Nariman Point, we will be kicking off with Mewsic's first permanent music therapist, Luke Holmes, by the start of the New Year!

Luke is an experienced and passionate Australian music therapist and educator with a keen interest in the application of music therapy interventions for children. He holds a Bachelor of Music / Bachelor of Teaching from the University of New England, a Masters in Music Therapy from the University of Queensland, and is due to complete a Master’s in Education Studies as well as a Diploma in Cognitive and Developmental Psychology from the University of Queensland in early 2014. 

Luke has experience working in community, health, and both main stream and special education settings. He has been the conductor for the University of New England’s Earle Page choir, and is a Neurological Music Therapy Fellow with the R.F Unkefer Academy for Neurological Music Therapy at Colorado State University (USA).  

Veialu Aila-Unsworth: Mewsic Filmographer

 

When I first came to Mumbai I thought it was strange that everyone always ate raw onions.  Now, I happily gobble them up!  I've lived in Mumbai for 2.5 years but I originally hail from the land of Hobbits, New Zealand.  My name is Veialu Aila-Unsworth, but friends call me Lulu.  I started volunteering part-time for Mewsic in May 2013, working with the team to create films to inspire people to support the foundation, to document their activities, and to explain the life-changing work Mewsic does. 

I believe that film can really help to open people's eyes and hearts to a good cause, although the challenge is trying not to become cliche or over-simplify a message.  Film also brings an intimacy and understanding to viewers who may be watching hundreds of miles away.  What's more, the kids get to see themselves on film and they love it!

I'm a freelance filmmaker by profession, in fact, the reason I first came to India was to write a movie script for a Bollywood director.  I have worked as a writer, TV commercial director, an award-winning short film director, TV promotions producer, copywriter and editor but my real passion is scriptwriting.  I'm very excited to be working with Mewsic, and I must say, it's inspiring to work with such a passionate and positive group of people.

Independence Day Celebrations with Dharavi Mewsic Dancers

Mumbai - It was an exciting Independence Day for 20 Dharavi Mewsic students who travelled across town to perform at a gala concert held in Goregaon West.  Around 150 excited parents, grandparents and kids squeezed into a local hall to commemorate India's Independence from British rule with a night of singing, dancing and cultural performances.  

Dressed in the colours of the Indian flag and proudly grinning from ear-to-ear, the Dharavi Mewsic students danced their hearts out, and at times, even lifted each other into the air like acrobats!  They were a huge hit.  Led by the ever-passionate Mewsic choreographer, Sachin, the students performed two sensational Bollywood dance numbers that had everyone in the room captivated.  The first dance was a spectacular high-energy piece; the second, told the story of Mother India.  

After weeks of practice, it was an unforgettable night for these Dharavi students who don't often get a chance to perform to such a large crowd. What a great opportunity for them to show Mumbai their hot dance moves!

Brett Lee Launches Signature T-Shirt on World Music Day

Brett Lee launched a signature t-shirt for his Foundation, Mewsic, today to mark the occasion of World Music Day, with proceeds from T-Shirt sales going to support Mewsic programs that heal, educate and empower disadvantaged children in India through music.

Available online and sporting Brett’s personal signature and the Mewsic Foundation mascot, a guitar-playing cat called ‘Binga’, the T-shirt is a collector’s item for Brett Lee and music fans across India. 

“June 21st has been celebrated across many countries as World Music Day since 1982.” said Brett. “Given my passion for music and the focus of my Foundation, I felt we should do something to mark the day, celebrate music and generate awareness for our work.” said Brett Lee.

Mewsic was launched in India in 2011 and uses music as a powerful tool to change the lives of children – pioneering music therapy in cancer hospitals and teaching disadvantaged children basic literacy and numeracy through musical programs such as the Mewsic Bus and the establishment of Mewsic Centres.

“It’s hard to explain what it means to me,” he says. “When I’m on the cricket field in front of 60,000 screaming Indians, it’s a great feeling; it’s so energetic. But when I’m in front of a crowd playing music, it’s totally different. It’s like I found the missing part of the jigsaw puzzle.”

It was Brett’s personal experience with music that led him to found Mewsic India foundation in 2009 and establish its inaugural Mewsic Centre. Mewsic now has now grown significantly with programs which span across five cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Jaipur, Lucknow and Hyderabad.

The signature T-Shirts are personally designed by Brett Lee himself and feature his signature as part of a limited edition collection to promote the power of music to change lives, and his Foundation, Mewsic.

“When I first set-up Mewsic, I was just hoping that music could provide some relief and hope for children living in very difficult circumstances. Even if Mewsic were to help one child, I would have slept well at night.” He said. “Knowing we are actually changing the lives of around 1500 children brings a real joy to my life.” says Brett.

T-shirts are available online here for less than $20 incl. shipping. All profits support Mewsic’s programs that use music to heal, educate and empower underprivileged children throughout India. Tweet to Brett and the Mewsic team to show your support at @BrettLee_58 and @BrettLeeMewsic or post on Mewsic’s Facebook page.

Suresh Venkat – Media Advisor

Mewsic is fortunate to have the guidance of Mr Suresh Venkat who is the media advisor and a valuable asset in guiding the strategic direction of the Foundation.

Suresh has an eclectic background having worked in a variety of roles across television, radio and design – most recently as a Senior Anchor and Executive Producer with CNBC-TV18 where his programming expertise oversaw a number of programs in the Enterprise technology, Innovation, Small Businesses, Art and Personal Technology spaces.

An avid music lover Venkat was formerly the Programming Director for Radio City 91 FM, Bangalore, India’s first private FM Radio Station and now one of India’s leading FM stations. He also worked as a producer with music television channel, Channel [v], giving him a rich experience in both media and the music segments here in India.

Suresh is an alumnus of the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, and was once a product designer for Titan Watches and The Bombay Store. Today he is working on his own book, writes for various publications and journals, freelances in design advisory and has his own art gallery. Alongside his responsibilities at Mewsic, Suresh is also the co-founder of an NGO which supports the education of over 200 children from slums in Bangalore, Indu Jagmohan Charitable Trust.

Mewsic is very grateful for the hard work and media/business acumen Suresh injects into the Foundation.

Lions Heart

Mewsic’s CEO, Emily Harrison was invited to speak on the ‘power of music’ at the recent Lions All India Schooling in Jaipur.

With over 250 Lion’s International District Governors from across the breadth and depth of India, the schooling provided a wonderful platform to showcase the work of the Foundation and appeal to District Governors to support bring the work of Music to the children of their districts.

“It was amazing to meet so many like-minded people in one location” said Emily, who spent 2 days interacting with the delegates and discussing the expansion of Mewsic into new cities and locations across India. “The enthusiasm of Lions for giving back to society is impressive.” She said.

“Lion’s leaders were excited by our work and about the prospect of working with Brett Lee, and are very open to the innovative concept of using music to heal, educate and empower – something that is a unique concept in many parts of the country.”

Lions International is the world’s largest service club organization with over 46,000 clubs and 1.35 million members across the world. Lions members do whatever is needed to help their local communities and are dedicated to social service in a volunteer capacity.

“We are excited about the prospect of joining hands with such an impressive organization that spans India and reaches the grassroots so effectively.” Emily said.

Sharing the Joy of Essel World

“As you express joy, you draw it out of those you meet, creating joyful people and joyful events. The greater the joy you express, the more joy you experience.”

Inspired by memories of her childhood, Preeti Gupta with her family and friends organized a trip to Mumbai’s theme park Essel World for the children attending classes at Mewsic Centres. For Preeti, Essel World was an experience that she thoroughly enjoyed as a child. Through this trip, she wanted to share the joy and fun with children who would otherwise not be able to afford it. 

“I am among the blessed ones to enjoy the fun at Essel World as and when I desire. However these kids will probably never be able to experience this fun considering the cost of tickets, food and logistics.”

On 21st May 2013, Preeti, her older brother, office staff, and Mewsic volunteers brought 22 children from the Govandi and Dharavi Mewsic Centres to Essel World. The day began with a breakfast of vada pav, fruity and chocolates, which provided plenty of energy for a journey full of singing, dancing, and playing the tabla aboard the bus that left from Dharavi. 

At the theme park, the children enjoyed the rides so much that they ate their lunch ina hurry to get back to the fun, especially the water rides, which were a particular hit among the kids. Finally, the day ended with the rain dance and the Essel World parade. 

“Essel World parade had many human cartoon characters, decorated carts, and people dancing in fancy attire. The kids were very fascinated by them too - they enjoyed shaking hands and clicking pictures with them.”

Looking back on the whole experience, Preeti found every moment truly enjoyable – be it having fun on the rides, cracking jokes, teasing or even just talking about their lives as they played with her as if she was just one of them. Although her friends and family were initially skeptical of the idea, all their fears were allayed – the children were well behaved, and the Mumbai heat was of no concern. She hopes to make the day an annual affair from now onwards.

Saeed: Dharavi's Determined Star Guitarist

Saeed Ajimullah Khan is the eldest of seven children, and one of the brightest talents identified through the Mewsic India program. He and his family live together in a one bedroom flat, far below the poverty line, struggling to get by on the 4000rp a month, which his father earns making brooms.

 

Saeed has been attending the Dharavi Mewsic Centre for over 6 months now and has displayed a unique talent for playing the guitar. A lanky lad, Saeed has shown great determination, dedication and discipline to his chosen instrument. He has completed each of his syllabuses on time and without fail, including; all major chords (open) and scale, as well as, mastering 5-6 songs in that time. Saeed has not missed a single class, winning the hearts of not only his teachers but also each and every visitor. 

Currently, Saeed is studying in 8th grade at the Woolen Mull Municipal School. However, there is an expectation that Saeed, as the eldest son, will soon need to start working to support his father and family.

While the Mewsic Centre cannot guarantee to keep Saeed in school, it does provide him with a wonderful opportunity and an alternative to develop his talents and fine-tune his guitar skills, which might help him to support himself and family in future.

But, it's not just about learning the guitar. During Saeed's time in the Mewsic Centre at Dharavi, he will be equipped with many transferrable life stills, including self-discipline and study skills, improved confidence, improved focus and concentration, enhanced teamwork and communication, skills which will help him to set up a comfortable living. 

Mewsic has certainly given a ray of hope and inspiration to Saeed and will continue to deliver such activities to more kids in future.

"With a young son of my own, I want to ensure that all children in India have the opportunity to experience the joy and power of music", Says Brett. And so, at the heart of the Mewsic India Foundation is the vision, the desire, to see every child experience and benefit from the joy and power of music. 

Devesh Gadkar - Scaling New Heights

For Devesh Gadkar, playing the keyboard is stepping into a different world. A world with infinite possibilities to explore and new heights to scale – one key at a time.

Devesh’s life outside this wonderful world of music is stark and grim. Coming from the “Chammar” – cobbler caste, he has been deprived of basic needs. His father works as a carpenter, earning Rs. 5000/- a month ($100/month), while his mother, a 5^th grade drop-out, is unemployed. They live in a 10x10 feet room or “kholi” in Dharavi – the biggest slum in India. Dharavi is an extremely tough area to grow up in, with children being subjected to violence, physical and emotional abuse and crime.

Mewsic Centre activities provided Devesh an escape and place to build something positive in his life. This talented young child loves his keyboard classes so much that he finished learning 5 songs and 12 major scales in only a matter of weeks.

Currently studying in the 6^th grade in Saint Kakkaya Municipal School, in Dharavi, Devesh displays a love for languages and art, which is popular throughout the school. His teachers say he works hard to master all his lessons and looks forward to learning new ones. He even helps the other students during the practice sessions.

Datta Shelar - An Upcoming Keyboard Sensation.

11-year-old Datta Sehlar was born and raised in Dharavi, India’s biggest slum area located in Mumbai. Not unlike any other boy his age, Datta regularly bunked school to search for fun and laughter down the slum’s narrow alleyways.

When Datta was introduced to the Dharavi Mewsic Centre he was very shy to engage in the learning and fun that Mewsic staff were encouraging through lessons in music, song and dance. Today, he is one of Dharavi’s brightest, most talented musicians and intends to run his own music teaching class one day!

Datta’s music teacher, Mr Pravin Patel, has witnessed the transformation, “Through his music lessons Datta is also learning many transferable life skills, including self-discipline, study skills, confidence, focus and concentration, enhanced teamwork and communication.”

Today, Datta fills much of his spare time with keyboard practice- even in the morning before leaving for school. There is nothing he loves more than to play the keyboard in presence of his parents and neighbours – who listen in awe of the small boy, his keyboard and his joy.

'Music to Heal' - Dance Therapy

The American Dance Therapy Association defines Dance/Movement Therapy as "the psychotherapeutic use of movement as a process which furthers the emotional, cognitive, physical and social integration of the individual." And after my empirical experience using Dance Therapy with deaf and mentally challenged children at Corp India’s Shalom Center in Dharavi, I can firmly say, Dance Therapy can heal pain. 

At the beginning of the session children showed considerable hesitation. As the therapy session progressed, there was a noticeable change in mood and comfort levels, with participants beginning to engage in the activities. Professional USA dance therapist Ms. Mayuri Bhandari facilitated the day, by leading a group-session that used techniques associated with Indian folk dance movements. 

Comprehensive research indicates extensive benefits from continuous physical movement, ranging from physical stamina as well as mental stability. Significant improvements in confidence was a notable benefit for the children at the Methodist Church Center, as suggested through gestures and postures indicating positive emotional expression.

Experiences so far confirm the strong potential that Dance Therapy holds as a new area in Mewsic’s broader ‘Music to Heal’ approach.

All Aboard the Mewsic Bus!

ALL ABOARD THE MEWSIC BUS…

The children of Azadpur slum in the far north west of Delhi are not regulars at school.  In fact they spend their days rag picking, begging, doing odd jobs and playing gully cricket. Opportunities for learning are few and far between, beyond the lessons of life that they receive on a daily basis.

But all that is about to change. Mewsic India Foundation in partnership with Deepalaya (Delhi’s largest Education NGO) will soon be rolling into town (literally) to bring Music and Education into the lives of these kids, in a fun and interactive way.

Welcome to the Mewsic Bus – a unique and innovative program with an aim to deliver non formal education (numeracy and literacy), through the medium of Music!  This mobile classroom is fully decked out with books, instruments and learning aids and stops in 6 different communities to deliver a daily dose of music and learning.

‘The bus is designed to act as a bridge – getting kids out of work and into school.’ Said Mr Matthew, CEO of Deepalaya.  ‘The non formal education gives them a taste of learning and provides them with the literacy and numeracy basics, the music engages and attracts them to come regularly to the bus. It is a perfect marriage.’ He said.

As part of the program a combination of classes are taught both inside and outside the bus. Musical games, songs and tuitions are provided on one hand, and more formal classes are provided in tandem – catering to different learning styles, different levels of learning and ensuring that children remain engaged in the program.  The long term objective is that each child is mainstreamed into school.

‘We’ve designed an innovative curriculum using a combination of teachers and musicians, to underpin the program and ensure that lessons meet curriculum guidelines, and are also relevant in terms of musicality, song choice and age group,’ said Emily Harrison, CEO Mewsic India Foundation.  ‘The music making ensures kids have fun whilst learning – in fact they don’t even know they are learning because they are enjoying themselves so much.  This is a giant leap away from the traditional rote learning system present in so many schools.’

The Mewsic Bus is a flagship initiative of Mewsic India Foundation, established by Australian Fast Bowler Brett Lee, and will hit the streets of Delhi in March 2013 and Jaipur in June 2013. 

Tanya's Reflections on Music Therapy at St. Jude's Child Care Centre

Tanya Silveira, a Masters student of Music Therapy from the University of Melbourne, recently interned with Mewsic to help design a new program, Music Therapy in Hospitals, which will soon be launched at St. Jude's Childcare Centres in Mumbai. Today, Tanya shares her reflections on the experience with using music as a tool to help cancer affected children.

  

Since I was about 15 years old, the idea of using music as a tool to help people has really fascinated me. About 6 months ago, I started looking into different Music Therapy techniques and practises across the World. I soon stumbled upon Mewsic - a Brett Lee Foundation, and started sending through some emails, asking if I could potentially volunteer. Because I am originally from India, Mewsic seemed like the perfect foundation to combine both my culture and my passion for Music Therapy.

As this was not my first visit to Mumbai, it felt like home from the moment I landed. The only thing that I was nervous about was the fact that I was still a student rather than an expert. My first day at Mewsic was fantastic – everyone was so welcoming and as excited as I was. I loved the communal aspect of the office environment as well as the warmth of each of my colleagues from day one.

My contribution to Mewsic was to assist with the development of an exciting new program 'Music Therapy in Hospitals'. Each week, I spent time working with the team to devise an Operations Manual about the program to come, devising meaningful tools of assessment as well as devising a schedule for Music Therapy sessions. Along with this, I would spend 3 half-days (per week) at St. Jude’s Child Care Centre conducting both group and individual Music Therapy sessions with the children. Children were based at this centre as a result of their diagnoses of cancer – This centre accommodated children (and their parents) while they were undergoing various treatments at the nearby hospitals. Using music, our sessions were centred on distraction from pain, nausea and anxiety, promotion of emotional expression, regaining of physical strength and expansion of the English vocabulary. Using instrument playing, drumming, song writing and singing, I was able to engage the children through music in order to achieve these goals as much as possible. 

Before I left for this experience, a close friend of mine had thought that the nature of this work would cause me to grow as a person – Looking back, I can’t believe how right she was. This opportunity has really shaped me. I have gained a greater sense of confidence in myself and in my ability. I have learnt to value my cultural heritage to an even greater extent. And I have realised just how powerful Music Therapy is to the physical and psychological states of these beautiful children. Even though time spent with the children at St. Jude's stirred up some strong emotions at times, these children showed me that there is more to life than worrying about the days to come – they made me realise that even though they have this life-threatening diagnosis, at the end of the day, they are still children and do things that all children do – whether it be trying to take my guitar, giving me big hugs and lots of kisses or even just laughing at my “funny” Australian accent!

I’m grateful for this experience with Mewsic and have returned even more excited to graduate from my Masters so that I can go back to Mumbai to work for a longer period of time.

 

Mewsic Centre Students at Sa Re Ga Ma Pa

Video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1nbKUmotTM

Children from Mewsic’s Dharavi, Govandi and Mankhurd Music Centres were thrilled to be invited as special guests for the highly acclaimed and popular TV show, SaReGaMaPa last month. As part of the live studio audience for the filming of the show, the Mewsic kids experienced first-hand the talent of the show’s contestants, musicians and judges, providing them with real inspiration to pursue their music lessons and practices.

The youth singing talent show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa is India's only credible music reality show that presents superlative young talent who have gone on to make a mark in the music industry. The mentors are music director duo, Sajid & Wajid, bassist- lead vocalist of the band Indian Ocean, Rahul Ram and music composer and singer, Shankar Mahadevan.

A performance by Shankar Mahadevan wowed the audience and special guests for the show were Marathi film musicians and composers ‘Ajay & Atul’ who also performed. In the opening minutes of the show, Host Javed Ali made reference to the children from Mewsic and the Foundation by Brett Lee – welcoming them on the show. He himself is a renowned singer and today is revered as one of the best playback singers in the Bollywood film industry.

Mewsic hopes to continue its relationship with Saregamapa and Zee TV and further promote the work of Mewsic and inspire its kids through association with the show.

Mewsic Advisor - Lesle Lewis

Mewsic is very privileged to have Lesle Lewis, a stalwart of the Indian Music scene, as one of its Advisory Board. “This is a great opportunity for me to give something back and play a role in introducing music into the lives of disadvantaged kids who can really benefit from the power of music.” He said.

Popularly known as ‘Lezz’ in the industry, Lesle Lewis is one of the very first Indian composers to have introduced the Indian audiences to rock and pop music. Lesle’s creative side comes as an inherited value from his father, P L Raj, noted choreographer from the film industry. He is renowned as half the duo ‘Colonial Cousins’ and has been instrumental in forging new genres of music in India, including fusion. He was also the recent Musical Director for India’s first ‘Coke Studio’.

As a child, Lesle was greatly influenced by the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton and with futher working on his musical capabilities bagged the opportunity of recording with renowned music directors such as Kalyanji Anandji, Laxmikant Pyarelal, R. D. Burman, Viju Shah, Vanraj Bhatia, Khayam, Anu Malik and Louis Banks.

By giving audiences a taste of varied music flavours, Lesle has been successful in keeping his originality intact with advertisement jingles, film music and other forms of modern music.

Lesle advises Mewsic on all things related to ‘music’ and plays a valuable role in connecting the Foundation to the music industry in India.