Galen Passen

Sitar

Book Galen Passen for a groupmuse
New York, NY
@galenpassen
6 Played at 6 groupmuses!

Galen Passen

Sitar

About

Originally from upstate NY, I moved to India at age 18 in order to pursue the study of hindustani music on the sitar in the traditional "guru-shishya parampara" (guru-disciple tradition). New Delhi wound up being my home for the next 8 years. I was lucky to connect with a wonderful maestro named Gopal Krishan Shah who guided me in those years and much of that time was intensively spent studying this instrument and music.
My artistic pursuits in India also introduced me to an eclectic community of artists from all over the world and ignited many other creative outlets such as experimental composition, and playing for contemporary dance. Here in NYC, I primarily perform and study hindustani music while also working as a visual artist and bringing the sitar to other collaborative formats. I am lucky to live in this vibrant city, where my passion for Indian Classical Music can blossom in an environment of high calibre artists defined by tradition, collaboration, and experimentation.

Music

As the groupmuse platform was originally designed for western classical traditions, "repertoire" has a slightly different context for Indian classical music, namely because our music is improvisational. The compositions we do use, while deeply significant, are catalysts for said improvisations.
That being said, the maestros whose compositions and playing styles I play and reference are primarily Imdad Khan, Faiyaz Khan, Bade Gulam Ali Khan, Vilayat Khan, and Budhaditya Mukherjee.

Videos

Audio

Raga Bihag

Ensemble profiles

Upcoming groupmuses

Programs

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