Nxg

83 MPH’s Harshit Misra is going places, literally. This bassist — armed with an admission to the prestigious Musicians Institute, Los Angeles — is set to take on four other competitors for the Full Ride Scholarship with a performance at the college next week. After jumpung over hundreds of applicants — all of whom had to submit a video of their performance along with an application form — he was shortlisted for the semis (online voting) and subsequently the final on August 10 in LA. “This is a huge experience. It has still not sunk in that I’ll be playing in LA in front of the entire college along with the backing of a band of professional local musicians,” says an excited Harshit. “I will be playing two cover songs: anything from new metal to funk jazz; I haven’t zeroed in on the songs yet.” Harshit will start college next April at MI for the Associate Art Degree in Bass Performance.

Every year only one person is chosen for the scholarship and this time there are TWO finalists from India. Keyboardist Natasha Pinto from Chennai is the other one eying the prestigious honour. “I am very excited about this opportunity,” says Natasha, who’ll be playing a selection of jazz songs for the finals. Here’s to these young musicians who are propping India firmly in the world music stage!

MADHUMITHA SRINIVASAN

Popularity: 4% [?]