Team S4A

About S4A Team S4A Out Reach Why Sangeet 4 All

Saskia Rao-de Haas

Co-founder and Director

Saskia Rao-de Haas is a brilliant cellist and composer from the Netherlands who is based in India. She has enriched North Indian classical music with her unique instrument, the Indian cello, and created a distinctive playing style with it. She studied with Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia as well as at top institutes in the West, CODARTS and University of Amsterdam. In addition to her prestigious status in India, Saskia is an accomplished Western classical cellist. In 2011, Saskia was awarded the ‘Pandit Jasraj - Rotary Club of Hyderabad Award’ for Cross-Cultural Understanding by the Maestro himself at a scintillating ceremony in Hyderabad.

Pandit Shubhendra Rao

Co-founder and Director

Composer and performer, Pandit Shubhendra Rao is ranked amongst the key soloists of India who lived with his guru, Pandit Ravi Shankar in the Guru-Shishya Parampara for over 10 years, assisting him in concerts and compositions all over the world. He is an unmatched master at his instrument whose playing reminds the listener of the masters of yore transformed into today’s era. Shubhendra is a musical ambassador by his natural ability to bridge cultures across the world. In November 2007, he was awarded the “Youth Icon for Classical Music” by India’s popular Zee Television Network.

Manasi Thapa

Head - Operations & Logistics

Manasi has been working with the Shubhendra and Saskia Rao foundation for the last two years. She was the first person to join the team at S4A. She blends her love for music with her people managing skills and makes sure everything gets done. She is the backbone of S4A - from the smallest pin to managing big events, she is the go-to person in S4A.

Pallavi Baberwal

S4A Educator

She is a Music educator under Shubhendra and Saskia Rao foundation and a clinical Music Therapist. Singing is her passion. She has always believed in the idea of contributing towards society through her music, Hence, made it her mission.

Shekar Gee

S4A Facilitator

Shekar is primarily a disciple of Pandit Vyas Murti Katti. Presently he is guided by Pandit Shubendra Rao and Nachiyar Kovil Talmani Shir Vetri Boopathy . Shekar also received his Sangeet Visharad in Harmonium from Gandarva Maha Vidyalaya Mandal and a B.A. Hons.degree in Music from Khairagarh University, Chattisgarh. He has taught at the Gandharva Maha Vidyalaya and courses at Delhi University. He is an All India Radio grade artist. He was recently invited to perform at the Trafo House of Contemporary Arts, Budapest, Hungary. He has performed with numerous great artists like Ustad Akram Khan Saheb (tabla maestro), Vidushi Ashwini Bhide, Pandit Gokulotsav Maharaj, Vidushi Shano Khurana, Pandit Harish Tiwari, Pandit Deepak Chaterjee,shri Ojesh pratap singh, Ritesh- Rajnish Mishra Bandhu and others. He also performs for Spic Macay and other prestigious concerts all over India.