2025: 

Annual Concert 2025- The Sound of Progress: 1st-2nd March

Studio Meraki hosted its annual concert at Mazda Hall, featuring over 55 performers, including both students and staff. The concert was a vibrant showcase of talent, with students performing solos, duets, and trios, each presenting one classical piece and one popular piece- highlighting their versatility and growth as musicians.

The concert also celebrated the idea of genre fusion, as shared in the opening speech: “When classical meets contemporary, and Western blends with Indian, something magical happens. Exploring different genres challenges us, expands our musical vocabulary, and encourages collaboration- making music more inclusive, expressive, and human.”

The grand finale was a powerful fusion performance featuring music inspired by Coke Studio and Bandish Bandits. With Indian classical vocals, guitar, and piano, the piece “Garaj Garaj” brought the audience to its feet, blending tradition with innovation in a soul-stirring conclusion.

The show was houseful on both days, a testament to the enthusiasm and support of the Meraki community. As a token of appreciation, all participating students received personalised mugs from Studio Meraki, commemorating their performance and participation in this unforgettable celebration of music.

Watch the trailers for the recitals here: 

Watch the full recital here:

Day 1: https://youtu.be/dwRrdFRtKbU

Day 2: https://youtu.be/gy-m4EVVEts

Sean Noel wins Con Brio 2025: July 2025

18-year-old pianist and composer Sean Noel, a long-time student of Studio Meraki, has won the 15th Con Brio National Piano Competition 2025, held at the NCPA, Mumbai. Presented by the Furtados Con Brio Foundation in collaboration with the NCPA, Con Brio is India’s most prestigious piano festival and competition.

Sean was chosen as one of seven semi-finalists from across India, advanced to the final four, and went on to win the national title. Having studied under the guidance of Ms. Sonam Lodhi since the age of five, Sean has grown into a musician of depth and originality. He earned a Distinction in Grade 8 Piano from Trinity College London, performing one of his own original compositions for the exam—reflecting both his creativity and technical mastery.

This win is especially meaningful for Studio Meraki as Sonam herself was the Con Brio winner in 2017, and to now see her student achieve the same honour is a proud moment for both teacher and studio. Sean’s achievement is a testament to years of dedication, his love for composing, and the support of his musical family, as well as the nurturing environment of Studio Meraki.

Sean is currently pursuing his ATCL Piano Diploma from Trinity College London and has also begun teaching at Studio Meraki, where he hopes to inspire younger students while continuing to grow as a performer and composer.

Harmony from Home Online Recital: 31-31st August

This August, Studio Meraki hosted a unique series of online recitals titled Harmony from Home. Over 55 performers from different cities came together to share their music, each playing from their own instruments and their own spaces.

The idea behind the series was not only to create a platform for performance but also to equip students with essential skills for today’s world- presenting music online, adjusting audio/video settings, and becoming comfortable performing in virtual formats. These are valuable tools for the next generation of musicians, especially since open and performances are increasingly offered online.

Harmony from Home truly reminded us that music connects us all, no matter the distance.

Watch the recital videos here:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLO1-k7Ve2CO1TjXhsboU5UID_IwVzYRkI&si=qB6jNZdc3GiBGCyU

Trinity Day 2025: 18th August, 2025

On 18th August, Studio Meraki teachers and students were part of Trinity Day, a gathering of music and speech & drama educators from Pune, hosted by the Trinity College London India team. The event was led by Trinity’s Head, Academic Head, and senior management, and focused on celebrating and strengthening the work of teachers across the country.

Our student Sean Noel was invited to perform as the winner of the Con Brio National Piano Competition. He showcased his own original composition, the same piece he had performed for his Grade 8 exam, where he secured a Distinction. His performance was a wonderful example of how Trinity encourages creativity and originality in young musicians.

Adding to the celebration, Sonam Lodhi accompanied a string ensemble for the event. Our teachers Sonam Lodhi, Rohan Sigamany, and Ajey Deshpande were also felicitated by Trinity College London for their more than a decade of service to the music community.

It was a day of inspiration, recognition, and pride for Studio Meraki.

Exam Results: 2025

Name	Examination	Marks
Yug Niyogi	Grade 4 Digital	97	Distinction
Rianna Shah	Grade 4 Digital	94	Distinction
Shauna Bhog	Grade 3 Digital	89	Distinction
Samyra Bilimoria	Grade 2 Digital	76	Merit
Shanaya Agarwal	Grade 1 Digital	96	Distinction
Alyssa Fernandes	Grade 1 Digital	95	Distinction
Leanna Munigety	Grade 1 Offline	91	Distinction
Anika Khanna	Grade 1 Digital	91	Distinction
Aaria Pundole	Grade 1 Digital	87	Distinction
Isabel Mary Joseph	Grade Initial Digital	98	Distinction
Yutika Poredi	Grade Initial Digital	96	Distinction
Sudiksha Sinha	Grade Initial Digital	94	Distinction
ira Vaze	Grade Initial Digital	93	Distinction
Kiyaan Bilimoria	Grade Initial Digital	79	Merit

MTB (Music Teachers’ Board) SkillForge for Piano Teachers and masterclass with Dr. Karl Lutchmayer: 4th July

On 4th July 2025, members of our Studio Meraki staff had the opportunity to learn from Dr. Karl Lutchmayer, internationally renowned pianist, Steinway artist, and educator, at two inspiring sessions hosted by Gunjarav School of Music, Pune.

The first, MTB SkillForge for Piano Teachers, offered practical teaching strategies and fresh perspectives for piano educators. It was attended by Ajey Deshpande, Nidhi Puri, Mohak Shamani, and Vishwesh Majali.

The second was a Student Masterclass for advanced pianists (Grade 5 and above), which focused on elevating performance skills and musical interpretation. Sonam Lodhi attended, with Mohak Shamani representing Studio Meraki as a performer.

Both sessions were invaluable opportunities for growth, connecting our teachers and students to global standards of music education and performance.

Masterclass with Dhruva Seshadri: July- August 2025

In July–August 2025, Studio Meraki hosted a piano masterclass with the brilliant young pianist Dhruva Seshadri. Our students — Sean Noel, Mohak Shamani, Nidhi Puri, and Chonyo Ningshen — had the opportunity to perform and receive guidance from Dhruva in an inspiring session held right here at the Studio. The workshop gave participants fresh perspectives on technique, interpretation, and expression, making it a truly enriching learning experience. The Masterclass was also attended by Alina Mirchandani and Michelle Rogers from the staff. 

About Dhruva Seshadri:

Dhruva Seshadri began his musical journey with Carnatic violin at the age of 8 and soon after discovered his passion for the piano. He has since performed across India, including solo recitals in Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Mumbai, and was awarded third place at the inaugural Con Brio All India Piano Competition in 2010. A highly qualified performer, he holds FTCL, LTCL, LRSM, and DipABRSM diplomas in piano performance, and has trained under renowned pianists such as Paul Stewart, Sheila Arnold, and Delia Varga. Dhruva has collaborated with leading musicians and choirs across the country and has also composed music for short films and stage musicals. Having left his career in the Indian Revenue Service, he is now fully dedicated to pursuing music professionally.