Other roles include:
• Director and Music Teacher at the RHYTHM SCHOOL OF INDIAN MUSIC (since March 2009). He has enrolled over 200 students from different communities and taught various genres of Indian Music, including Classical, Folk, and Pop.
​• Band Leader for the Indian fusion band TAKADIMI (since January 2016).
​• Coordinator of the NAAD CHARITABLE TRUST in Auckland.
​• He was the First Itinerant Music teacher for Indian Music in the country at Botany Downs Secondary College (Feb 2012 - Jan 2017).
Contact Info:
(+64​) 021595941
39 East Tamaki Rd Suite A (Naad Community Centre
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BIOGRAPHY
Manjit Singh is a distinguished tabla performer, Hindustani classical singer, and educator specializing in Indian classical music, based in New Zealand. Since he founded Rhythm School of Indian Music in Auckland, in 2010, he is Recognized for his role as an ambassador of Indian creative arts, and is deeply committed to fostering cross-cultural musical dialogues and pioneering pathways for the academic study of Indian music at the tertiary level. Through his diverse work, he endeavors to enrich New Zealand's musical landscape by bridging cultural divides and celebrating the rich heritage of Indian music. His efforts have successfully facilitated the exploration of Indian musical traditions within diverse cultural contexts.
Professional Roles & Educational Leadership
Mr. Singh possesses extensive experience in education, excelling in curriculum alignment and interactive teaching. He currently holds the position of Professional Teaching Fellow at the University of Auckland (since July 2020), where he designs course materials, delivers scheduled lessons, and coordinates with other staff members.
A significant focus of his academic work involves creating pathways to incorporate Indian musical components for mainstream music education in New Zealand tertiary studies. He is adept at fostering multicultural sensitivity and enhancing student engagement through project-based learning.
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Performance and Composition Highlights
Manjit Singh’s performance career spans over three decades, during which he has shared the stage with esteemed musicians from both India and New Zealand. He maintains a versatile performance style, utilizing his skills in composition, arranging music, and improvisation.
Key performance and collaborative achievements include:
• Composed music for the opening ceremony of the 2015 ICC World Cup. (He also composed and played Music for the opening ceremony of ICC World Cup 2014).
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Training and Education
Mr. Singh received rigorous training under the ancient discipleship tradition of Indian music. He studied under renowned maestros, including Ustad Kulwinder Singh of Punjab and Ustad Fazal Qureshi of the Mumbai.
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His formal qualifications include:
• Master's degree in Music Education (MMUS in Musicology) from the University of Auckland (Jan 2022).
• Postgraduate Diploma in Indo-Jazz collaborations from the University of Auckland (Jan 2019).
• Bachelor of Music (BMUS in Musicology) from the University of Auckland (Jan 2016).
• Formal qualifications (BA) in Hindustani classical vocal music and tabla from India, including a Sangeet Vishard Degree in Tabla (Jan 2005).
• Discipleship training in Punjab Gharana Traditional Tabla Learning (Jan 2008) and Traditional Tabla Playing in Indian Classical Music under Ustad Fazal Qureshi (2025—future date provided in the source).
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• Collaborated with Nathan Haines on the Silver Scroll Awards-nominated re-arrangement of the song 'Olympic Girls' in 2019.​
• Contributed to Tom Scott's critically acclaimed album Avantdale Bowling Club ('Years Gone by', Album of the Year 2019) and performed live for the New Zealand Music Awards 2019.
• Collaborated on projects by composer Claire Cowan and the Opera production by Michael Williams.
• Accompanied numerous internationally acclaimed Indian Classical musicians in India and New Zealand, including Ustad Tari Khan, Ustad Fazal Qureshi, Dilshad Khan and Pt. Purbayan Chatterjee.
• Performed tabla with various bands for dignitaries such as the Prime Minister of New Zealand, the President of India, and the Mayor of Auckland.
• He is the bandleader for TAKADIMI and the co-leader of the Indian fusion band Raagtime, which plays covers of famous Indian folk, Bollywood, Sufi, and jazz numbers.
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