Bansuri Bliss Instructors
Are you looking to learn the classical music of northern India? If so, you are in the right place!
On this page, you will get to know our world-class music instructors.
Dr. Kerry Kriger
Bansuri Bliss Founder Dr. Kerry Kriger has been studying, performing, recording and teaching the bansuri and classical music of northern India since 1996. He has taught over 1,300 lessons, to bansuri students of all ages, from numerous countries.
Suraj Sonar
Suraj began his musical journey under the guidance of his parents and later studied with Guru Shri Pramod Harimandir and Guru Shri Chandrashekhar Gogi. He joined Bansuri Bliss in 2018, inspired by Dr. Kerry Kriger’s teaching. He has been taking private lessons with Dr. Kriger since 2019, and has been teaching Bansuri Bliss Members since 2021. He balances his role as a teacher at Veerappa Nisty Engineering College with his commitment to music, embodying the belief that “through musical notes, we reach God.”
Zaki Ahmad
Zaki Ahmad, a distinguished musician from the Kirana Gharana, has been immersed in Hindustani classical music since childhood, under the mentorship of his father, the late Ustad Naeem Akhtar, and Ustad Akhtar Nawaaz Ali Khan. Zaki has performed extensively both in India and internationally and is known for his work as a soloist, accompanist, and light classical vocalist. He currently offers private lessons to bansuri players and other musicians, helping them enhance their singing and understanding of North Indian classical music.
Pradip Khaladkar
Pradip Khaladkar began his journey with the bansuri at the age of 40, when he purchased his first flute from Steve Gorn, a student Gour Goswami. Initially guided by Steve, Pradip soon became a formal student of Pt. Arvind Gajendra-Gadkar in Pune, India, though his lessons were limited to his infrequent trips to India.
Pradip’s musical path took a fortunate turn in 1991 when Pt. Vijay Raghav Rao moved to Washington, DC. Pradip began making weekly treks from his home in Delaware to study under him. During this time, he also encountered Pt. Raghunath Seth, whose music left a profound impact on him. Pradip became a formal student of Pt. Seth and also received guidance from his son, Apurva Srivastav. Frequent business trips to India allowed Pradip to spend significant time learning from Pt. Seth until his passing in 2014.
After several years of self-guided practice, Pradip sought guidance once again in 2022 and began learning from Pt. Abhay Phagre, a student of Pt. Seth, in Bhopal.
Pradip comes from a musical family: his mother was a vocalist who often performed on All India Radio and other venues. Pradip initially learned the sitar during his college years but switched to the bansuri after being inspired by Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia. Pradip has performed in private concerts and often played second flute to Pt. Raghunath Seth. He has been teaching Bansuri Bliss students online since 2022, continuing to share his love for the bansuri and Hindustani classical music.
A chemical engineer by training, Pradip retired in 2016 from Dupont and later from an industry consortium in 2022.
Our Instructors Are Ready To Teach You Indian Classical Music!
Private Lessons
Learn from Bansuri Bliss Instructors through private lessons. Choose a time that fits your schedule, get lots of feedback on your playing, and improve rapidly.
Group Lessons
Learn from Bansuri Bliss Instructors through group lessons. Meet and get inspired by other flute players, with less financial commitment than is required for private lessons.