Teachers
Siddharth
Founder & Academic Head
Teaching Qualifications: Associate of Trinity College London (ATCL) Piano • Grade 8 Rock & Pop Guitar (TCL)
Siddharth has close to 20 years of experience in music and the founder of Encore Piano Academy. His mission is to unlock the hidden gems of Western classical music, sharing its enriching essence with all who seek to embrace its value in their lives.
His musical odyssey began with the strumming of a guitar, fuelled by a passion for rock and metal music. During his college days, Siddharth's musical journey flourished as he lent his talents to the college band, triumphing in numerous competitions both within and beyond campus walls. As time unfolded, his sonic horizons expanded, transitioning from rock to the intricate realms of metal and ultimately finding solace in the timeless elegance of Western classical piano.
After his MBA, he worked in the corporate sector for eight years while simultaneously learning music and attaining formal qualifications in the subject including the Associate Diploma from Trinity College London in Piano and Grade 8 in Rock & Pop Guitar. With Encore, his vision crystallises into a sanctuary for aspiring musicians, offering a meticulously crafted curriculum and a nurturing environment designed to guide each student along their unique musical journey which he feels is lacking in India.
Beyond his roles in academia, Siddharth's creative spirit thrives in the realm of composition, where he blends contemporary flair with classical depth, drawing inspiration from the likes of Béla Bartók, Igor Stravinsky, Frédéric Chopin, and Dmitri Shostakovich. His compositions, a fusion of classical, jazz, and folk elements, serve as a testament to his boundless artistic vision.
Continuously evolving, Siddharth is currently pursuing the Licentiate Diploma in Piano and scaling new heights with his exploration in music composition and production, epitomising his unwavering commitment to musical excellence and innovation.
Riaz
Lead Piano Faculty
Teaching Qualifications: Grade 8 Piano (TCL)
Riaz is an accredited and highly motivating music teacher who has over the span of a decade guided numerous students across the globe and of all age groups from 6 to 60+. As a creative composer, songwriter and music producer, he records original songs, instrumental music and commercial jingles at his studio. He also has been associated with Yamaha Music India as a trainer and demonstrator for their digital piano category.
Sonal
Piano Faculty
Teaching Qualifications: Grade 8 Piano (TCL)
Sonal is a classically trained pianist with over a decade of experience in performance and music education. An alumna of Delhi University and Trinity College London, she specialises in solo piano and music theory, and is currently pursuing the ATCL Recital in Classical Piano.
Since 2009, she has been a held senior positions in leading music schools of Delhi, teaching and mentoring hundreds of students. Her performance career includes appearances across India and abroad – at venues like The Oberoi, The Lodhi, and the Echo Summer Academy in Budapest. She has collaborated with leading institutions such as the British School, Vasant Valley, and the American Embassy School, and regularly accompanies vocalists and instrumentalists.
Notable performances include appearances for YES Bank’s Mr. Rana Kapoor, fashion designer Manish Malhotra, and as lead pianist at the Hindustan Times Delhi’s Most Stylish Awards and SURKHAAB, a Dubai-based couture event.
Joel
Piano Faculty
Teaching Qualifications: Grade 8 Piano (TCL)
Teaching music is Joel’s passion. He delights in guiding students on their musical journeys, helping them uncover their talents. Immersed in music from a young age, he has refined his skills under experienced mentors in classical and contemporary music. With a deep appreciation for diverse musical styles, he advocates for a holistic approach to education, encouraging exploration across genres. He is currently working towards his diploma while also delving in new musical styles, believing that ongoing learning is essential for both as a musician and teacher.
Sreyanshi
Piano Faculty
Teaching Qualifications: Grade 8 Piano (ABRSM) • Grade 5 Music Theory (ABRSM)
Born in a family with deeply rooted Hindustani Classical traditions, her introduction to the piano began at the age of 8, largely due to the push from her parents who were both Western classical pianists. What started as an extra curricular activity slowly became the focal point in Sreyanshi’s career when she gave up her corporate job after five years and took to teaching music full time. Having passed ABRSM Grade 8 as a young school student in 2001, Sreyanshi started teaching piano from 2006 while still in college. With over 18 years of piano teaching experience, Sreyanshi is currently engaged as a piano and vocal music teacher at various reputed institutions in the musically rich city of Kolkata.
Meenal
Piano Faculty
Teaching Qualifications: Grade 7 Piano (TCL) • Grade 8 Piano [exp. 2026]
Meenal’s earliest connection with music has always been through singing, a passion she has nurtured since childhood. Trained in both Hindustani and Western vocals, she later found a profound connection with the piano and is now a classically trained pianist.
Her journey with the instrument began after earning a Foundation degree in Music from KM Conservatory, Chennai, where she felt inspired to take up piano performance as her major after witnessing a heartfelt performance by one of her professors. She also holds a Master’s degree in Psychology, which deepens her ability to interpret, express, and evoke the emotional landscapes within music.
Over the past 1.5 years, she has guided young musicians as a dedicated piano teacher, while continuing to earn distinctions in her own studies. A former member of a professional choir; She has also performed at an international summer concert in Budapest, Hungary.
Sriram
Piano Faculty
Teaching Qualifications: Licentiate in Music Theory (LMusTCL) • Associate of Trinity College London Piano(ATCL)
Being a dedicated music theorist and pianist, Sriram shares a bond with Western art music, which is something beyond emotional; one that is rather philosophical. With a primary focus on building repertoire with underexplored works of well-known composers, he is also deeply invested in understanding form theory and learning counterpoint, fugue writing & orchestration. He aims to share his knowledge of the piano literature through creative pedagogical approaches.
Goutham
Piano Faculty
Teaching Qualifications: Grade 8 Piano (TCL) [exp. 2025] • Grade 5 Music Theory (TCL)
Teaching is where Goutham’s heart truly resides; he thrives on captivating students and igniting inspiration within them. While he possesses a strong foundation in Western Classical music, he has also comes experience in the music industry. He has contributed as an assistant music composer for Tamil and Telugu films, including the recent Tamil film “FIR”. His passion lies in folk music, particularly within the Tamil folk genre.
TCL = Trinity College London
ABRSM = Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music