George was co-founder, musical co-ordinator and promoter of KIRANA ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS, established by Chandrakant back in the mid 70's in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

 

George was a very active member of KIRANA ORCHESTRA ... introducing and inspiring a number of Canadian and American Jazz musician to participate in the Kirana Orchestra (i.e.. Bronda Morie, Ian Sadler, Wayne Feschuk, Ma Prem Makur, Bill Emes, Kim Glanvelle ... and others).

 

The purpose of the academy was to fuse the best of Eastern and Western musical traditions. "The Eastern forms of music resonate in a different place than the ear." explains Mr. Koller. "The western music has emphasized bringing everything out front with large ensembles like orchestras or rock bands. The Kirana balanced those two elements by creating large productions with an intimate feeling."

 

The academy opened up new vistas for every performer involved, and new fusion which had never been done before blossomed with the emphasis on freshness.

George feels one of the most important things Chandra has taught him is the meaning of kirana - an attitude of devotion to one's art, whatever that may be.

 

Since then - "George has accumulated hundreds of performing and recording credits in his 26 year musical career. The Shuffle Demons, Phil Woods, Peter Gabriel, Loreena McKennitt, Bruce Cockburn, Holly Cole and Ian Tyson to name a few.

Mostly recognized as a bass player, George plays a variety of instruments, many featured on his award winning solo CD Music for Plants, Animals, and Humans. 

 

He has been touring with Holly Cole for the last few years, producing new artists (Julie Michels, Ani Aubin, Toronto TABLA Ensemble) composing new music (guitar, voice chants), and is featured on many current recordings - most recently his playing of Indian string instruments (esraj, sitar, sarode) is featured in the movie - Such A Long Journey." - www.livetourartists.com

George Koller's Website: www.myspace.com/georgekoller

Shree Rani Madalsa performs and teaches Chandrakant compositions, and many of the traditonal pieces of the Kirana Gharana. She is president of the KIRANA MUSIC ACADAMY OF CANADA - Ottawa Location, founded by Chandrakant in Fall 2006.

Madasla began her Indian Classical training in 1984, with four intensive years of daily music lessons in Edmonton, Alberta, immersed in the Kirana Gharana - gurukul system.

Over a total of forty - traditional Indian Classical pieces, and compositions by Chandrakant Kapileshwari  have been documented in Hindi Script, with English transliterations and translations, personally handed down by word of mouth, note for note, and explicitly notated by Shree Rani. This detailed notation was done specifically for ease of assimilation, and for the benifit of future generations to come. She accompanied Chandrakant for many a concert and television broadcasting, performing tanpoora and often presenting the English meanings of the beautiful Hindi/Urdu poetic songs. 

Madalsa was awarded a Canada Council grant to continue studing and touring with Chandrakant in India during 1987, performing with full media coverage. She had the honor of personally meeting many accomplished Indian musicians, such as:  Bhimsen Joshi, Kishori Amonkar, Pankaj Udhas, Anup Jalota, Prabha Atri, Shobha Gurtu, and Meena Phatarpekar (grandaughter of Saraswati Rani, who was the daughter of Abdul Karim Khan).

Besides having the opportunity to study and perform in India, She has published an accompanying illustrated, instructional songbook called - 'Shyam Sarita Bhajans' - Devotional Songs - Poetry of renowned sage and poet Swami Shyam, set to Indian raga's by Chandrakant Kapileshwari. Teaching CD's/Songbooks of these pieces are available to the public.

Shree Rani Madalsa has been gifted with a melodious, and powerful voice, enhanced by intensive training, a zeal for learning, and the desire to share this music. 

At present Madalsa teaches East Indian Appreciation and Participation Courses in Ottawa, Canada, for the Ottawa Carleton District School Board - Continuing Education Program, and is going further with online teaching. For more info you can visit madalsa's website at: www.madalsa.com