+91 98213 98901 info@wmea.in
The Team
The Association initially started at New Delhi in 2015 as a Conference for Western Music Teachers initiated by Dr. Natalie Sarrazin (Executive Director – WMEA), PhD in Ethnomusicology, who is an Associate professor at The College at Brockport, New York, USA. She, along with Mrs. Anjli Mata (President – WMEA), Mr. Ritesh Khokhar (Vice-President – WMEA) and Mrs. Poonam Burman (Secretary – WMEA), organized the conference for 2 consecutive years. This forum led to the formation of WMEA which is now supported by many eminent personalities from across the country who hold important posts in various fields such as Law, Music Business, Accountancy to name a few.
The WMEA Team
Natalie Sarrazin
Executive Director
Natalie is an Associate Professor at The College at Brockport, and Music Studies Coordinator. Dr. Sarrazin holds a Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a Masters degree in Music Education from Peabody Conservatory at Johns Hopkins University. She teaches class piano, ethnomusicology, and music education courses in the Department of Theatre and Music Studies and Arts for Children programs at The College at Brockport. Natalie is the author of numerous books and articles on the film music of India and on Music Education.
Ritesh Khokhar
President
Ritesh is one of the most promising pianist and music educators to hail from the capital city of New Delhi in recent years. He is the Chief Executive of Bridge Music Academy, Brand Ambassador for Roland, Country Director for Rockschool London (RSL), Senior Music Consultant with Music Basti (an NGO working with children at risk through music).
Ritesh founded one of the first private western music schools in New Delhi/NCR in 2002 and went on to establish Bridge Music Academy in 2009. His 5 years of research into the Hungarian music education system enabled him to author the first series of music textbooks for public schools in India titled "Bridge to Music". Apart from being much in demand as a senior music educator.
Anjli Mata
Immediate Past-President
Anjli is the Area Coordinator (North India) and Academic Head for Trinity College London in India. She is a Western Classical music educationist specializing in Piano. She has been teaching music for over 40 years and was instrumental in establishing the Theme Music Institute, of which she was the Principal for 15 years.
Her main focus since 2013 has been developing an Academic Support program and team for Music & Drama teachers in India. She completed her music education in Kolkata and holds two diplomas, ATCL and LTCL from Trinity College London. She was appointed as the representative for Trinity College London in New Delhi centre in 1999. In December 2013 Trinity College London conferred an Hon TCL degree (honorary membership of Trinity College London) in recognition of her work.
Roopika Bhatia
Secretary
Roopika is a young pianist, teacher and owner at the Trill Piano Studio in Noida and has been teaching Western Classical music since about 4 years. Her love for music started as early as when she was 5 years old . And growing up she always had music in her life, learning the Hindustani Classical Music, being part of the school choir throughout, playing the keyboard and finally finding her love in piano. She is now preparing for her ATCL diploma. Her passion for music and teaching drove her to leave a successful corporate career and change her profession completely. She loves to teach young children and make their learning experience a joyful and memorable one! She understands the importance of music and hopes to enhance the music education system in India!
About WMEA India
The Western Music Education Association (WMEA) is a non-profit company formed to support music education across India. The mission of the Association is to positively affect music learning in India by providing institutional guidance and quality professional development for music teachers.
