The SAM Circuit Bengaluru: Kirtana Krishna talks jazz, education and building music careers

The SAM Circuit is different from a regular music event because it is not just a standalone concert. It is a series of events happening across the country in collaboration with our institute, faculty members and especially our alumni. This time, we really wanted to involve our alumni and create events that highlight their strengths, while also supporting them as artistes and educators.

The music education landscape has changed a lot over the years. When we started in 2010, there were only one or two schools in India offering contemporary music education at an international level with faculty from abroad. Back then, students often had to go overseas to receive that kind of training. Today, there are many more options and a lot of aspirants feel they can learn entirely through YouTube or short-term courses. While those resources are useful, we wanted to talk about why structured music education is still relevant and important. Going through proper training helps musicians grow in a much deeper and more sustainable way

Audiences can definitely expect a wonderful performance by Diptangshu Bhowmik, who is our piano faculty for the summer and myself. We will be presenting a duo set together. Apart from the performance, we are also hosting a panel discussion with people who have been teaching in Bengaluru’s music scene for many years. This includes Aman Mahajan, Samhita Nagaraj from The Blue Room and Natallia Kapylova from Natallia Piano Studio. The discussion will focus on why music education matters and what kind of career opportunities exist after studying music. One of the most common questions parents ask is whether their children can actually build a career in music, so we want to address those concerns honestly.

One major misconception is that talent alone is enough. Talent is only the first step. Learning how to develop that talent and give it direction and purpose is what music education really helps with. Another misconception is that musicians cannot make a stable living. The idea of the ‘broke musician’ has been romanticised for years. While many artistes have struggled before succeeding, it is absolutely possible today to sustain yourself and build a meaningful career in music.

Absolutely! Social media is now an important part of being an artiste. But I also think it is something people need to approach carefully. Today, many musicians only learn small snippets of songs for shortform content instead of studying complete pieces. While that may help with creating content online, it does not necessarily build the skills needed to perform with a band or orchestra. Real musicianship requires attention, collaboration and deeper understanding and sometimes social media can take away from that focus.

The interesting thing about being a jazz musician is that there is a lot of individual preparation involved. Diptangshu and I already know the material we want to perform, but a large part of jazz is improvisation and responding to the moment. When we finally come together, we work out the finer details like intros and exits, but the performance itself evolves organically. That spontaneity is an important part of jazz.

If you dream of becoming a musician, then you are already halfway there. I would encourage people attending the event to come with an open mind and ask questions. It is definitely possible to build a career as a musician in India today. The important thing is to stay curious, remain committed to learning and be willing to grow through the process.