News & Events
21 Feb 2025 07:30 PM
Tlale Makhene is one of the most sought-after percussionists in the South African jazz scene. Featuring an exciting combo of percussion, guitar, bass, and electronics, his quartet represents a unique fusion combining South African jazz, traditional tribal rhythms, trance, and neo-soul, that invariably gets audiences moving their feet.
The event is free and open to the public. REGISTER
Tlale Makhene Quartet Tlale Makhene: percussion, vocals Tshegofatso Teffo: guitar Sibusiso Sibanyoni: bass Ziyawakazitha: turntables, electronics Bio
Born in Soweto, Tlale Makhene is one of South Africa’s most sought-after percussionists. A versatile performer, studio musician, producer, composer, and pedagogue, Makhene draws his inspiration from traditional, world, and jazz music, and has earned himself a the title of “The Groove Master” among his musical compatriots. Makhene has performed extensively in South Africa and internationally, having collaborated with renowned groups and musicians such as Hugh Masekela, Johnny Clegg, Mirriam Makeba, Judith Sephuma, Letta Mbulu, Caiphus Semenya, Sibongile Khumalo, McCoy Mrubata, Stompie Mavi, Kalawa Production, Dan Selsick, Angelique Kidjo, Manu Dibango, Andy Narel, Paul Hanmer and Keiko Matsui. He also worked with multimedia visual artist William Kentridge in his highly acclaimed touring installation-performance Head and the Load. Makhene began drumming at the age of four after moving to Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), inspired by the drumbeats and dance rhythms played by his maternal grandmother, a traditional healer. He later returned to his birthplace Soweto and studied percussion full time at the FUNDA Center. His professional journey accelerated when he was scouted by the Danish percussion group Drums Across, leading to collaborations with Danish musicians such as John Sund, Yasser Pino, Rune Thorsteinsson, and Carsten D, among others. While in Denmark on a cultural exchange, he also performed with the Copenhagen Rhythmic Conservatory Big Band and conducted rhythmic workshops. Makhene’s first album as a bandleader, Ascension of the Enlightened, won the MTN South African Music Award in 2005 for Best Contemporary Jazz Album. He conceives of this work as a translation of intimate communications with his ancestors. His second release, Swazi Gold, is based on the music he grew up listening to in Eswatini, also a fundamental influence on his artistry. Tlale Makhene currently leads a new quartet featuring guitarist Tshegofatso Teffo, bassist Sibusiso Sibanyoni, and Ziyawakazitha on turntables and electronics. Defined by his love for music and conscious magic on the guitar, Tshegofatso Teffo is a versatile artist contributing to genres of afropop, hip hop, and gospel, among others. Based in Pretoria and highly active as a session guitarist, Tshego interlinks musics and cultures with work that crosses boundaries and genres. With energetic performances seen with such artists as Kwesta, Tlale Makhene, Sjava, Msaki and many more, Tshego is a well-recognized asset to the 21st century music world. South African-born Bass player and Producer. Sibusiso Sibanyoni is well known for his creative, versatile and deep-rooted bass style which stems from the various beautiful cultures of South Africa. Raised in a musically inclined family, he was interested in music at a very young age, and launched his solo career in 2017. Sibanyoni has had the pleasure of sharing the stage with the musical giants such as The Great late Ray Phiri, Sibongile Khumalo and, Oliver Mtukudzi. He has been a proud member of Miagi Orchestra, New Skool Sextet and has shared his talent on stages around the world with great artists such as Tlale Makhene, Anders Paulsson , Naak, Bokani Dyer, Muriel Marco , Ayanda, Ringo Madlingozi just to name a few. His musical genius and generosity on stage makes him a true musicians’ bass player. Ziyawakazitha is an internationally known producer, performing artist, genre creator, and mixing and mastering sound engineer. Active in the genres of hiphop, tech afro house, gospel and neo-hip soul, Ziyawakazitha hails from the Kingdom of Eswatini, where he is inspired by a variety of authentic, indigenous and rare musical sounds barely known outside of the country. His sound is thus characterized by a unique mixture of colors that he is thrilled to share with the world. He has produced three EPs under his own name, and his vibrant music and production skills have supported such artists as: Tlale Makhene, Tshego AMG, Jabu Hlongwane, Keke Phofoolo, Sands, BHoloja, Mucells, Karrayse Fotso, Darktonic,SloQa, Parcel, !Sooks , Tsepo Tsola, and many more. Read more
The event is free and open to the public. REGISTER
Tlale Makhene Quartet Tlale Makhene: percussion, vocals Tshegofatso Teffo: guitar Sibusiso Sibanyoni: bass Ziyawakazitha: turntables, electronics Bio
Born in Soweto, Tlale Makhene is one of South Africa’s most sought-after percussionists. A versatile performer, studio musician, producer, composer, and pedagogue, Makhene draws his inspiration from traditional, world, and jazz music, and has earned himself a the title of “The Groove Master” among his musical compatriots. Makhene has performed extensively in South Africa and internationally, having collaborated with renowned groups and musicians such as Hugh Masekela, Johnny Clegg, Mirriam Makeba, Judith Sephuma, Letta Mbulu, Caiphus Semenya, Sibongile Khumalo, McCoy Mrubata, Stompie Mavi, Kalawa Production, Dan Selsick, Angelique Kidjo, Manu Dibango, Andy Narel, Paul Hanmer and Keiko Matsui. He also worked with multimedia visual artist William Kentridge in his highly acclaimed touring installation-performance Head and the Load. Makhene began drumming at the age of four after moving to Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), inspired by the drumbeats and dance rhythms played by his maternal grandmother, a traditional healer. He later returned to his birthplace Soweto and studied percussion full time at the FUNDA Center. His professional journey accelerated when he was scouted by the Danish percussion group Drums Across, leading to collaborations with Danish musicians such as John Sund, Yasser Pino, Rune Thorsteinsson, and Carsten D, among others. While in Denmark on a cultural exchange, he also performed with the Copenhagen Rhythmic Conservatory Big Band and conducted rhythmic workshops. Makhene’s first album as a bandleader, Ascension of the Enlightened, won the MTN South African Music Award in 2005 for Best Contemporary Jazz Album. He conceives of this work as a translation of intimate communications with his ancestors. His second release, Swazi Gold, is based on the music he grew up listening to in Eswatini, also a fundamental influence on his artistry. Tlale Makhene currently leads a new quartet featuring guitarist Tshegofatso Teffo, bassist Sibusiso Sibanyoni, and Ziyawakazitha on turntables and electronics. Defined by his love for music and conscious magic on the guitar, Tshegofatso Teffo is a versatile artist contributing to genres of afropop, hip hop, and gospel, among others. Based in Pretoria and highly active as a session guitarist, Tshego interlinks musics and cultures with work that crosses boundaries and genres. With energetic performances seen with such artists as Kwesta, Tlale Makhene, Sjava, Msaki and many more, Tshego is a well-recognized asset to the 21st century music world. South African-born Bass player and Producer. Sibusiso Sibanyoni is well known for his creative, versatile and deep-rooted bass style which stems from the various beautiful cultures of South Africa. Raised in a musically inclined family, he was interested in music at a very young age, and launched his solo career in 2017. Sibanyoni has had the pleasure of sharing the stage with the musical giants such as The Great late Ray Phiri, Sibongile Khumalo and, Oliver Mtukudzi. He has been a proud member of Miagi Orchestra, New Skool Sextet and has shared his talent on stages around the world with great artists such as Tlale Makhene, Anders Paulsson , Naak, Bokani Dyer, Muriel Marco , Ayanda, Ringo Madlingozi just to name a few. His musical genius and generosity on stage makes him a true musicians’ bass player. Ziyawakazitha is an internationally known producer, performing artist, genre creator, and mixing and mastering sound engineer. Active in the genres of hiphop, tech afro house, gospel and neo-hip soul, Ziyawakazitha hails from the Kingdom of Eswatini, where he is inspired by a variety of authentic, indigenous and rare musical sounds barely known outside of the country. His sound is thus characterized by a unique mixture of colors that he is thrilled to share with the world. He has produced three EPs under his own name, and his vibrant music and production skills have supported such artists as: Tlale Makhene, Tshego AMG, Jabu Hlongwane, Keke Phofoolo, Sands, BHoloja, Mucells, Karrayse Fotso, Darktonic,SloQa, Parcel, !Sooks , Tsepo Tsola, and many more. Read more
22 Feb 2025 10:00 AM
Following a performance with his quartet at the Cosmopolis Festival offseason event on (February 21, 7:30 PM, Shaw Auditorium), master percussionist Tlale Makhene will lead a workshop on African rhythm. All attendees will be welcome to participate via movement, body percussion, and some instruments provided at the venue.
The event is free and open to the public. REGISTER
Bio
Born in Soweto, Tlale Makhene is one of South Africa’s most sought-after percussionists. A versatile performer, studio musician, producer, composer, and pedagogue, Makhene draws his inspiration from traditional, world, and jazz music, and has earned himself the title of “The Groove Master” among his musical compatriots. Makhene has performed extensively in South Africa and internationally, having collaborated with renowned groups and musicians such as Hugh Masekela, Johnny Clegg, Mirriam Makeba, Judith Sephuma, Letta Mbulu, Caiphus Semenya, Sibongile Khumalo, McCoy Mrubata, Stompie Mavi, Kalawa Production, Dan Selsick, Angelique Kidjo, Manu Dibango, Andy Narel, Paul Hanmer and Keiko Matsui. He also worked with multimedia visual artist William Kentridge in his highly acclaimed touring installation-performance Head and the Load. Makhene began drumming at the age of four after moving to Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), inspired by the drumbeats and dance rhythms played by his maternal grandmother, a traditional healer. He later returned to his birthplace Soweto and studied percussion full time at the FUNDA Center. His professional journey accelerated when he was scouted by the Danish percussion group Drums Across, leading to collaborations with Danish musicians such as John Sund, Yasser Pino, Rune Thorsteinsson, and Carsten D, among others. While in Denmark on a cultural exchange, he also performed with the Copenhagen Rhythmic Conservatory Big Band and conducted rhythmic workshops. Makhene’s first album as a bandleader, Ascension of the Enlightened, won the MTN South African Music Award in 2005 for Best Contemporary Jazz Album. He conceives of this work as a translation of intimate communications with his ancestors. His second release, Swazi Gold, is based on the music he grew up listening to in Eswatini, also a fundamental influence on his artistry. Tlale Makhene currently leads a new quartet featuring guitarist Tshegofatso Teffo, bassist Sibusiso Sibanyoni, and Mduduzi Matsenjwa on turntables and electronics. Read more
The event is free and open to the public. REGISTER
Bio
Born in Soweto, Tlale Makhene is one of South Africa’s most sought-after percussionists. A versatile performer, studio musician, producer, composer, and pedagogue, Makhene draws his inspiration from traditional, world, and jazz music, and has earned himself the title of “The Groove Master” among his musical compatriots. Makhene has performed extensively in South Africa and internationally, having collaborated with renowned groups and musicians such as Hugh Masekela, Johnny Clegg, Mirriam Makeba, Judith Sephuma, Letta Mbulu, Caiphus Semenya, Sibongile Khumalo, McCoy Mrubata, Stompie Mavi, Kalawa Production, Dan Selsick, Angelique Kidjo, Manu Dibango, Andy Narel, Paul Hanmer and Keiko Matsui. He also worked with multimedia visual artist William Kentridge in his highly acclaimed touring installation-performance Head and the Load. Makhene began drumming at the age of four after moving to Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), inspired by the drumbeats and dance rhythms played by his maternal grandmother, a traditional healer. He later returned to his birthplace Soweto and studied percussion full time at the FUNDA Center. His professional journey accelerated when he was scouted by the Danish percussion group Drums Across, leading to collaborations with Danish musicians such as John Sund, Yasser Pino, Rune Thorsteinsson, and Carsten D, among others. While in Denmark on a cultural exchange, he also performed with the Copenhagen Rhythmic Conservatory Big Band and conducted rhythmic workshops. Makhene’s first album as a bandleader, Ascension of the Enlightened, won the MTN South African Music Award in 2005 for Best Contemporary Jazz Album. He conceives of this work as a translation of intimate communications with his ancestors. His second release, Swazi Gold, is based on the music he grew up listening to in Eswatini, also a fundamental influence on his artistry. Tlale Makhene currently leads a new quartet featuring guitarist Tshegofatso Teffo, bassist Sibusiso Sibanyoni, and Mduduzi Matsenjwa on turntables and electronics. Read more
12 Apr 2025 07:30 PM
Of Time and Love: HK Phil at HKUST
HK Phil Community Concert x Cosmopolis Festival
Join HK Phil at HKUST for an unforgettable community concert, conducted by Ken Lam. Experience the evocative sounds of Timothy Page's Tensor and Bright Sheng’s captivating Concerto for Viola and Orchestra: Of Time and Love, featuring Roberto Díaz. The concert concludes with Strauss' delightful Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks, promising a programme filled with emotion and whimsy. Don’t miss this chance to immerse yourself in an exploration of music that delves into the depths of time and love!
The concert lasts approximately 90 minutes with an intermission.
Suitable for ages 7 or above. Each ticket admits one person ONLY regardless of age.
REGISTER
Program
Timothy Page: Tensor
Bright Sheng: Concerto for Viola and Orchestra, Of Time and Love
Franz Liszt: Symphonic Poem no. 3, Les Préludes
Richard Strauss: Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks
Artists
Read more
28 Sep 2025 03:00 PM
The region’s foremost purveyor of Teochew iron-rod puppetry, the Teochew Puppet and Opera House of Penang, Malaysia, will present two captivating works in this rare and distinct art form. Following the performance, the ensemble will host an open discussion. The performance will be in Teochew and Malay dialects with surtitles in English and Chinese.
The event is free and open to the public.
REGISTER
Teochew Puppet and Opera House GOH Ling, Director & Puppeteer TOH Ai Hwa, Artistic Matriarch GOH Lih Tat, Music Director, Musician & Puppeteer LOW Zhi Kai, Stage Manager & Puppeteer TANG Paik Tiang, Musician & Puppeteer TAN Saw Ean, Musician & Puppeteer NG Wei Kie, Musician & Puppeteer LIM Chai Lin, Light Designer & Sound Operator Program Teochew Iron Rod Puppetry: Princess Baihua Bestows Her Sword Set in the Yuan Dynasty, this timeless tale follows Haijun, a spy sent to infiltrate King Ngee Liak’s palace. Princess Baihua falls in love with him and gifts him her sword, unaware of his true mission. When Haijun’s betrayal leads to her father’s defeat, the Princess, torn between love and loyalty, ultimately avenges her father with the very sword she bestowed upon him. Contemporary Iron Rod Puppetry: Si Tanggang A modern retelling of the classic Southeast Asian folktale about Si Tanggang, a poor boy who rose to wealth but denied his humble origins and disowned his mother, leading to a tragic curse. The performance will be in in Teochew and Malay dialects with surtitles in English and Chinese. Bios
The only place in Malaysia dedicated to the Teochew operatic culture, the Teochew Puppet and Opera House was founded in 2014 by Ms. Goh Hooi Ling and is Malaysia’s first dedicated cultural space for the promotion of Teochew performing arts. Located in the historic Mor Han Club in Penang, it is recognized as one of Asia’s most unique homes for Teochew iron-rod puppetry—a rare and intricate form of traditional puppet theater.
Beyond showcasing this unique art form, the Teochew Puppet & Opera House tells the heartfelt story of a family based in Penang, Malaysia who has passed down the performing arts across five generations. From preserving the elegance of traditional Teochew opera to reimagining it for modern audiences, this living museum represents a cultural journey of dedication, resilience, and reinvention.
Visitors to the house in Teochew Puppet & Opera House in Penang can admire exquisite opera costumes and stage artifacts, listen to enchanting Teochew music, and even try their hand at puppetry or opera movements—becoming part of the experience themselves.
Combining exhibitions, education, and live performances, the institution offers regular classes in Teochew singing and recitation, opera movements, iron-rod puppetry, and percussion. It also organizes workshops, school outreach programs, and public lectures to cultivate appreciation among younger generations and nurture future successors of the art.
The Teochew Puppet & Opera House has also proudly represented Malaysia at major international arts festivals in Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia, and China, bringing the beauty of Teochew opera to the world.
Ling Goh is the founder and director of the Teochew Puppet and Opera House. Her mother, Toh Ai Hwa, established the Kim Giak Low Choon Puppet Troupe in 1989, and in 2008 was recognized as a Living Heritage Treasure by the Penang Heritage Trust. Descended from an unbroken line of opera performers stretching back into the 19th century, Ling had been exposed from the womb to an environment steeped in rich operatic tradition. Under the tutelage of experts, she has mastered the intricacies of iron-rod puppet manipulation as well as the nuances of each prominent archetype in Teochew opera. She is also adept in opera singing and is proficient in various opera instruments, such as drums and the dulcimer.
In 2014, the Mor Hun Club venue was introduced by Ms. Lim Gaik Siang to Ling Goh for the foundation of the Teochew Puppet & Opera House, a museum and performance space dedicated to the preservation and propagation of Teochew operatic arts, particularly Teochew Iron Rod Puppetry and Teochew Opera. Read more
Teochew Puppet and Opera House GOH Ling, Director & Puppeteer TOH Ai Hwa, Artistic Matriarch GOH Lih Tat, Music Director, Musician & Puppeteer LOW Zhi Kai, Stage Manager & Puppeteer TANG Paik Tiang, Musician & Puppeteer TAN Saw Ean, Musician & Puppeteer NG Wei Kie, Musician & Puppeteer LIM Chai Lin, Light Designer & Sound Operator Program Teochew Iron Rod Puppetry: Princess Baihua Bestows Her Sword Set in the Yuan Dynasty, this timeless tale follows Haijun, a spy sent to infiltrate King Ngee Liak’s palace. Princess Baihua falls in love with him and gifts him her sword, unaware of his true mission. When Haijun’s betrayal leads to her father’s defeat, the Princess, torn between love and loyalty, ultimately avenges her father with the very sword she bestowed upon him. Contemporary Iron Rod Puppetry: Si Tanggang A modern retelling of the classic Southeast Asian folktale about Si Tanggang, a poor boy who rose to wealth but denied his humble origins and disowned his mother, leading to a tragic curse. The performance will be in in Teochew and Malay dialects with surtitles in English and Chinese. Bios
The only place in Malaysia dedicated to the Teochew operatic culture, the Teochew Puppet and Opera House was founded in 2014 by Ms. Goh Hooi Ling and is Malaysia’s first dedicated cultural space for the promotion of Teochew performing arts. Located in the historic Mor Han Club in Penang, it is recognized as one of Asia’s most unique homes for Teochew iron-rod puppetry—a rare and intricate form of traditional puppet theater.
Beyond showcasing this unique art form, the Teochew Puppet & Opera House tells the heartfelt story of a family based in Penang, Malaysia who has passed down the performing arts across five generations. From preserving the elegance of traditional Teochew opera to reimagining it for modern audiences, this living museum represents a cultural journey of dedication, resilience, and reinvention.
Visitors to the house in Teochew Puppet & Opera House in Penang can admire exquisite opera costumes and stage artifacts, listen to enchanting Teochew music, and even try their hand at puppetry or opera movements—becoming part of the experience themselves.
Combining exhibitions, education, and live performances, the institution offers regular classes in Teochew singing and recitation, opera movements, iron-rod puppetry, and percussion. It also organizes workshops, school outreach programs, and public lectures to cultivate appreciation among younger generations and nurture future successors of the art.
The Teochew Puppet & Opera House has also proudly represented Malaysia at major international arts festivals in Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia, and China, bringing the beauty of Teochew opera to the world.
Ling Goh is the founder and director of the Teochew Puppet and Opera House. Her mother, Toh Ai Hwa, established the Kim Giak Low Choon Puppet Troupe in 1989, and in 2008 was recognized as a Living Heritage Treasure by the Penang Heritage Trust. Descended from an unbroken line of opera performers stretching back into the 19th century, Ling had been exposed from the womb to an environment steeped in rich operatic tradition. Under the tutelage of experts, she has mastered the intricacies of iron-rod puppet manipulation as well as the nuances of each prominent archetype in Teochew opera. She is also adept in opera singing and is proficient in various opera instruments, such as drums and the dulcimer.
In 2014, the Mor Hun Club venue was introduced by Ms. Lim Gaik Siang to Ling Goh for the foundation of the Teochew Puppet & Opera House, a museum and performance space dedicated to the preservation and propagation of Teochew operatic arts, particularly Teochew Iron Rod Puppetry and Teochew Opera. Read more
04 Oct 2025 07:30 PM
The adventurous and uncompromising modern jazz group Elifantree (Finland) presents an evening of breathtaking music, blending improvisation and dazzling vocals with electroacoustic elements and visuals.
The event is free and open to the public. REGISTER
Elifantree
Anni Elif Egecioglu, vocals Pauli Lyytinen, saxophones, electronics Olavi Louhivuori, drums Joonas Saikkonen, sound and visuals Related event
Join us on October 5 (Sunday), 3:00 PM, in the Shaw Auditorium foyer, as the members of Elifantree coach HKUST's music students in a live improvisation workshop. Bios
"Elifantree is enigmatic, unnerving and wonderfully unpredictable and can move from dreamscapes to fever sweats within the same bar."
The ever-evolving trio makes music using the framework of jazz, but usually trek well outside of it. With dazzling vocals, outstanding saxophone playing, pulsating rhythmical textures, and a complete devotion to the creative impulses, Elifantree has established itself as one of Finland's most uncompromising bands. And with their use of additional electroacoustic elements they create a sound much larger and wider than the sum of their parts. Elifantree has performed widely around the globe since 2007 and has gained a reputation as an energetic, unrestrained, and constantly surprising live act that has been compared to works by David Lynch, Charlie Chaplin, and Pablo Picasso. Their playful and versatile music is exceedingly articulated and always blessed with the spirit of improvisation.
The trio has released six critically acclaimed albums: Love & Trees (2010), Time Out (2012), Movers and Shakers (2015), Anemone (2018), Blood Moon (2019) and the double album Hachi (2021).
Anni Elif Egecioglu is a Swedish-Finnish vocalist, cellist and composer. Her versatile voice and bold artistry has brought her to many corners of the world. She is an artist who freely navigates the boundaries between different musical and artistic genres, blending vulnerability with mastery, and has performed with several of Finlands leading ensembles such as Tapiola Sinfonietta, Uusinta Ensemble, and UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra. Egecioglu started studying music at a young age and graduated as a classical cellist from the Academy of Music and Drama, in Gothenburg 2009. Nowadays she works mainly with improvised and experimental music but since a few years back she started performing contemporary classical music more frequently and also collaborating with composers which now plays a bigger part in her artistic oeuvre. As well as performing as a soloist, Anni Elif works regularly with the ever-evolving trio Elifantree, Anni Elif Ensemble, and as a duo with pianist Seppo Kantonen.
Saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist and composer Pauli Lyytinen is known for his adventurous and uncompromising work within rhythm and art music that transcends borders. Lyytinen is a sovereign saxophonist and improviser who expands his expression with a wide range of electronic instruments such as the electronic woodwind, effect pedals and synthesizers. Of the discography, which covers fifty titles, over 30 records contain music composed by Lyytinen, and the artist has performed his own music at hundreds of prestigious clubs and festivals in 35 countries around the globe. Lyytinen ́s environmental solo saxophone album Lehto / Korpi won the Jazz-Emma prize in 2025 ("Finnish Grammy") and was also nominated on Indie Awards 2025. Lyytinen 's active bands are Pauli Lyytinen Solo, Elifantree, Pauli Lyytinen & Niillas Holmberg, Magnetia Orkesteri, Pauli Lyytinen Rabbit Hole (fi/no/ch), Equally Stupid (fi/is/us) and Sole Azul. Throughout his 25-year artistic career, Lyytinen has collaborated with numerous international top musicians and other performing artists. In recent years he has collaborated increasingly with contemporary classical groups and interdisciplinary projects.
Born into a musical family, Olavi Louhivuori grew up in Jyväskylä, Central Finland, surrounded by music and musicians. His father is a professor at music department of the University of Jyväskylä, mother a violinist and music teacher and each of the seven-member Louhivuori family plays an instrument. Olavi began studying the violin at the age of 4 but switched to cello and piano after four years. He discovered the drums at the age of 9 when he was accepted into the music class of his primary school.
In 1998 Louhivuori enrolled at the Finnish Music Conservatory of Jyväskylä for 3 years. During these years he joined numerous different jazz groups, including the Joona Toivanen Trio and Jyväskylä Junior Big Band. Being a familiar face in the local venue, Jazz Bar, gained him a splendid opportunity to perform and jam with both local and visiting international musicians. Indeed, the Joona Toivanen Trio opened the junior jam session at Jazz Bar every Tuesday night for three years.
In 2002 Louhivuori moved to Helsinki to start his studies at the prestigious Sibelius Academy, and it did not take long before the drummer found himself working full-time both in Finland and abroad. First place in the Young Nordic Jazz Comets competition three times within six years (with Joona Toivanen Trio in 2000, Ilmiliekki Quartet in 2002, and SUN Trio in 2006) sent the talented drummer touring on the Continent and around the world, in Asia, Australia, and the United States.
Louhivuori has established himself as a drum artist with a distinctively nuanced and subtly experimental style. In recent years, one of Louhivuori’s most noteworthy achievements has been the membership in the Polish jazz veteran Tomasz Stanko’s new quintet. Apart from that, he has performed with such acclaimed names as Lee Konitz, Anthony Braxton, and Marilyn Crispell, and in the Finnish jazz scene, Louhivuori’s collaborations include UMO Jazz Orchestra and the folk group Piirpauke.
Joonas Saikkonen is a Finnish music technologist, sound designer, and producer specializing in alternative music, jazz, and folk. He has worked extensively with various artists and ensembles in Finland and the Nordic countries. Albums he has recorded and mixed have received five Emma Awards – the Finnish equivalent of the Grammy Awards – and a numerous amount of nominations.
Saikkonen has served as the technical producer for Etno-Espa (2015) and Jazz-Espa (2016–present) in Helsinki. He has also been responsible for sound reinforcement on the Finnish tours organized by the Jazz Federation. Joonas began studying cello at the Monaco Conservatory in 1991. After moving to Finland in 1997, he switched his main instruments to guitar and drums. His diverse music studies have provided him with a strong foundation for his work as a producer. Saikkonen graduated as a music technologist from the Pop & Jazz Conservatory in 2011 and continued his studies at the Sibelius Academy, from which he graduated in 2019. His strengths include exceptional listening skills, musicality, a deep foundation in music theory, creativity, and attentiveness.
His current projects include producing the fifth album by Antti Autio, recording and mixing Linda Fredriksson’s upcoming album, the Tale of the Fell performances by Tuuletar and Tapiola Sinfonietta, as well as live mixing for Karri Koira, a platinum-awarded Finnish R&B Artist. Read more
The event is free and open to the public. REGISTER
Elifantree
Anni Elif Egecioglu, vocals Pauli Lyytinen, saxophones, electronics Olavi Louhivuori, drums Joonas Saikkonen, sound and visuals Related event
Join us on October 5 (Sunday), 3:00 PM, in the Shaw Auditorium foyer, as the members of Elifantree coach HKUST's music students in a live improvisation workshop. Bios
"Elifantree is enigmatic, unnerving and wonderfully unpredictable and can move from dreamscapes to fever sweats within the same bar."
The ever-evolving trio makes music using the framework of jazz, but usually trek well outside of it. With dazzling vocals, outstanding saxophone playing, pulsating rhythmical textures, and a complete devotion to the creative impulses, Elifantree has established itself as one of Finland's most uncompromising bands. And with their use of additional electroacoustic elements they create a sound much larger and wider than the sum of their parts. Elifantree has performed widely around the globe since 2007 and has gained a reputation as an energetic, unrestrained, and constantly surprising live act that has been compared to works by David Lynch, Charlie Chaplin, and Pablo Picasso. Their playful and versatile music is exceedingly articulated and always blessed with the spirit of improvisation.
The trio has released six critically acclaimed albums: Love & Trees (2010), Time Out (2012), Movers and Shakers (2015), Anemone (2018), Blood Moon (2019) and the double album Hachi (2021).
Anni Elif Egecioglu is a Swedish-Finnish vocalist, cellist and composer. Her versatile voice and bold artistry has brought her to many corners of the world. She is an artist who freely navigates the boundaries between different musical and artistic genres, blending vulnerability with mastery, and has performed with several of Finlands leading ensembles such as Tapiola Sinfonietta, Uusinta Ensemble, and UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra. Egecioglu started studying music at a young age and graduated as a classical cellist from the Academy of Music and Drama, in Gothenburg 2009. Nowadays she works mainly with improvised and experimental music but since a few years back she started performing contemporary classical music more frequently and also collaborating with composers which now plays a bigger part in her artistic oeuvre. As well as performing as a soloist, Anni Elif works regularly with the ever-evolving trio Elifantree, Anni Elif Ensemble, and as a duo with pianist Seppo Kantonen.
Saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist and composer Pauli Lyytinen is known for his adventurous and uncompromising work within rhythm and art music that transcends borders. Lyytinen is a sovereign saxophonist and improviser who expands his expression with a wide range of electronic instruments such as the electronic woodwind, effect pedals and synthesizers. Of the discography, which covers fifty titles, over 30 records contain music composed by Lyytinen, and the artist has performed his own music at hundreds of prestigious clubs and festivals in 35 countries around the globe. Lyytinen ́s environmental solo saxophone album Lehto / Korpi won the Jazz-Emma prize in 2025 ("Finnish Grammy") and was also nominated on Indie Awards 2025. Lyytinen 's active bands are Pauli Lyytinen Solo, Elifantree, Pauli Lyytinen & Niillas Holmberg, Magnetia Orkesteri, Pauli Lyytinen Rabbit Hole (fi/no/ch), Equally Stupid (fi/is/us) and Sole Azul. Throughout his 25-year artistic career, Lyytinen has collaborated with numerous international top musicians and other performing artists. In recent years he has collaborated increasingly with contemporary classical groups and interdisciplinary projects.
Born into a musical family, Olavi Louhivuori grew up in Jyväskylä, Central Finland, surrounded by music and musicians. His father is a professor at music department of the University of Jyväskylä, mother a violinist and music teacher and each of the seven-member Louhivuori family plays an instrument. Olavi began studying the violin at the age of 4 but switched to cello and piano after four years. He discovered the drums at the age of 9 when he was accepted into the music class of his primary school.
In 1998 Louhivuori enrolled at the Finnish Music Conservatory of Jyväskylä for 3 years. During these years he joined numerous different jazz groups, including the Joona Toivanen Trio and Jyväskylä Junior Big Band. Being a familiar face in the local venue, Jazz Bar, gained him a splendid opportunity to perform and jam with both local and visiting international musicians. Indeed, the Joona Toivanen Trio opened the junior jam session at Jazz Bar every Tuesday night for three years.
In 2002 Louhivuori moved to Helsinki to start his studies at the prestigious Sibelius Academy, and it did not take long before the drummer found himself working full-time both in Finland and abroad. First place in the Young Nordic Jazz Comets competition three times within six years (with Joona Toivanen Trio in 2000, Ilmiliekki Quartet in 2002, and SUN Trio in 2006) sent the talented drummer touring on the Continent and around the world, in Asia, Australia, and the United States.
Louhivuori has established himself as a drum artist with a distinctively nuanced and subtly experimental style. In recent years, one of Louhivuori’s most noteworthy achievements has been the membership in the Polish jazz veteran Tomasz Stanko’s new quintet. Apart from that, he has performed with such acclaimed names as Lee Konitz, Anthony Braxton, and Marilyn Crispell, and in the Finnish jazz scene, Louhivuori’s collaborations include UMO Jazz Orchestra and the folk group Piirpauke.
Joonas Saikkonen is a Finnish music technologist, sound designer, and producer specializing in alternative music, jazz, and folk. He has worked extensively with various artists and ensembles in Finland and the Nordic countries. Albums he has recorded and mixed have received five Emma Awards – the Finnish equivalent of the Grammy Awards – and a numerous amount of nominations.
Saikkonen has served as the technical producer for Etno-Espa (2015) and Jazz-Espa (2016–present) in Helsinki. He has also been responsible for sound reinforcement on the Finnish tours organized by the Jazz Federation. Joonas began studying cello at the Monaco Conservatory in 1991. After moving to Finland in 1997, he switched his main instruments to guitar and drums. His diverse music studies have provided him with a strong foundation for his work as a producer. Saikkonen graduated as a music technologist from the Pop & Jazz Conservatory in 2011 and continued his studies at the Sibelius Academy, from which he graduated in 2019. His strengths include exceptional listening skills, musicality, a deep foundation in music theory, creativity, and attentiveness.
His current projects include producing the fifth album by Antti Autio, recording and mixing Linda Fredriksson’s upcoming album, the Tale of the Fell performances by Tuuletar and Tapiola Sinfonietta, as well as live mixing for Karri Koira, a platinum-awarded Finnish R&B Artist. Read more
05 Oct 2025 03:00 PM
Following the band's exclusive Hong Kong appearance at Cosmopolis Festival (October 4, 7:30 PM, Shaw Auditorium), members of the Nordic jazz group Elifantree coach HKUST's talented music students in an improvisation workshop in front of a live audience.
The event is free and open to the public. REGISTER
Elifantree
Anni Elif Egecioglu, vocals Pauli Lyytinen, saxophones, electronics Olavi Louhivuori, drums Joonas Saikkonen, sound and visuals Bios
"Elifantree is enigmatic, unnerving and wonderfully unpredictable and can move from dreamscapes to fever sweats within the same bar."
The ever-evolving trio makes music using the framework of jazz, but usually trek well outside of it. With dazzling vocals, outstanding saxophone playing, pulsating rhythmical textures, and a complete devotion to the creative impulses, Elifantree has established itself as one of Finland's most uncompromising bands. And with their use of additional electroacoustic elements they create a sound much larger and wider than the sum of their parts. Elifantree has performed widely around the globe since 2007 and has gained a reputation as an energetic, unrestrained, and constantly surprising live act that has been compared to works by David Lynch, Charlie Chaplin, and Pablo Picasso. Their playful and versatile music is exceedingly articulated and always blessed with the spirit of improvisation.
The trio has released six critically acclaimed albums: Love & Trees (2010), Time Out (2012), Movers and Shakers (2015), Anemone (2018), Blood Moon (2019) and the double album Hachi (2021).
Anni Elif Egecioglu is a Swedish-Finnish vocalist, cellist and composer. Her versatile voice and bold artistry has brought her to many corners of the world. She is an artist who freely navigates the boundaries between different musical and artistic genres, blending vulnerability with mastery, and has performed with several of Finlands leading ensembles such as Tapiola Sinfonietta, Uusinta Ensemble, and UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra. Egecioglu started studying music at a young age and graduated as a classical cellist from the Academy of Music and Drama, in Gothenburg 2009. Nowadays she works mainly with improvised and experimental music but since a few years back she started performing contemporary classical music more frequently and also collaborating with composers which now plays a bigger part in her artistic oeuvre. As well as performing as a soloist, Anni Elif works regularly with the ever-evolving trio Elifantree, Anni Elif Ensemble, and as a duo with pianist Seppo Kantonen.
Saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist and composer Pauli Lyytinen is known for his adventurous and uncompromising work within rhythm and art music that transcends borders. Lyytinen is a sovereign saxophonist and improviser who expands his expression with a wide range of electronic instruments such as the electronic woodwind, effect pedals and synthesizers. Of the discography, which covers fifty titles, over 30 records contain music composed by Lyytinen, and the artist has performed his own music at hundreds of prestigious clubs and festivals in 35 countries around the globe. Lyytinen ́s environmental solo saxophone album Lehto / Korpi won the Jazz-Emma prize in 2025 ("Finnish Grammy") and was also nominated on Indie Awards 2025. Lyytinen 's active bands are Pauli Lyytinen Solo, Elifantree, Pauli Lyytinen & Niillas Holmberg, Magnetia Orkesteri, Pauli Lyytinen Rabbit Hole (fi/no/ch), Equally Stupid (fi/is/us) and Sole Azul. Throughout his 25-year artistic career, Lyytinen has collaborated with numerous international top musicians and other performing artists. In recent years he has collaborated increasingly with contemporary classical groups and interdisciplinary projects.
Born into a musical family, Olavi Louhivuori grew up in Jyväskylä, Central Finland, surrounded by music and musicians. His father is a professor at music department of the University of Jyväskylä, mother a violinist and music teacher and each of the seven-member Louhivuori family plays an instrument. Olavi began studying the violin at the age of 4 but switched to cello and piano after four years. He discovered the drums at the age of 9 when he was accepted into the music class of his primary school.
In 1998 Louhivuori enrolled at the Finnish Music Conservatory of Jyväskylä for 3 years. During these years he joined numerous different jazz groups, including the Joona Toivanen Trio and Jyväskylä Junior Big Band. Being a familiar face in the local venue, Jazz Bar, gained him a splendid opportunity to perform and jam with both local and visiting international musicians. Indeed, the Joona Toivanen Trio opened the junior jam session at Jazz Bar every Tuesday night for three years.
In 2002 Louhivuori moved to Helsinki to start his studies at the prestigious Sibelius Academy, and it did not take long before the drummer found himself working full-time both in Finland and abroad. First place in the Young Nordic Jazz Comets competition three times within six years (with Joona Toivanen Trio in 2000, Ilmiliekki Quartet in 2002, and SUN Trio in 2006) sent the talented drummer touring on the Continent and around the world, in Asia, Australia, and the United States.
Louhivuori has established himself as a drum artist with a distinctively nuanced and subtly experimental style. In recent years, one of Louhivuori’s most noteworthy achievements has been the membership in the Polish jazz veteran Tomasz Stanko’s new quintet. Apart from that, he has performed with such acclaimed names as Lee Konitz, Anthony Braxton, and Marilyn Crispell, and in the Finnish jazz scene, Louhivuori’s collaborations include UMO Jazz Orchestra and the folk group Piirpauke.
Joonas Saikkonen is a Finnish music technologist, sound designer, and producer specializing in alternative music, jazz, and folk. He has worked extensively with various artists and ensembles in Finland and the Nordic countries. Albums he has recorded and mixed have received five Emma Awards – the Finnish equivalent of the Grammy Awards – and a numerous amount of nominations.
Saikkonen has served as the technical producer for Etno-Espa (2015) and Jazz-Espa (2016–present) in Helsinki. He has also been responsible for sound reinforcement on the Finnish tours organized by the Jazz Federation. Joonas began studying cello at the Monaco Conservatory in 1991. After moving to Finland in 1997, he switched his main instruments to guitar and drums. His diverse music studies have provided him with a strong foundation for his work as a producer. Saikkonen graduated as a music technologist from the Pop & Jazz Conservatory in 2011 and continued his studies at the Sibelius Academy, from which he graduated in 2019. His strengths include exceptional listening skills, musicality, a deep foundation in music theory, creativity, and attentiveness.
His current projects include producing the fifth album by Antti Autio, recording and mixing Linda Fredriksson’s upcoming album, the Tale of the Fell performances by Tuuletar and Tapiola Sinfonietta, as well as live mixing for Karri Koira, a platinum-awarded Finnish R&B Artist. Read more
The event is free and open to the public. REGISTER
Elifantree
Anni Elif Egecioglu, vocals Pauli Lyytinen, saxophones, electronics Olavi Louhivuori, drums Joonas Saikkonen, sound and visuals Bios
"Elifantree is enigmatic, unnerving and wonderfully unpredictable and can move from dreamscapes to fever sweats within the same bar."
The ever-evolving trio makes music using the framework of jazz, but usually trek well outside of it. With dazzling vocals, outstanding saxophone playing, pulsating rhythmical textures, and a complete devotion to the creative impulses, Elifantree has established itself as one of Finland's most uncompromising bands. And with their use of additional electroacoustic elements they create a sound much larger and wider than the sum of their parts. Elifantree has performed widely around the globe since 2007 and has gained a reputation as an energetic, unrestrained, and constantly surprising live act that has been compared to works by David Lynch, Charlie Chaplin, and Pablo Picasso. Their playful and versatile music is exceedingly articulated and always blessed with the spirit of improvisation.
The trio has released six critically acclaimed albums: Love & Trees (2010), Time Out (2012), Movers and Shakers (2015), Anemone (2018), Blood Moon (2019) and the double album Hachi (2021).
Anni Elif Egecioglu is a Swedish-Finnish vocalist, cellist and composer. Her versatile voice and bold artistry has brought her to many corners of the world. She is an artist who freely navigates the boundaries between different musical and artistic genres, blending vulnerability with mastery, and has performed with several of Finlands leading ensembles such as Tapiola Sinfonietta, Uusinta Ensemble, and UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra. Egecioglu started studying music at a young age and graduated as a classical cellist from the Academy of Music and Drama, in Gothenburg 2009. Nowadays she works mainly with improvised and experimental music but since a few years back she started performing contemporary classical music more frequently and also collaborating with composers which now plays a bigger part in her artistic oeuvre. As well as performing as a soloist, Anni Elif works regularly with the ever-evolving trio Elifantree, Anni Elif Ensemble, and as a duo with pianist Seppo Kantonen.
Saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist and composer Pauli Lyytinen is known for his adventurous and uncompromising work within rhythm and art music that transcends borders. Lyytinen is a sovereign saxophonist and improviser who expands his expression with a wide range of electronic instruments such as the electronic woodwind, effect pedals and synthesizers. Of the discography, which covers fifty titles, over 30 records contain music composed by Lyytinen, and the artist has performed his own music at hundreds of prestigious clubs and festivals in 35 countries around the globe. Lyytinen ́s environmental solo saxophone album Lehto / Korpi won the Jazz-Emma prize in 2025 ("Finnish Grammy") and was also nominated on Indie Awards 2025. Lyytinen 's active bands are Pauli Lyytinen Solo, Elifantree, Pauli Lyytinen & Niillas Holmberg, Magnetia Orkesteri, Pauli Lyytinen Rabbit Hole (fi/no/ch), Equally Stupid (fi/is/us) and Sole Azul. Throughout his 25-year artistic career, Lyytinen has collaborated with numerous international top musicians and other performing artists. In recent years he has collaborated increasingly with contemporary classical groups and interdisciplinary projects.
Born into a musical family, Olavi Louhivuori grew up in Jyväskylä, Central Finland, surrounded by music and musicians. His father is a professor at music department of the University of Jyväskylä, mother a violinist and music teacher and each of the seven-member Louhivuori family plays an instrument. Olavi began studying the violin at the age of 4 but switched to cello and piano after four years. He discovered the drums at the age of 9 when he was accepted into the music class of his primary school.
In 1998 Louhivuori enrolled at the Finnish Music Conservatory of Jyväskylä for 3 years. During these years he joined numerous different jazz groups, including the Joona Toivanen Trio and Jyväskylä Junior Big Band. Being a familiar face in the local venue, Jazz Bar, gained him a splendid opportunity to perform and jam with both local and visiting international musicians. Indeed, the Joona Toivanen Trio opened the junior jam session at Jazz Bar every Tuesday night for three years.
In 2002 Louhivuori moved to Helsinki to start his studies at the prestigious Sibelius Academy, and it did not take long before the drummer found himself working full-time both in Finland and abroad. First place in the Young Nordic Jazz Comets competition three times within six years (with Joona Toivanen Trio in 2000, Ilmiliekki Quartet in 2002, and SUN Trio in 2006) sent the talented drummer touring on the Continent and around the world, in Asia, Australia, and the United States.
Louhivuori has established himself as a drum artist with a distinctively nuanced and subtly experimental style. In recent years, one of Louhivuori’s most noteworthy achievements has been the membership in the Polish jazz veteran Tomasz Stanko’s new quintet. Apart from that, he has performed with such acclaimed names as Lee Konitz, Anthony Braxton, and Marilyn Crispell, and in the Finnish jazz scene, Louhivuori’s collaborations include UMO Jazz Orchestra and the folk group Piirpauke.
Joonas Saikkonen is a Finnish music technologist, sound designer, and producer specializing in alternative music, jazz, and folk. He has worked extensively with various artists and ensembles in Finland and the Nordic countries. Albums he has recorded and mixed have received five Emma Awards – the Finnish equivalent of the Grammy Awards – and a numerous amount of nominations.
Saikkonen has served as the technical producer for Etno-Espa (2015) and Jazz-Espa (2016–present) in Helsinki. He has also been responsible for sound reinforcement on the Finnish tours organized by the Jazz Federation. Joonas began studying cello at the Monaco Conservatory in 1991. After moving to Finland in 1997, he switched his main instruments to guitar and drums. His diverse music studies have provided him with a strong foundation for his work as a producer. Saikkonen graduated as a music technologist from the Pop & Jazz Conservatory in 2011 and continued his studies at the Sibelius Academy, from which he graduated in 2019. His strengths include exceptional listening skills, musicality, a deep foundation in music theory, creativity, and attentiveness.
His current projects include producing the fifth album by Antti Autio, recording and mixing Linda Fredriksson’s upcoming album, the Tale of the Fell performances by Tuuletar and Tapiola Sinfonietta, as well as live mixing for Karri Koira, a platinum-awarded Finnish R&B Artist. Read more
11 Oct 2025 07:30 PM
Vocal artist Ashwini Bhide Deshpande is one of the foremost exponents of North Indian Classical music. Her voice, both melodic and powerful, draws listeners to an experience that enchants and subsumes. Together with Siddhesh Bicholkar (harmonium), Yati Bhagwat (tabla), and Rutuja Lad (vocal support), the artists will take us on a journey through the khayal form of music, unique in its improvisatory style and presentation of the raga.
The event is free and open to the public. REGISTER
Educational Events
Join us also for these related educational events: Hatha and Nada Yoga with Shirish Gupta and Mukunda Dev on October 12 (Sunday) at 7:00 AM and again at 2 PM, Cheng Yu Tung Building (LT-L), HKUST, will introduce participants to both a physical yoga practice as well as to a tradition of sound-based meditation. In The Anatomy of a Hindustani Classical Music Recital, October 12 at 10:00 AM at the same location, Ashwini Bhide Deshpande and her accompanying artists will discuss their musical tradition and answer questions from the audience. Bios
Ashwini Bhide Deshpande is a vocalist and one of the foremost exponents of Hindustani (North Indian) Classical music. She belongs to the Jaipur-atrauli gharana lineage, distinct for its effortless weaving-through of notes. Her voice, both melodic and powerful, draws listeners into an experience that enchants and subsumes. Ashwini’s musicianship is characterized by a blend of tonal sweetness coupled with vitality and emotion and raga structure-architecture. Her raga delineation shows an unerring grasp over the grammar of the music while maintaining a soulfulness in her voice. She yearns to explore the pathos of rare and complex (“achchop”) ragas characteristic of her gharana. In this effort, she has received invaluable guidance from her Guru, the late Pt. Ratnakar Pai. This, and of course, her mother’s unstinted support, added to her own mature introspection, led Ashwini to new horizons in the ever-expanding terrain of Hindustani Classical Music.
Siddhesh Bicholkar, a virtuoso harmonium player hailing from Goa, India, is renowned for his mesmerizing performances that breathe life into every melody he touches. With a deep-rooted passion for music cultivated from a young age, Siddhesh has honed his craft through years of dedicated practice and study under eminent gurus. His mastery of the harmonium transcends mere technical proficiency; it embodies a profound understanding of melody, rhythm, and emotion. Siddhesh’s performances exude a rare blend of precision and spontaneity, captivating audiences with soulful improvisations and expressive interpretations. Whether accompanying vocalists or leading ensembles, his intuitive musicality adds depth and richness to every composition, earning him acclaim both at home and abroad.
Born in 1991, Yati Bhagwat started learning tabla under the guidance of Shree Amit Patkar, before coming under the tutelage of Pt. Suryaksha Deshpande, the senior most disciple of Pt. Arvind Mulgaonkar. Having secured a gold medal in his master’s exams, Yati is a recipient of many prestigious awards. He is also B high graded artist of All India Radio, and has accompanied many stalwarts such as late Ganyogini Dhondutai Kulkarni, Vidushi Dr. Ashwini Bhide Deshpande, Vidushi Padma Talwalkar, Pt. Ronu Mujumdar, Pt. Sanjeev, and many other prominent artists.
Rutuja Lad was initiated into music at the age of 5 years by her parents Shri Umesh Lad and Tanuja Lad. She received her initial training from Guruvarya Shri Bhalchandra Patre. Later she received her training in Jaipur Atrauli Gharana from Gaanyogini Pandita Dhondutai Kulkarni, for around 12 years. She is also learning harmonium from Shri Sudhir Nayak. Currently she is being trained under Vidushi Dr. Ashwini Bhide – Deshpande. Additionally she is learning the semi classical repertoire from Vidushi Shubha Joshi. Read more
The event is free and open to the public. REGISTER
Educational Events
Join us also for these related educational events: Hatha and Nada Yoga with Shirish Gupta and Mukunda Dev on October 12 (Sunday) at 7:00 AM and again at 2 PM, Cheng Yu Tung Building (LT-L), HKUST, will introduce participants to both a physical yoga practice as well as to a tradition of sound-based meditation. In The Anatomy of a Hindustani Classical Music Recital, October 12 at 10:00 AM at the same location, Ashwini Bhide Deshpande and her accompanying artists will discuss their musical tradition and answer questions from the audience. Bios
Ashwini Bhide Deshpande is a vocalist and one of the foremost exponents of Hindustani (North Indian) Classical music. She belongs to the Jaipur-atrauli gharana lineage, distinct for its effortless weaving-through of notes. Her voice, both melodic and powerful, draws listeners into an experience that enchants and subsumes. Ashwini’s musicianship is characterized by a blend of tonal sweetness coupled with vitality and emotion and raga structure-architecture. Her raga delineation shows an unerring grasp over the grammar of the music while maintaining a soulfulness in her voice. She yearns to explore the pathos of rare and complex (“achchop”) ragas characteristic of her gharana. In this effort, she has received invaluable guidance from her Guru, the late Pt. Ratnakar Pai. This, and of course, her mother’s unstinted support, added to her own mature introspection, led Ashwini to new horizons in the ever-expanding terrain of Hindustani Classical Music.
Siddhesh Bicholkar, a virtuoso harmonium player hailing from Goa, India, is renowned for his mesmerizing performances that breathe life into every melody he touches. With a deep-rooted passion for music cultivated from a young age, Siddhesh has honed his craft through years of dedicated practice and study under eminent gurus. His mastery of the harmonium transcends mere technical proficiency; it embodies a profound understanding of melody, rhythm, and emotion. Siddhesh’s performances exude a rare blend of precision and spontaneity, captivating audiences with soulful improvisations and expressive interpretations. Whether accompanying vocalists or leading ensembles, his intuitive musicality adds depth and richness to every composition, earning him acclaim both at home and abroad.
Born in 1991, Yati Bhagwat started learning tabla under the guidance of Shree Amit Patkar, before coming under the tutelage of Pt. Suryaksha Deshpande, the senior most disciple of Pt. Arvind Mulgaonkar. Having secured a gold medal in his master’s exams, Yati is a recipient of many prestigious awards. He is also B high graded artist of All India Radio, and has accompanied many stalwarts such as late Ganyogini Dhondutai Kulkarni, Vidushi Dr. Ashwini Bhide Deshpande, Vidushi Padma Talwalkar, Pt. Ronu Mujumdar, Pt. Sanjeev, and many other prominent artists.
Rutuja Lad was initiated into music at the age of 5 years by her parents Shri Umesh Lad and Tanuja Lad. She received her initial training from Guruvarya Shri Bhalchandra Patre. Later she received her training in Jaipur Atrauli Gharana from Gaanyogini Pandita Dhondutai Kulkarni, for around 12 years. She is also learning harmonium from Shri Sudhir Nayak. Currently she is being trained under Vidushi Dr. Ashwini Bhide – Deshpande. Additionally she is learning the semi classical repertoire from Vidushi Shubha Joshi. Read more
12 Oct 2025 10:00 AM
Following Ashwini Bhide's Cosmopolis Festival concert (October 11, 7:30 PM, Shaw Auditorium), this workshop will take participants through the basics of Hindustani classical music and khayal renditions, including an extensive Q&A session with all of the artists. The discussion will touch on the intricacies of ragas, which form the base of all Indian classical music, and on the improvisatory nature of the performance.
The event is free and open to the public. REGISTER Related events Don't miss Ashwini Bhide Deshpande's exclusive Hong Kong appearance at the Cosmopolis Festival on October 11, 7:30 PM, at the Shaw Auditorium! Join us also for the related workshop event, Hatha and Nada Yoga with Shirish Gupta and Mukunda Dev on October 12 (Sunday) at 7:00 AM and again at 2 PM, Cheng Yu Tung Building (LT-L), HKUST, which will introduce participants to both a physical yoga practice as well as to a tradition of sound-based meditation. Bios
Ashwini Bhide Deshpande is a vocalist and one of the foremost exponents of Hindustani (North Indian) Classical music. She belongs to the Jaipur-atrauli gharana lineage, distinct for its effortless weaving-through of notes. Her voice, both melodic and powerful, draws listeners into an experience that enchants and subsumes. Ashwini’s musicianship is characterized by a blend of tonal sweetness coupled with vitality and emotion and raga structure-architecture. Her raga delineation shows an unerring grasp over the grammar of the music while maintaining a soulfulness in her voice. She yearns to explore the pathos of rare and complex (“achchop”) ragas characteristic of her gharana. In this effort, she has received invaluable guidance from her Guru, the late Pt. Ratnakar Pai. This, and of course, her mother’s unstinted support, added to her own mature introspection, led Ashwini to new horizons in the ever-expanding terrain of Hindustani Classical Music.
Siddhesh Bicholkar, a virtuoso harmonium player hailing from Goa, India, is renowned for his mesmerizing performances that breathe life into every melody he touches. With a deep-rooted passion for music cultivated from a young age, Siddhesh has honed his craft through years of dedicated practice and study under eminent gurus. His mastery of the harmonium transcends mere technical proficiency; it embodies a profound understanding of melody, rhythm, and emotion. Siddhesh’s performances exude a rare blend of precision and spontaneity, captivating audiences with soulful improvisations and expressive interpretations. Whether accompanying vocalists or leading ensembles, his intuitive musicality adds depth and richness to every composition, earning him acclaim both at home and abroad.
Born in 1991, Yati Bhagwat started learning tabla under the guidance of Shree Amit Patkar, before coming under the tutelage of Pt. Suryaksha Deshpande, the senior most disciple of Pt. Arvind Mulgaonkar. Having secured a gold medal in his master’s exams, Yati is a recipient of many prestigious awards. He is also B high graded artist of All India Radio, and has accompanied many stalwarts such as late Ganyogini Dhondutai Kulkarni, Vidushi Dr. Ashwini Bhide Deshpande, Vidushi Padma Talwalkar, Pt. Ronu Mujumdar, Pt. Sanjeev, and many other prominent artists.
Rutuja Lad was initiated into music at the age of 5 years by her parents Shri Umesh Lad and Tanuja Lad. She received her initial training from Guruvarya Shri Bhalchandra Patre. Later she received her training in Jaipur Atrauli Gharana from Gaanyogini Pandita Dhondutai Kulkarni, for around 12 years. She is also learning harmonium from Shri Sudhir Nayak. Currently she is being trained under Vidushi Dr.Ashwini Bhide – Deshpande. Additionally she is learning the semi classical repertoire from Vidushi Shubha Joshi. Read more
The event is free and open to the public. REGISTER Related events Don't miss Ashwini Bhide Deshpande's exclusive Hong Kong appearance at the Cosmopolis Festival on October 11, 7:30 PM, at the Shaw Auditorium! Join us also for the related workshop event, Hatha and Nada Yoga with Shirish Gupta and Mukunda Dev on October 12 (Sunday) at 7:00 AM and again at 2 PM, Cheng Yu Tung Building (LT-L), HKUST, which will introduce participants to both a physical yoga practice as well as to a tradition of sound-based meditation. Bios
Ashwini Bhide Deshpande is a vocalist and one of the foremost exponents of Hindustani (North Indian) Classical music. She belongs to the Jaipur-atrauli gharana lineage, distinct for its effortless weaving-through of notes. Her voice, both melodic and powerful, draws listeners into an experience that enchants and subsumes. Ashwini’s musicianship is characterized by a blend of tonal sweetness coupled with vitality and emotion and raga structure-architecture. Her raga delineation shows an unerring grasp over the grammar of the music while maintaining a soulfulness in her voice. She yearns to explore the pathos of rare and complex (“achchop”) ragas characteristic of her gharana. In this effort, she has received invaluable guidance from her Guru, the late Pt. Ratnakar Pai. This, and of course, her mother’s unstinted support, added to her own mature introspection, led Ashwini to new horizons in the ever-expanding terrain of Hindustani Classical Music.
Siddhesh Bicholkar, a virtuoso harmonium player hailing from Goa, India, is renowned for his mesmerizing performances that breathe life into every melody he touches. With a deep-rooted passion for music cultivated from a young age, Siddhesh has honed his craft through years of dedicated practice and study under eminent gurus. His mastery of the harmonium transcends mere technical proficiency; it embodies a profound understanding of melody, rhythm, and emotion. Siddhesh’s performances exude a rare blend of precision and spontaneity, captivating audiences with soulful improvisations and expressive interpretations. Whether accompanying vocalists or leading ensembles, his intuitive musicality adds depth and richness to every composition, earning him acclaim both at home and abroad.
Born in 1991, Yati Bhagwat started learning tabla under the guidance of Shree Amit Patkar, before coming under the tutelage of Pt. Suryaksha Deshpande, the senior most disciple of Pt. Arvind Mulgaonkar. Having secured a gold medal in his master’s exams, Yati is a recipient of many prestigious awards. He is also B high graded artist of All India Radio, and has accompanied many stalwarts such as late Ganyogini Dhondutai Kulkarni, Vidushi Dr. Ashwini Bhide Deshpande, Vidushi Padma Talwalkar, Pt. Ronu Mujumdar, Pt. Sanjeev, and many other prominent artists.
Rutuja Lad was initiated into music at the age of 5 years by her parents Shri Umesh Lad and Tanuja Lad. She received her initial training from Guruvarya Shri Bhalchandra Patre. Later she received her training in Jaipur Atrauli Gharana from Gaanyogini Pandita Dhondutai Kulkarni, for around 12 years. She is also learning harmonium from Shri Sudhir Nayak. Currently she is being trained under Vidushi Dr.Ashwini Bhide – Deshpande. Additionally she is learning the semi classical repertoire from Vidushi Shubha Joshi. Read more
12 Oct 2025 02:00 PM
Hosted by two yoga gurus from India, this workshop will introduce attendees to two distinct traditions: hatha yoga, a type of physical meditation, and nada yoga, based on a focused awareness of sound. This workshop offers a holistic experience of yoga to beginners and seasoned practitioners alike. Session 1 provides an experience of yogic practice as close to the break of dawn as logistically feasible; Session 2 will consist of similar content in the afternoon.
The event is free and open to the public. REGISTER FOR SESSION 1
REGISTER FOR SESSION 2
Related events Don't miss Ashwini Bhide Deshpande's exclusive Hong Kong appearance at the Cosmopolis Festival on October 11, 7:30 PM, at the Shaw Auditorium! Join us also for the related workshop event, The Anatomy of a Hindustani Classical Music Recital, on October 12, 10:00 AM, at the Cheng Yu Tung Building (LT-L), HKUST, in which Ashwini and her accompanying artists will discuss their musical tradition and answer questions from the audience. Bios
Mukund Dev Sahoo is a Hindustani classical vocalist and Dhrupad exponent in the Dagar Vani lineage, trained under Padma Shri Gundecha Brothers at the Dhrupad Sansthan, Bhopal. Founder of the Dhrupad Music Foundation (DMF), he is recognized for initiating Deva Vani Dhrupad, a mantra-infused aalap tradition rooted in nada yoga (union with sound). His work bridges devotion and innovation, reviving the bhakti essence of Dhrupad while engaging contemporary audiences through performances, teaching, and publications. An AIR and SPIC MACAY artist, Mukund has performed at major festivals across India, nurtured over 200 students, including international disciples, and continues to inspire a new generation of seekers and musicians.
Shirish Gupta has combined his years of journey as a seeker of ancient yogic, meditative, and healing wisdom from across India with rich practical execution experience with reputed wellness brands to create a holistic and hyper-personalised wellness platform in the form of Yogakaar. Shirish inherits a deep understanding of Yoga, Ayurveda, and Life Sciences, along with a rich study of ancient scriptures of India and reputed international medical research journals. His deep insights into practical aspects of authentic yoga practices are rooted in his yogic upbringing under the direct guidance of his grandfather Swami Omkarananda Saraswati and his Guru Paramhansa Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati. Read more
The event is free and open to the public. REGISTER FOR SESSION 1
REGISTER FOR SESSION 2
Related events Don't miss Ashwini Bhide Deshpande's exclusive Hong Kong appearance at the Cosmopolis Festival on October 11, 7:30 PM, at the Shaw Auditorium! Join us also for the related workshop event, The Anatomy of a Hindustani Classical Music Recital, on October 12, 10:00 AM, at the Cheng Yu Tung Building (LT-L), HKUST, in which Ashwini and her accompanying artists will discuss their musical tradition and answer questions from the audience. Bios
Mukund Dev Sahoo is a Hindustani classical vocalist and Dhrupad exponent in the Dagar Vani lineage, trained under Padma Shri Gundecha Brothers at the Dhrupad Sansthan, Bhopal. Founder of the Dhrupad Music Foundation (DMF), he is recognized for initiating Deva Vani Dhrupad, a mantra-infused aalap tradition rooted in nada yoga (union with sound). His work bridges devotion and innovation, reviving the bhakti essence of Dhrupad while engaging contemporary audiences through performances, teaching, and publications. An AIR and SPIC MACAY artist, Mukund has performed at major festivals across India, nurtured over 200 students, including international disciples, and continues to inspire a new generation of seekers and musicians.
Shirish Gupta has combined his years of journey as a seeker of ancient yogic, meditative, and healing wisdom from across India with rich practical execution experience with reputed wellness brands to create a holistic and hyper-personalised wellness platform in the form of Yogakaar. Shirish inherits a deep understanding of Yoga, Ayurveda, and Life Sciences, along with a rich study of ancient scriptures of India and reputed international medical research journals. His deep insights into practical aspects of authentic yoga practices are rooted in his yogic upbringing under the direct guidance of his grandfather Swami Omkarananda Saraswati and his Guru Paramhansa Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati. Read more
24 Oct 2025 10:00 AM
In advance of the Pavel Haas Quartet performance (October 24, 7:30 PM, Shaw Auditorium), internationally renowned cellist Peter Jarůšek of the group will coach preselected chamber music students in rehearsal of chosen repertoire.
The event is free and open to the public.
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Program
Carl Maria von Weber: Trio for Piano, Flute and Cello in G minor, Op.63, I. Allegro moderato
Janice Chiu, flute
Adrien Partier, cello
Yuen Ho Zhou, piano Johann Nepomuk Hummel: Piano Trio No.1 in E Flat major, Op.12, I. Allegro agitato Clarence Cheung, violin
Carson Cheng, cello
Michelle Cheung, piano Students coached by Peter Jarůšek, cello Bios Peter Jarůšek has been cellist of the Pavel Haas Quartet since 2004. The Pavel Haas Quartet is revered across the globe for its richness of timbre, infectious passion and intuitive rapport. Performing at the world’s most prestigious concert halls and having won five Gramophone Awards and numerous others for their recordings, the Quartet is firmly established as one of the world’s foremost chamber ensembles. The Quartet appears at major venues including Wigmore Hall, London; Philharmonie and Konzerthaus, Berlin; Musikverein, Vienna; Elbphilharmonie, Hamburg; Concertgebouw and Muziekgebouw, Amsterdam; Tonhalle, Zürich; Théâtre de la Ville, Paris; Accademia di Santa Cecilia, Rome; BOZAR, Brussels; NCPA, Beijing; LG Arts Centre, Seoul and Carnegie Hall, New York. In celebration of its 20th anniversary, the Quartet was invited to be on the cover of The Strad’s June 2022 issue and was the featured interview in BBC Music Magazine in the same month. It was included in the latter magazine’s list of 10 greatest string quartet ensembles of all time and was described as “stylistically powerful and richly sonorous, known for its passionate and fearless performances.” Since September 2022, the Pavel Haas Quartet has been Artist-in-Residence at the Dvořák Prague Festival and curates the chamber music concerts, which has included the programming all of Dvořák's String Quartets and chamber music works over three seasons. The Pavel Haas Quartet records exclusively for Supraphon. Their most recent recording of the Brahms Viola and Piano Quintets with Boris Giltburg and their former member, Pavel Nikl, was released to critical acclaim in May 2022. The recording was described as “radiant and vivacious” by The Strad, and was Presto Classical’s Recording of the Week. For their previous album of Shostakovich String Quartets (2019), they received the Recording of the Year by Classic Prague Awards and were named one of the 100 best records of the year by The Times. The Quartet received their five Gramophone Awards for their recordings of Dvořák, Smetana, Schubert, Janáček and Haas, as well as Dvořák’s String Quartets No.12 ‘American’ and No.13, for which they were awarded the most coveted prize, Gramophone Recording of the Year in 2011. The Sunday Times commented: “their account of the ‘American’ Quartet belongs alongside the greatest performances on disc.” Further accolades include BBC Music Magazine Awards and the Diapason d’Or de l’Année in 2010 for their recording of Prokofiev String Quartets Nos. 1 & 2. Since winning the Paolo Borciani competition in Italy in 2005, further highlights early on in their career have included the nomination as ECHO Rising Stars in 2007, the participation in the BBC New Generation Artists scheme between 2007–2009 and the Special Ensemble Scholarship the Borletti-Buitoni Trust awarded to them in 2010. The Quartet is based in Prague and studied with the late Milan Škampa, the legendary violist of the Smetana Quartet. They take their name from the Czech-Jewish composer Pavel Haas (1899–1944) who was imprisoned at Theresienstadt in 1941 and tragically died at Auschwitz three years later. His legacy includes three wonderful string quartets. Besides playing in the quartet, Peter appears regularly at the most renowned concert halls and festivals and is a sought-after teacher at chamber music masterclasses around the world. Read more
Adrien Partier, cello
Yuen Ho Zhou, piano Johann Nepomuk Hummel: Piano Trio No.1 in E Flat major, Op.12, I. Allegro agitato Clarence Cheung, violin
Carson Cheng, cello
Michelle Cheung, piano Students coached by Peter Jarůšek, cello Bios Peter Jarůšek has been cellist of the Pavel Haas Quartet since 2004. The Pavel Haas Quartet is revered across the globe for its richness of timbre, infectious passion and intuitive rapport. Performing at the world’s most prestigious concert halls and having won five Gramophone Awards and numerous others for their recordings, the Quartet is firmly established as one of the world’s foremost chamber ensembles. The Quartet appears at major venues including Wigmore Hall, London; Philharmonie and Konzerthaus, Berlin; Musikverein, Vienna; Elbphilharmonie, Hamburg; Concertgebouw and Muziekgebouw, Amsterdam; Tonhalle, Zürich; Théâtre de la Ville, Paris; Accademia di Santa Cecilia, Rome; BOZAR, Brussels; NCPA, Beijing; LG Arts Centre, Seoul and Carnegie Hall, New York. In celebration of its 20th anniversary, the Quartet was invited to be on the cover of The Strad’s June 2022 issue and was the featured interview in BBC Music Magazine in the same month. It was included in the latter magazine’s list of 10 greatest string quartet ensembles of all time and was described as “stylistically powerful and richly sonorous, known for its passionate and fearless performances.” Since September 2022, the Pavel Haas Quartet has been Artist-in-Residence at the Dvořák Prague Festival and curates the chamber music concerts, which has included the programming all of Dvořák's String Quartets and chamber music works over three seasons. The Pavel Haas Quartet records exclusively for Supraphon. Their most recent recording of the Brahms Viola and Piano Quintets with Boris Giltburg and their former member, Pavel Nikl, was released to critical acclaim in May 2022. The recording was described as “radiant and vivacious” by The Strad, and was Presto Classical’s Recording of the Week. For their previous album of Shostakovich String Quartets (2019), they received the Recording of the Year by Classic Prague Awards and were named one of the 100 best records of the year by The Times. The Quartet received their five Gramophone Awards for their recordings of Dvořák, Smetana, Schubert, Janáček and Haas, as well as Dvořák’s String Quartets No.12 ‘American’ and No.13, for which they were awarded the most coveted prize, Gramophone Recording of the Year in 2011. The Sunday Times commented: “their account of the ‘American’ Quartet belongs alongside the greatest performances on disc.” Further accolades include BBC Music Magazine Awards and the Diapason d’Or de l’Année in 2010 for their recording of Prokofiev String Quartets Nos. 1 & 2. Since winning the Paolo Borciani competition in Italy in 2005, further highlights early on in their career have included the nomination as ECHO Rising Stars in 2007, the participation in the BBC New Generation Artists scheme between 2007–2009 and the Special Ensemble Scholarship the Borletti-Buitoni Trust awarded to them in 2010. The Quartet is based in Prague and studied with the late Milan Škampa, the legendary violist of the Smetana Quartet. They take their name from the Czech-Jewish composer Pavel Haas (1899–1944) who was imprisoned at Theresienstadt in 1941 and tragically died at Auschwitz three years later. His legacy includes three wonderful string quartets. Besides playing in the quartet, Peter appears regularly at the most renowned concert halls and festivals and is a sought-after teacher at chamber music masterclasses around the world. Read more