Last week the University of Nevada Reno was lucky enough to host two incredible musicians for master classes and performances, Priya Darshini and Max ZT. Despite a very full schedule, they were gracious enough to squeeze in an hour for the wonderful conversation you are about to hear!
Priya has collaborated with a wide range of artists from Pearl Jam; GRAMMY® Award winners Roy “Futureman” Wooten; Jeff Coffin, Philip Lassiter, Silk Road Ensemble’s Shane Shanahan; virtuoso ukulele player Jake Shimabukuro, Dave Eggar, Karsh Kale, House of Waters, and many more. In 2020, Priya released her sophomore solo album – Periphery –and was nominated for the 63rd Annual GRAMMY® Award for Best New Age Album. Based out of Brooklyn, New York Priya has sung for over a hundred television and radio commercials, as well as recorded for several award-winning and chart-topping movie sound tracks.
Lauded as the “Jimi Hendrix of dulcimer” by NPR, Max ZT has performed with the likes of Ravi Shakar, Jimmy Cliff, Bela Fleck, Victor Wooten, and so many more. His band House Of Waters — who release music on Snarky Puppy’s GroundUP Music — have been deemed “truly mesmerizing” (All About Jazz) and “a sight to behold” (Timeout NY). House Of Waters have toured throughout the world including Europe and India, and their latest release is their 2019 album Rising, produced by GRAMMY-winner Guy Eckstine (Herbie Hancock).
Max and Priya both ascribe to a mindful approach to their musical creativity and performance. We discus their musical training and how important one’s point of view can be to success, and how to handle challenging surges of emotion or thoughts during a performance, and much more!. Their insights into the philosophy of a musical life are refreshing and inspiring, and I am sure you will enjoy this conversation very much!
Links and Contact
Max ZT
- Website: www.maxzt.com
- Albums available here and on all streaming sources
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/maxzt
Priya Darshini
- Website: www.priyadarshini.com
- Albums available here and on all streaming sources
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/priyism
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