Neil Nongkynrih

Neil Nongkynrih
Background information
Born (1970-07-09) 9 July 1970
Shillong, Meghalaya, India
Genres Classical
Occupation(s) Pianist, songwriter, keyboardist, music teacher, conductor
Instruments Piano, keyboard
Years active 1987–present
Website www.shillongchamberchoir.com

Neil Nongkynrih (born 9 July 1970) is an award winning concert pianist from Shillong, Meghalaya, India. He is the founder, mentor and conductor of Shillong Chamber Choir (SCC) which won the reality show India's Got Talent in 2010.[1] He was awarded Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award of India in 2015.[2]

Biography

Early life

Nongkynrih was born in Meghalaya, a north-eastern state of India to AH Scott Lyngdoh, a former state minister of Meghalaya and Elvirial Nongkynrih. He is staying in Pokseh. He is the first professional musician of his family. Introduced to Mozart and Beethoven by his grand-aunt, Nongkynrih learnt most of his initial lessons from his sister Pauline Warjri, a jazz musician. In 1988 Nongkynrih left for Great Britain as a young man to study music, against the wishes of his father.[3]

Music career

Nongkynrih studied music at Trinity College and Guildhall School of Music in London. He did numerous shows as a concert pianist in United Kingdom[4]

Apart from the concerts, Nongkynrih was also teaching music in Oxfordshire. One of his many successful pupils is Phillip Selway, member of the popular British band Radiohead.[5]

In 2001, Nongkynrih returned to India and started teaching piano in Shillong. In the same year he founded the Shillong Chamber Choir. His lead singers are Ibarisha Lyngdoh and William Basaiewmoit .[6]

Nongkynrih is trying to revive the Khasi language with a Khasi opera.

Works and projects

Shillong Chamber Choir

Based in Shillong, Shillong Chamber Choir (SCC) is an Indian chamber choir founded in 2001 by Nongkynrih. The choir shot to fame after it won the reality talent show, India's Got Talent (Season 2) in October 2010, on Colors TV, part of the Got Talent franchise, where it performed western chorals, as well as choral-style revamps of Hindi film (Bollywood) classics. The choir participated in the 6th World Choir Games held at Shaoxing China (Shanghai) in July 2010 and was awarded Gold in all three categories - Musica Sacra, Gospel and Popular. The SCC has performed extensively in India and toured Europe, Canada, North America and South East Asia. The choir also performed for US President Barack Obama when he visited India in 2010. SCC has been featured as a study chapter in the English Syllabus of the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) in 2013.[7]

Honors and awards

References

  1. ↑ "Neil Nongkynrih - the North-East-India's Chopin". India-north-east.com. 2014-07-11.
  2. ↑ Owe my Padma Shri to god: Shillong Chamber Choir founder, Business Standard
  3. ↑ "Bach in the hills". The Indian Express. 2009-08-23. Retrieved 2014-07-11.
  4. ↑ "Beyond the chamber". The Hindu. 2011-12-10. Retrieved 2014-07-11.
  5. ↑ "Neil Nongkynrih". British-school.org. Retrieved 2014-07-11.
  6. ↑ "All Together Now And With Feeling". Tehelka. 2010-10-16. Retrieved 2014-07-11.
  7. ↑ "Shillong Choir hits high note, wins contest – and many hearts". The Indian Express. 2010-10-04. Retrieved 2014-07-11.
  8. ↑ "SCC founder Nongkynrih conferred Padma Shri". The Shillong Times. 2015-01-26. Retrieved 2015-01-26.
  9. ↑ "Republic day celebrated in the state". Department of Information and Public Relations. 2011-01-27. Retrieved 2014-07-11.
  10. ↑ "Padma Awards 2015". Press Information Bureau. Archived from the original on 26 January 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  11. ↑ "The Shillong Choir: A Unique Note". Forbes (India). 2010-12-28. Retrieved 2014-07-11.
  12. ↑ "Shillong choir founder named to World Choir Council". The Assam Tribune. 2012-06-01. Retrieved 2014-07-11.


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