Conversations with Mayuri Vasan

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mayuri Vasan.

Hi Mayuri, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I started my musical journey at the age of 6. I started with Carnatic South Indian classical music. I grew up singing in community events and even spending many of my summers in India, taking advanced lessons and performing there. To this day, I perform where I can and use this knowledge and skill set in other areas of my career. Through middle and high school, I was a part of both concert choir and show choir, which piqued an interest in Western classical music. I never thought to take it up as a career. I was always a science girl and imagined myself majoring in biology in college and going on to work in the medical field in some capacity. Come senior year and the time for college applications, something in me told me to be spontaneous and crazy and apply to college as a music major. I was not fully sure what I was getting myself into, but I figured if I didn’t like it, then I could always switch majors. Well, two degrees and 16 years later, I now have a career that includes multiple genres, and I cannot imagine doing anything else with my life. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It most definitely has not been a smooth road to get to where I am today. Everything I had dreamed of doing did not quite come to fruition as I had hoped. I had been rejected at almost every turn, and looking back; I can understand that either I was not ready for those opportunities or it was not meant for me. It has been very difficult to accept the latter because I couldn’t really see myself doing anything but what I had imagined. For a long time, I felt lost and helpless until I found new ventures and new purposes. I started singing with choirs and got involved in the session world here in LA. As for my Indian music, I found a new outlet in singing for classical dance programs and finding a niche within the session world as well that allowed me to still use my unique skill set. I still miss the stage work that I had always dreamed of doing and so my latest venture has been focused on getting back into that world and seeing what comes of it. 

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a freelance gig musician. The two styles of music I am formally trained in are South Indian classical, or Carnatic, music and Western classical music. I have been learning Carnatic music since the age of 6 and still do to this day. I also have my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in western vocal/opera performance. The nature of my gigs requires me to be well-versed in many different styles, and I take pride in being a sort of “jack of all trades” singer. That versatility is what allows my career to thrive as it does. Some of the styles are Indian classical, Indian film music, western pop, western classical, musical theater, jazz/big band, RnB, etc. I know a fair number of musicians who are very versatile within the Western musical styles, but I know very few who also have expertise in an ethnic or non-Western style of singing in addition to all of that. I take pride in being unique like that and am very grateful that I have been able to also build a career on that. 

Who else deserves credit in your story?
A big shoutout and thank you goes to all my friends and family who have supported and encouraged me along the way. Many of my friends and colleagues have been the catalyst I needed to pursue certain avenues. To this day, they give me ideas on what to do next or help me network with the right folks. I truly wouldn’t be where I am without the support of my parents. Being typical South Asian parents, they were rightfully hesitant about my career choice at first, but they have since come around and are among my biggest cheerleaders. Of course, credit also goes to all the teachers I have had along the way. All my Western music teachers have guided me in some capacity towards the work I am doing now. However, I am most grateful for my current Carnatic music teacher and the support he has given me in my career. Most teachers of that style are very traditional and not always supportive of other styles of music. He, from the very beginning, has been supportive and encouraging of my pursuit of all Western styles and has always pushed me to build something from my knowledge of both. 

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @missyvasan
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN-kpmpWr6Jo638G4Xoepag

Image Credits
Sarah Len
Ricky V. McKillips