Our Team

Dr. Natalie Sarrazin holds a Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a Master’s degree in Music Education from Peabody Conservatory at Johns Hopkins University.

Dr. Sarrazin’s area of teaching and scholarship includes ethnomusicology, Indian popular music, and music education. Dr. Sarrazin is a prolific scholar and researcher, with publications including Indian Music for the Classroom (2008), Problem-Based Learning for the College Music Classroom (2018), Music in Contemporary Indian Film: Memory, Voice and Identity (co-author J. Beaster-Jones, 2016), Music and the Child (2016), and Popular Music in Contemporary India (2019). Natalie is currently a Full Professor at College at Brockport, State University of New York.

An accomplished pianist and keyboard player, Ritesh is a seasoned musician with a wide spectrum of musical learning ranging from Sitar, Tabla to Guitar, recorder, keyboards and piano. He holds and Associates Diploma in Piano from Trinity College London and Grade 8 in theory of music. Over the years he has performed in several bands, ensembles and as a solo pianist in over 500 concerts. His 5 years of research into the Hungarian music education system enabled him to author the first series of music textbooks for public schools in India titled “Bridge to Music” in 2010, followed by a book on spoken rhythms titled “Essential Rhythm Concepts”.

Apart from being the founder of Bridge Music Academy, Ritesh is currently also the Country Manager & Director for RSL Awards, a UK based assessment board specialising in the contemporary arts, in India.