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Information/Bio:
Denis Phelan : Sitar Player

Denis has been playing sitar since the turn of the century. He has studied with Melbourne’s sitar player Khalil Gudaz for six years. He spent the summers of 2005 and 2006 learning with sitar legend Budhaditya Mukherjee in Kolkata, India. Currently he learns with from Kolkata sitarist, Sugato Nag, via the internet.
Denis has performed on stage with numerous tabla players in Melbourne, including Glen Kniebis, Ramin Nawa, Girish Mukwana, Afroz Koya and Sam Evens.
A student of Monash University, Denis has appeared with the World Of Music Orchestra, including performances at Federation Square in 2007 and 2008, he has also appeared on national radio.
In 2007 Denis accompanied Khatak and Odissi dance performances with the Bharatam Dance Company, on the stage at the Preston Community Arts Center and the Monash Aexander Theatre.
Apart from playing strict, classical Indian music, Denis is a part of the fusion group Noibara which includes Koto wizard Miyama Tokita. Noibara formed in 2007 and has already played in such diverse places as the Boite World Music Café and under the High street bridge on the Merri creek.
Denis is looking forward to finishing his study at Monash University and returning to India to learn more about the sitar, one of the world’s great instrumental traditions.