MEET THE CON BRIO 2025 SEMIFINALISTS
PIANO SEMIFINALISTS

ADI GUPTA
Adi has been passionately playing the piano for 13 years since he was 7. He learns under world renowned concert pianists Natallia Kapylova and Liudmila Drazhnik. Currently pursuing an undergrad degree in Electrical Engineering at IIT Bombay, he is on his way to completing his FLCM in piano. Adi does regular solo and salon music performances.

ALTHEA FRANCESCA DESOUZA
Coming from a a musical background, Althea DeSouza was exposed to music from a very young age . She started playing the piano from the age of 5. She is currently in Std XII, St Xavier's College. A typical teenager, she loves moving out with her friends and playing piano duets with her cousin. Her diverse interests include tennis, baking, drawing, and painting. She has sung with the StopGaps Junior choir and was the 1st runner up in the inaugural Junior Con Brio piano competition in 2022. She has performed at the NCPA at the Budding Brigade Concert series. Her musical talent as a pianist has been carefully nurtured and guided by Emma Gilljam Tillu .

ANIKET ANAND
Aniket Anand, 23, began teaching himself the piano at age 7 in a remote town in Uttar Pradesh before formally studying piano from 2013. He completed Trinity College London grades at an accelerated pace, earning multiple distinctions. Aniket studied classical piano at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London, under Caroline Palmer. His repertoire includes works by Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt, and Rachmaninoff. He has appeared at Milton Court and Silk Street Concert Halls and participated in chamber music and vocal duo projects. Passionate and driven, Aniket continues to explore repertoire with depth and clarity as he prepares for advanced musical study.

ASMI MORE
Asmi More is 11 years old and lives in Pune, Maharashtra. She was introduced to the piano during the pandemic, but started learning formally from September 2022. Asmi was a finalist in the 5th edition of Brillante Piano Festival 2024, in the junior category (13-16 yrs). She was the winner of the 10th piano competition of Around the Globe International Music Festival 2024, in the short recital - youth category (10-11yrs). She passed her MTB Grade 8 piano exam with distinction in January 2025. She received third prize in the 11th International Music Competition of Nouvelles étoiles for the little soloist category (10-12yrs) in February 2025.

HRISHEEK GANESH
Hrisheek Ganesh is a classical pianist and accompanist currently based in Bangalore. He is a graduate from Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Glasgow in Piano Performance and KM music Conservatory, Chennai and has been trained under Dr Adam Greig and Mr Fali Pavri. He has played in a variety of ensembles like progressive metal bands, chamber ensembles, ROLI Seaboard ensemble, etc. Some of the major projects he has been a part of include Dr. A R Rahman’s Pop-Opera project ‘Sempre Libera’ that performed at the NH7 Weekender in Pune and performing with the ROLI Seaboard ensemble in London. He is currently employed at the Subramaniam Academy of Performing Arts (SaPa) where he works as a a piano educator, music programmer and arranger.
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SEAN NOEL
Sean Noel is an 18-year-old pianist and composer from Pune, whose journey with music began at the age of five. Under the mentorship of Ms. Sonam Lodhi at Studio Meraki, he developed a strong classical foundation and a deep connection to the piano. He holds a distinction in Grade 8 piano from Trinity College London, where he performed one of his original compositions as part of the final assessment. In 2018, he placed fifth in the All India Kawai Junior Piano Competition and is currently preparing for his ATCL diploma. Influenced by Mozart’s structure and Chopin’s emotional depth, Sean’s playing is marked by clarity, expression, and heart. He also plays the guitar and drums, allowing his musicality to extend beyond the piano. Over the years, he has performed in several recitals and led worship at St. Mary’s Church for over a decade

SWARA UPADHYAY
Swara Upadhyay, 17, is a dedicated and versatile pianist and violinist from Ahmedabad, Gujarat. With a deep-rooted foundation in both Western and Indian classical traditions, she has emerged as one of the most promising young musicians of her generation. Her piano repertoire includes works from Beethoven, Rachmaninoff, Chopin, Liszt, and others performed with expressive clarity, structural awareness, and developing artistic depth.
VOICE SEMIFINALISTS

ADITI JAIN
Aditi is a soprano and Western classical vocalist from Delhi. She fell in love with classical music watching how emotion and storytelling come alive through the voice, and now strives to express the same through her own singing. She has participated in numerous masterclasses under the Neemrana Music Foundation, working with teachers like Adrienne Chandhok, Jasmin Martorell Moreno, Silvija Raden Kumar, Philippe Engel, and Raminta Lampsatis. She has also attended workshops with Ms. Katia Ricciarelli and Ms. Patricia Rozario. Aditi has performed in productions such as La Vie Parisienne (as Léonie), The Magic Flute (as Dame 1), and Don Giovanni (as Zerlina).
ARHAN KUMAR
Offering “heartfelt engagement,” “steady assurance and a clear tone,” (Boston Musical Intelligencer), and “a voice that told volumes” (Schmopera) Arhan Kumar is a tenor from New Delhi based in the UK. A recent graduate of Harvard College, Arhan concentrated in Stem Cell Biology and Music, with a secondary concentration in Italian. As an undergraduate, he was a principal tenor and the Artistic Director of Harvard College Opera and sang with groups such as the Harvard Glee Club and Lowell House Opera. Upon graduating, Arhan worked as vocal coach and assistant conductor of the Harvard Glee Club, while maintaining a career in cancer research at MIT’s Weissman Lab. Recent roles and notable engagements include Acis in Händel’s Acis and Galatea, Camille de Rossillon in Lehár’s The Merry Widow, Stephen Dedalus in Benjamin Perry Wenzelberg’s Nighttown (world premiere), Evangelist in Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, and tenor soloist in Mendelssohn’s Erste Walpurgisnacht, Haydn’s The Creation, Händel’s Messiah, and Berlioz’s Les nuits d’été. Kumar is also a conductor, having studied with Maestro Federico Cortese of The Boston Symphony Orchestra as an undergrad, and has directed operas, choirs, and instrumental ensembles. He will begin graduate studies at the Royal Northern College of Music this September with Professor Mark Wildman.

FIONA AMAZIAH FAITH
Fiona Amaziah Faith is a singer and violinist, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Western Music, Psychology and English from Christ University, Bangalore. She has done her LTCL in singing under the tutelage of Mr. Augustine Paul. Her enthusiasm for western music, was largely inspired by her father Mr. Faith Ragland, under the guidance of whom she learnt to sing and play violin from a very young age. She has performed as a guest soloist, in various choirs around Tamil Nadu in the past year. She is passionate to perform in operas and musicals and is highly inclined to drama and theatre as well. She has been part of the India National Youth Orchestra and chorus for three of their concerts and workshops held in Mumbai, Chennai and Vienna. She believes that her musical journey continues to be shaped by the people around her, who constantly inspire her and help her grow.

FLOYD STANLEY FERNANDES
Floyd Stanley Fernandes loves to sing, currently a part of the “Cantabile” School of Music, training under Ms Ferieda Havewala. He is an Orthodontist by profession but music has always been his first love. His musical life is a rich and varied series of recitals, and stage performances - as well as being a part of Pune's prestigious Bel Canto choir. Performances always provide a fabulous platform for a vocalist but competitions really push a musician to learn and grow. It is always wonderful to be surrounded by people who love music. To watch and listen and learn from so much talent abound in others. This is the highlight of being a part of Con Brio. He looks forward to being a part of this fantastic experience again this year!

ORLANDO QUEROBINO VAS
Orlando Querobino Vas is an Indian tenor, born in Goa and raised in Macau. Now based in London, he sings with the BBC Symphony Chorus, is a Cantor at Westminster Cathedral, and works with Opera Rara as their Development and Events Coordinator. Recent highlights include Pang in Turandot with Instant Opera, the Priest in The Magic Flute with Greenwich Opera, a soloist in Handel’s Messiah with St. Paul’s Opera and a soloist in Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle with Cardiff Chamber Choir. A graduate of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Orlando has performed across the UK and Macau, establishing himself as a versatile and expressive artist in opera, oratorio, and choral music.

RIDDHIMAN DUTTA
Riddhiman Dutta is a Versatile Western classical singer, conductor, and educator with a strong background in Western and Hindustani music. He is a graduate of Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance, London, and KM Music Conservatory, Chennai. He has trained under esteemed mentors including Professor Robert Alderson, Situ Singh Buehler, and Russian soprano Liliana Shaikhi, and continues his Hindustani classical training with Pt. Ramanuj Dasgupta. He has performed extensively with the Delhi Chamber Choir, Lyric Ensemble of Delhi, and Indian Choral Ensemble at major venues such as NCPA Mumbai and India Habitat Centre. Riddhiman has received accolades for his vocal and conducting work at various international music festivals and choral conventions, including the Magnificat Choral Convention. He Currently works as the assistant conductor of the "Capital City Minstrels" in New Delhi. His artistic leadership continues to shape the evolving choral scene in India.

SHAMBHAVI MISHRA
Soprano Shambhavi Mishra is one of the most sought-after young artists in today’s Western classical vocal music scene in India. Beginning her vocal studies in 2014 with soprano Sunanda Rao Erdem, she has performed a wide variety of opera and zarzuela roles, and appeared as a concert soloist/recitalist on some of India’s most prestigious and iconic stages. Ms. Mishra has appeared in several operas produced by the Neemrana Music Foundation in Delhi and has also performed operatic selections at the International Film Festival of India, held in Panjim, Goa, India, as well as at the Lakme Fashion Week held at the Royal Opera House in Mumbai.
VIOLIN SEMIFINALISTS

ARYA SIDDHARTH MAYUR
Arya Mayur; a 19 year old Chemical engineering student based out of Pune in Maharashtra. The violin has been his best friend for nearly 15 years since the very first time he lifted thermocol cut outs of violins and played twinkles variations to performing large sonatas and concertos. This journey has been just magical for him, and he still has a long road to tread with lots more to learn which makes it so exciting. He finds serene peace in music and being able to express himself through music is a gift that he is forever grateful for.

E. CHRIS HARRIS SAM
Chris Harris Sam is a 17 year old violinist from the coastal city of Thoothukudi. His journey of playing the violin started when he was in grade 1. He is very passionate about this instrument. He has completed his grade 8 with distinction. He loves to play violin and enjoys classical music. He was a finalist in Con Brio for Violin in 2023 and 2024. He is currently preparing for his LTCL under the guidance of Mrs. Eshvita Menezes. He is doing his school studies and is in grade 12 in the computer science group. He is also a sports enthusiast and plays football for the school. He is very honored to be a semifinalist of the Con Brio violin and violo competition this year as well. For him, playing violin is not just about music. He sees it as a journey of discipline, growth, and self-discovery.
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NATASHA JANISA PERIERA
Natasha Janisa Periera is a 17 year old violinist from Panjim, Goa, who began her musical journey from the age of 4. Currently in 12th standard, she is pursuing her LTCL in Violin performance and preparing for her Grade 8 Piano exam. Shehas also completed her Grade 4 in Vocals (Pop & Rock). Natasha plays several instruments including the ukelele, guitar, and melodica, and continues to shape her voice as a versatile young artist. She has served as concertmaster in orchestras and has performed a wide range of violin solos, often praised for her expressive tone and confident stage presensce. Natasha has also performed in various string quartets, trios and various ensembles, developing a strong foundation in collaborative music making.

NIAH ANNE NORONHA
Niah Noronha is a 14 year old violinist from Goa, India, whose deep passion for music has shaped her journey since the age of five. She completed her Grade 8 Violin under the guidance of Prof. Winston Colaco in Goa and currently continues her musical training at the Symphony Orchestra of India Academy, at the NCPA, Mumbai, under thr tutelage of Miss Nazikgul Zhanazarova.

RAKSHITHA SENTHIAPPAN
Rakshitha, aged 12, from Tuticorin, a very energetic and enthusiastic girl studying class 8 in The Vikasa School, Tuticorin. Rakshitha started her music lessons at the age of 5. She was taught with strong fundamentals in violin and Piano by Mr. Daniel Prakash, then joined the Chennai Youth Sinfonietta team as one of the violinists in 2023. Then she developed her violin playing skills from Mr. Pedro Gomez Briceno, teacher in Chennai Youth Sinfonietta. Rakshitha will complete grade 5 in violin, she is also learning piano from Mrs. Mira Ben Rodrigo, Tuticorin. Rakshitha attended a masterclass from Mr. Nic Pendeldury, Trinity Laban at Chennai in May 2025.

RIYA SEBASTIAN
Riya Sebastian (b. Feb, 2008) displayed a keen interest in music from a very young age. Her musical journey began as a singer when she was just 1 and a half years old, inspired by her brothers' performances in various reality shows at both the regional and national levels. She has successfully completed Grade 8 in violin from Trinity College London and is currently preparing for her Diploma courses, aiming to pursue excellence in her musical career.
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SMITHA SASIKUMAR
Smitha Sasikumar is a classical violinist from Chennai, tamil Nadu. Currently aged 17 years old, she has had a profound passion for the violin since the age of 9. She has completed 8 grades of ABRSM and is currently pursuing her ARDM diploma. Her interests are a vast spectrum of classical and contemporary for the violin, randing from Bach to Lindsey Stirling. She plays with the Genesis Chamber Orchestra and the MMA Symphony Orchestra.
