Joanna Mack

I play Indian Classical music accompanied by tabla and possibly a third musician. We may also be able to play requested songs. We play for wedding ceremonies and receptions, private concerts and events.

San Francisco-based musician Joanna Mack is a full-time performer and educator. With a career spanning global stages and a commitment to nurturing students of all ages, Joanna brings passion and expertise to every performance and lesson.

Joanna Mack began her pursuit of Classical North Indian Music in 1997. While studying Neuroscience at UCSD, she attended a Hindustani Music class with sitar virtuoso Kartik Seshadri, a senior disciple of Pandit Ravi Shankar of the Maihar Gharana. She had been involved in Western music since childhood but was immediately drawn to Indian music. Recognizing Joanna's inherent talent and drive, Kartikji recommended her to study in Kolkata under the now late Pandit Deepak Choudhury, also a senior disciple of renowned musician Pandit Ravi Shankar. That year, Joanna traveled to India where she fully devoted herself to the pursuit of Indian Classical Music under the guidance of Deepakji. She continued her studies with him in Kolkata from 1997 through 2005.

Joanna then returned to the United States, promising Deepakji that her dedication to learn would not falter and that she would accept the responsibility to teach the traditional values and ideas of the Maihar Gharana. Joanna is fulfilling that promise today. She teaches private and group classes and performs in a variety of venues. She was fortunate to be able to study under the now late Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and continues her studies with sarodia Bruce Hamm at the Ali Akbar Khan College of Music in San Rafael and regular master classes with sitarist Pandit Partha Chatterjee.