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One can call it a dream finally being realised. The Future School of Performing Arts is thrilled to announce its presence in Goa, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in creative arts education for both the State and the nation.
There is an echo of promise in the precincts of the Chowgule Education Complex where the school has officially commenced operations in partnership with Chowgule EduInitiatives to deliver world-class performing and creative arts education in the region.
Pioneering creative arts education in India
Co-founded by Antara Ashra as a dance school in Mumbai in 2015, the Future School of Performing Arts is steadily evolving into a leading institution for creative and performing arts education in India.
Antara's vision of creating a dynamic platform for artistic expression has now found a new home in Goa, a state celebrated for its rich cultural heritage and vibrant arts community.
Under the expert guidance of Nilesh Thomas, the Chief Academic Officer (CAO) and an educator with nearly 25 years of experience, the Future School of Performing Arts is set to redefine the landscape of arts education.
Thomas, who has previously led the International College of Music (ICOM) in Kuala Lumpur for 15 years and served as Dean at the True School of Music in Mumbai for 6 years, brings a wealth of knowledge in programme development, curriculum design, and international educational partnerships.
His expertise in accreditation, quality assurance, and internationalisation is pivotal in shaping the school’s academic offerings.
Vision and mission
The Future School of Performing Arts aspires to be India’s foremost institution for performing and creative arts education, fostering creativity, innovation, and technical excellence. The school is dedicated to becoming a knowledge hub for creative arts, both in India and globally.
Recognising Goa's unique cultural landscape, the Future School is committed to nurturing and expanding the local creative and performing arts community.
The school aims to attract artists, educators, and enthusiasts from around the world to enrich this confluence of talent. By leveraging Goa's cultural diversity, historical significance, and artistic traditions, the school plans to create an immersive educational experience that celebrates art in all its forms.
State-of-the-art facilities
With its state-of-the-art facilities, the Future School of Performing Arts will host a range of workshops and masterclasses open to the broader community on a regular basis.
These initiatives are designed to bridge the gap between industry, community, and education, enhance the local talent pool, and attract top-tier talent from across the country and abroad.
“We aim to offer exceptional faculty, cutting-edge curriculum, and state-of-the-art facilities, establishing a centre of excellence for performing and creative arts in the country. Additionally, we are dedicated to transforming formal education in alignment with the principles of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, inspiring positive change through the arts,” says Antara.
We aim to offer exceptional faculty, cutting-edge curriculum, and state-of-the-art facilities, establishing a centre of excellence for performing and creative arts in the country
Antara Ashra, Co-founder of Future School of Performing Arts
Programme offerings
The Future School of Performing Arts will initially launch its professional certificate courses in Music Production and Sound Engineering, with plans to introduce professional programmes in Dance and Theatre in the coming months.
The primary target audience for these programmes includes students who have completed Class 10 or 12 and are aspiring to build careers in the music industry. The school also caters to graduates and postgraduates interested in transitioning to careers in the performing arts.
The curriculum is designed not only to cover core subject areas but also to provide comprehensive insights into how individuals can succeed in the music, dance, or theatre industries.
From day one, the school will focus on aligning each student's interests with their career goals, guiding them in the best possible way to make their dreams a reality.
School faculty
Tanmoy Guha (aka Dhi Harmony)
Dhi Harmony is a distinguished singer-songwriter, composer, and producer from Bengal, India, known for his innovative “Hindie” sound, blending Indian folk and classical melodies with Western genres.
A specialist in music production and vocals from The True School of Music in Mumbai, Dhi’s career is marked by significant achievements, including winning the India Film Project X 50 Hours Music Challenge twice and receiving the Indian Recording Arts Academy Award for Best Alternative Track Recording.
His prolific discography, comprising over 40 tracks such as Zameen, Ud Chala, and Sapne, spans Indian folk, pop, electronic, rock, and jazz genres, showcasing his versatility and broad appeal.
Ali Aiman
Ali Aiman is a Malaysian musician, and a graduate of Berklee College of Music majoring in Contemporary Writing and Production. He has over a decade's worth of experience teaching at the tertiary level in the areas of performance, music theory, contemporary writing/arranging and music production.
Ali also has extensive experience working in the commercial field in the capacity of music arranger, composer and producer.
In addition to that, he is also an avid performer and is an active piano/keyboard player in the Kuala Lumpur Live music scene, specialising in jazz, R&B and other popular contemporary styles.
Rishabh Rajan
Rishabh Rajan, an Associate Professor in Berklee College of Music’s Electronic Production & Design Department, is a globally renowned certified trainer for Ableton Live, Logic Pro & Pro Tools.
With over a decade of experience teaching music production, sound design, and electronic music performance across India, Malaysia, and the United States, Rishabh has curated nearly 100 video courses for MacProVideo/Ask.Video, totaling over 8000 hours of educational content.
A visionary educator, he has crafted courses for Sound Collective, Yousic Play, and Berklee Online, with his acclaimed course on Electronic Music Performance Techniques, available on Coursera, earning a prestigious Telly Award in 2020.
School launch event with special performance by W.i.S.H.
To celebrate the launch, the Future School of Performing Arts is hosting an exclusive event featuring a special performance by India’s first Gen Z girl band W.i.S.H., managed by renowned music producer Mikey McCleary.
The band, which is the country’s first mainstream girl band in over 20 years, comprises members Ri, Zo, Suchi, and Sim, who will also participate in a discussion about their journeys as musicians and the impact of formal training in music and dance on their careers.
W.i.S.H. is currently debuting their first album under the Sony Music label.
This event promises to be an exciting opportunity for Goa’s creative community to engage with industry leaders, explore innovative educational offerings, and enjoy a memorable performance by one of India’s most promising musical acts.