Shillong, May 25: The South Asian Symphony Foundation (SASF) Youth Workshop and Concert 2026 concluded with a grand orchestral finale in Bengaluru, bringing together promising young musicians, internationally acclaimed mentors and members of the South Asian Symphony Orchestra (SASO) for an intensive week of artistic collaboration, ensemble training and cultural exchange.
Representing the North East at the residency were Ambasal Cheran Momin from Meghalaya and Themsorin Hannah Ningshen from Manipur, both of whom proudly showcased the growing presence of western classical music and orchestral culture emerging from the region.
The concert finale, held on May 23, featured celebrated classical repertoire including Beethoven’s Coriolan Overture, Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3, and Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro.
Throughout the workshop, participants underwent rigorous orchestral rehearsals, sectional training, ensemble coaching, tutorials and collaborative musical sessions under the guidance of internationally experienced mentors and SASO musicians. The residency created a professional learning environment where young artists from diverse cultural backgrounds could perform together while developing artistic discipline, teamwork, leadership and musical excellence, a release said today.
Representing Meghalaya, Ambasal currently serves as the founding member and president of the Venia Cultural Foundation and the artistic director of the Venia Academy of Performing Arts and Music. His journey into music began at the age of 12 through guitar before later becoming actively involved as a bassist in his church. His passion for music gradually led him toward western classical studies, eventually studying violin at Earnest Music School while gaining experience both as a performer and music educator.
After serving for five years as a government employee, Ambasal made the life-changing decision to resign from public service and pursue music professionally. He relocated to Bengaluru to further his artistic development and later specialized in Double Bass performance. Over the years, he has performed with the Bangalore String Ensemble, appeared on the Kannada television reality program Sa Re Ga Ma Pa on Colors TV, participated in the London International Arts Festival, and worked as a recording artist for South Indian film productions.
Seeking further professional growth, Ambasal pursued an Artistic Diploma in Double Bass at the Friedrich Gulda School of Music in Vienna, Austria, where he gained extensive international orchestral experience. One of his notable achievements included performing with the Philharmonic University of Vienna during a diplomatic concert celebrating India-Austria relations in 2023.
Joining him at the residency was violinist Themsorin Hannah Ningshen from Phungyar, Manipur, whose musical journey began at the age of seven. Over the past fifteen years, she has undergone extensive musical training in Shillong, New Delhi and West Bengal. She holds a Grade 8 certification in Violin from Trinity College London and has completed music theory certifications from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM). Apart from violin, she is also proficient in piano and guitar.
Beyond performance, both artists also shared their long-term vision of strengthening music education, youth orchestra culture, and artistic collaboration across the North East through sustainable arts initiatives and international partnerships.
Through the Venia Cultural Foundation and Venia Academy of Performing Arts and Music, Ambasal aims to establish long-term music education systems including youth orchestras, string ensembles, teacher training programs, school outreach projects, and collaborative cultural initiatives designed to nurture the next generation of musicians from the North East.
The artists further highlighted the importance of creating sustainable development programs through music and the arts by using cultural education as a platform for youth empowerment, leadership development, community engagement, and creative career opportunities.
“We hope this becomes the beginning of a stronger orchestral and classical music movement across North East India, where young musicians can dream beyond limitations and connect with the world through music,” said Ambasal.
