Kamal Ahmad’s musical journey began with tabla before he was introduced to sitar by his elder sister. He soon sought out formal training under the guidance of sarod maestro Arnab Chakrabarty, who later introduced him to sitar virtuoso Vinayak Chittar and scholar-vocalist Pandit Arijit Mahalanabis. Despite starting his musical training later than most, Kamal’s relentless dedication and critical approach to learning enabled him to make rapid progress. His intense focus on efficient methods allowed him to overcome the challenges posed by his late start and become a proficient sitar player.

Kamal's pursuit of excellence extends beyond his own performance. His approach to teaching raga music is shaped by his continuous desire for self-improvement, instilling in his students the same analytical mindset that has propelled his own growth. As a teacher, he emphasizes the importance of constant refinement, encouraging his students to engage critically with their practice. Kamal’s journey is a testament to the power of discipline, passion, and the drive to evolve, regardless of when one embarks on their musical path.

Shivneel joined Riyaaz in December, 2025 as our Dholak Instructor. He started off in the music industry playing for local singers at jaagrans and bhajans. He quickly expanded his talents to Bollywood, Sufi, Punjabi, Tamil, and Western music. He has had the privilege of playing with local artists such as Geetesh Iyer, Nishant Bordia,& Ishmeet Narula. He has also had the opportunity to accompany famous artists such as Javed Bashir, Bappi Lehri, Komal Rizvi, Naeem Abbas Rufi, Dhruv Sangari, Miss Pooja, Amrit Mann, Amrinder Gill, and many more.

Charles Lloyd is a Bay Area-based Guitar and Sitar Player. His journey with the guitar began as a young kid. After acquiring some basic lessons he set off figuring out how to play all his favorite rock and folk songs, teaching himself along the way and getting into all things guitar. He played in rock and jazz bands throughout high school, and developed a lifelong love and passion for creating, performing, and recording music. 

After this beginning, he continued his music studies at Berklee College of Music (B.M. ’05, Jazz Composition) in Boston, MA. He returned to the Bay Area in 2005 and began his study of sitar with Pandit Habib Khan (Gandha Bandhan Disciple, 2014). During this time, he also continued his music education at Mills College in Oakland (MFA 2012, Performance and Literature) focusing on classical guitar and sitar performance through composition, orchestration, and musicology. 

Throughout this time he has always immersed himself in creating, performing, and recording. For the past 15 years he has been a member of Oakland-based rock band Whiskerman, and has had the pleasure to perform at venues and festivals across the United States and internationally. 

As an educator, he has taught music formally and privately for over 20 years to students of all ages. He currently serves as the Music Director at the California School for the Blind (CA Credential) in Fremont, CA (2019-present). Teaching music is a lifelong passion for him, and he has been privileged to share music with thousands of students over the years.  

As a musical artist Charles continue to study, create, collaborate, and make as much noise as he can. He believes that one of the great gifts of practicing music is the friendships and community one can build along the journey. He lives in Oakland, CA with his wife and 3 yr old son.

Nik Bartunek is a California-based musician and songwriter with over 14 years of experience performing across the Bay Area and the West Coast. Formerly the frontman of indie rock and alternative bands Picture Atlantic and Talk, Nik has built a reputation for his heartfelt songwriting, genre-blending style, and captivating vocal performances. Now pursuing a solo career, Nik released his first solo project in February 2021—a collection that showcases his ability to blend a wide range of styles while maintaining a sound that is uniquely his own.

Nikolaus’ voice reaches clearly and perfectly, unveiling an endless sequence of emotions that only few singers can convey. It’s a twisted mix of Chris Martin’s purity and Robert Plant’s soul—unusual and deeply distinctive. In addition to writing and performing, Nik offers private lessons in both guitar and Western vocal technique. Lessons are open to all levels, but availability is limited—please contact us directly to inquire about scheduling.