New Jersey
Dear Students and families,
We hope you have had a restorative summer — a time to rest, reflect, and perhaps let music find you in unexpected moments.
As September arrives, so begins a new chapter. The 2026–27 academic year at Chhandayan is now open, and with it comes the promise of another year of serious study, artistic discovery, and the quiet discipline that great music demands.
At Chhandayan, we believe that learning music is not merely the acquisition of technique — it is the cultivation of a way of listening, a way of thinking, and ultimately, a way of being present. Each year brings new challenges, new breakthroughs, and the deep satisfaction that comes only from sustained, committed practice. We are honored to walk this path alongside our students and their families.
Regular Classes
Group classes will resume on their regular schedule. If you have any questions about your class time, please reach out and we will be happy to assist.
Students enrolled in private lessons should coordinate directly with their instructor to arrange lesson times for the Fall semester. We encourage you to be proactive in scheduling and to prioritize in-person sessions wherever possible.
Certificate Course
Admissions for the Chhandayan Certificate Course 2026–27 academic year are now open, the course runs from September through the end of June. We warmly invite returning students to renew their registration, and prospective students to take this step toward a more structured and rigorous musical education. We encourage all students to schedule their lessons for the semester as soon as possible.
This year, as every year, we look forward to the moments that remind us why we do this: a rhythm that suddenly clicks, a phrase played with new understanding, a student surprising even themselves. These are the moments Chhandayan is built around.
Welcome back. Let's make it a meaningful year.
Warm regards,
The Education Committee
Chhandayan
Nutley
Raga-Based Singing: Private Lessons
Learn the beautiful art of Indian singing with Sanghamitra Chatterjee. This is a private class (one-on-one). Classes are scheduled at the mutual convenience of the Guru and the student. Students receive voice training with basic exercises, instructions on the classical elements of Raga and Tala and learn songs of different types such as bhajan, kirtan, geet, selective film songs, ghazal, regional songs, Tagore songs (Rabindra Sangeet), Nazrulgeeti, Atulprader gaan, folk songs, modern songs, etc. Classes are open to all and there are no pre-requisites.
Location
51 Union Avenue, Nutley, NJ 07110
classes@chhandayan.org; 646 281 4062
contact sanghamitra@chhandayan.org
Tabla: Group Classes
Learn the beautiful art of Tabla-playing in small group classes, not exceeding 10 students. Admission is open throughout the year to all ages and levels. Individual attention is given to each student.
Students learn basic-to-advanced techniques and compositions, as well as essential information to put them into the context of history and theory of Indian Classical Music. They are also prepared for an annual recital usually held at the end of June either online or at the Chhandayan Center for Indian Music in NYC.
Instrument: Students need to bring their own set of tabla. Tabla sets are available for purchase from our store.
Notebook: Every student should come to the class with a notebook.
Dress Code: Casual, comfortable and decent.
Attendance: Regular attendance is crucial to a student’s progress. Any absence should be notified in advance.
River Vale
Location:
690 Beechcrest Drive, River Vale, NJ, 07675
Schedule:
Classes are held every Monday at 6:30 pm, unless otherwise specified. All online classes are held on zoom on Mondays at 6.30 pm. Zoom links are sent to the registered students.
Upcoming Classes:
2026
September 7 (online), 14, 21 (online), 28,
October 5 (online), 12, 19 (online), 26,
November 2 (online), 9, 16 (online), 23, 30 (online),
December 7, 14, 21 (online), 28 (online).
Registration is for the month or semester, not per class. If a student has to miss a class, there will be no refund or make-up class/es offered for the missed class/es. If Chhandayan has to cancel a class, a make-up class or refund options will be offered. Please click here for more details.
While registering, please choose the right number of classes for that month or semester from the drop-down menu. On completion of the transaction, please send us an email or a note mentioning the month or semester you registered for, along with the registration form and transaction receipt.
Contact: classes@chhandayan.org / 646 281 4062
Scotch Plains/Edison
Location:
10 Laurie Court, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076 (next to Edison)
Schedule: Every Tuesday 6.30 pm (beginner), unless otherwise specified. All online classes are held on zoom on Mondays at 6.30 pm. Zoom links are sent to the registered students.
Upcoming Classes:
2026
September 7 (online), 15, 21 (online), 29,
October 5 (online), 13, 19 (online), 27,
November 2 (online), 10, 16 (online), 24, 30 (online),
December 8, 15, 21 (online), 28 (online).
Registration is for the month or semester, not per class. If a student has to miss a class, there will be no refund or make-up class/es offered for the missed class/es. If Chhandayan has to cancel a class, a make-up class or refund options will be offered. Please click here for more details.
While registering, please choose the right number of classes for that month or semester from the drop-down menu. On completion of the transaction, please send us an email or note mentioning the month you registered for, along with the registration form and the transaction receipt.
Contact: classes@chhandayan.org / 646 281 4062.
Kendall Park, NJ
Location:
Bharat Sevashram Sangha of North America 3490 NJ‐27, Kendall Park, NJ 08824
Schedule:
Alternate Wednesdays from 7-8pm
Upcoming Classes:
2025
October 8, 22
November 5, 19
December 3, 17, 31
Registration is for the month or semester, not per class. If a student has to miss a class, there will be no refund or make-up class/es offered for the missed class/es. If Chhandayan has to cancel a class, a make-up class or refund options will be offered. Please click here for more details.
While registering, please choose the right number of classes for that month or semester from the drop-down menu. On completion of the transaction, please send us an email or a note mentioning the month or semester you registered for, along with the registration form and transaction receipt.
Contact: classes@chhandayan.org / 646 281 4062
Hillsborough
Maulik Mehta Residence
17 Lucas Drive, Hillsborough, NJ 08844
classes@tabla.org; 646 281 4062 / 908 494 4653
Thursdays 5 PM onwards, at times individually agreed upon with instructor,
All classes are 45 mts duration.
Spring 2026 Schedule:
September 9, 17, 24
October 1, 8, 15, 22
November 5, 12, 19
Registration is for the month or semester, not per class. If a student has to miss a class, there will be no refund or make-up class/es offered for the missed class/es. If Chhandayan has to cancel a class, a make-up class or refund options will be offered. Please click here for more details.
While registering, please choose the right number of classes for that month or semester from the drop-down menu. On completion of the transaction, please send us an email or a note to 646 281 4062 mentioning the month or semester you registered for, along with the registration form and the transaction receipt.
Price : $400 if paying by check or use the PayPal button below (the Paypal price includes a 3% fee to cover PayPal charges). This covers all 10 classes in the semester.
Tabla: Private Lessons
Private Lesson with Samir Chatterjee
Learn Tabla under the careful guidance of Samir Chatterjee. This is one-on-one private lesson scheduled according to mutual convenience. Techniques, intonation, simple to advanced compositions in various talas (rhythm cycles) and layas (tempo) are taught together with essential information related to the subject.
Samir Chatterjee also teaches Indian rhythm and theory of Indian music. He has been on the faculty at several reputed institutions and authored several books and articles on tabla and Indian music.
Each Lesson is 50 minutes long.
Learn the beautiful art of playing Tabla with Dibyarka Chatterjee. This is a private class (one-on-one). Classes are scheduled at the mutual convenience of the Guru and the student. Students learn technique, intonation, simple to advanced compositions in various talas (rhythm cycles) and layas (tempi). Each class is one hour long.
Location
51 Union Avenue, Nutley, NJ 07110
classes@chhandayan.org; 973 460 5282
Contact: dibyarka@chhandayan.org