Maestro Dr. Jonath Backia Seelan: Director of Music
A Global Conductor, Composer, and Heir to a Legendary Piano Lineage
Dr. Jonath Backia Seelan is the artistic force and Director behind Crescendo Music House, bringing a rare blend of international performance experience, acclaimed composition, and masterful pedagogy to every student. His career is defined by uncompromising musical excellence on the global stage.
The Conductor’s Pedigree
Dr. Seelan’s expertise in orchestral conducting is world-class, evidenced by his training under elite European maestros:
- He holds an esteemed diploma from Maestro Atso Almila of the Sibelius Academy (Helsinki, Finland) one of the world’s premier institutions for conducting and the Seinäjoki City Orchestra.
- He also received a diploma in Orchestral Conducting from Maestro Charles Oliveri Munroe conducting Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra, Pardubice.
This exceptional training has led to direct experience conducting professional symphony orchestras in Finland, Taiwan, and the Czech Republic, ensuring the highest level of interpretative quality is woven into Crescendo Music’s core.
Choral and Compositional Excellence
Dr. Seelan is a revered figure in choral music, with his original secular and spiritual harmonizing compositions frequently selected for performance by choirs, quartets, and vocal ensembles around the world.
- SINGSPIRATIONS: He gained wide fame as the conductor of the 80-voice ecumenical choir, SINGSPIRATIONS. Under his leadership, this premier ensemble was the only Indian choir invited to perform at Handel’s Messiah in the prestigious Carnegie Hall, New York in December 2019 and presented Eric Whitacre’s music at New York’s prestigious David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Centre in 2023.
- He also directs The EIGHT, an innovative acapella group that performs mixed-voice repertoire.
The Piano Lineage: A Link to History
Dr. Seelan’s comprehensive musical foundation includes diplomas in Piano, Music Theory, and Singing from Trinity College London, complemented by additional certifications in Violin and Western Flute from ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, London)
His piano mentorship connects him directly to the Romantic era’s grand tradition:
- He studied under celebrated pianists: PHILIP MARTIN, Ms. ARPI VARDANYAN, Mr. KARL LUTCHMAYER (Steinway Artist), and Mr. JOSEPH BANOWETZ.
- Crucially, Mr. Banowetz is a direct pupil of CARL FRIEDBERG, who in turn was a student of the legendary German composer and pianist, Clara Schumann.
A Commitment to Analysis and Teaching
Beyond performance, Dr. Seelan is a dedicated pedagogue, passionately sharing his knowledge through seminars on Orchestral Analysis and Symphonic Analysis. While his focus is music, his background includes a Doctorate (Ph.D.) from NIT Trichy (alongside a B.E. and MBA), highlighting the structured, analytical approach he brings to understanding and teaching complex musical structures.
Dr. Jonath Backia Seelan’s Philosophy: “Music is both a profound art and a precise science. We teach our students to master the technique, analyze the structure, and ultimately, liberate the emotion.”