The Founder's Desk
Riya Chatterjee
Founder & Chief Executive Officer · Principal Vocal Faculty, Indian School of Music
“For me, music has never been just an art form — it is a journey of discipline, expression, discovery, and connection.”
Riya Chatterjee
Founder & CEO · Principal Vocal Faculty
The Founder's Story
A journey of discipline, expression & discovery
For Riya Chatterjee, music has always been more than an art form — it is a journey of discipline, expression, discovery, and connection.
A professionally trained Advanced Hindustani Classical vocalist, Riya's musical journey has been shaped by years of rigorous training, dedicated practice, performance experience, and guidance from accomplished gurus. Her deep connection with Indian classical music has given her an enduring appreciation for the richness of ragas, the intricacies of vocal expression, and the traditions that have carried Indian music across generations.
Alongside her classical foundation, Riya developed a strong affinity for Bollywood film music, exploring how classical techniques and contemporary expression can complement one another. This ability to move naturally between tradition and modern musical styles has shaped both her identity as an artist and her approach as an educator.
Over the years, her experiences as a student, performer, and teacher revealed something important: meaningful music education should not simply teach students what to sing — it should help them understand music, experience it, express themselves through it, and ultimately discover their own artistic voice. That belief became one of the foundations of the Indian School of Music (ISOM).
As Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Riya is building ISOM as a modern music-learning institution where the depth of traditional musical education meets the accessibility and possibilities of contemporary online learning.
Her journey continues not only from the leadership desk, but also inside the classroom — teaching, mentoring, performing, and remaining closely connected to the very purpose for which ISOM was created.
Vision for ISOM
Tradition and evolution, in balance
Riya's vision for the Indian School of Music is to create a learning ecosystem where high-quality music education is accessible to aspiring musicians regardless of geography, age, or previous musical experience.
“Every learner deserves the opportunity to discover, develop, and express their musical identity.”
The vision extends beyond conventional online music lessons. ISOM aims to create a complete musical journey in which students can progress from their very first notes to increasingly sophisticated levels of musicianship through structured learning, personalised mentorship, performance opportunities, and continuous artistic development.
At the heart of this vision is the balance between tradition and evolution.
Indian musical traditions carry generations of knowledge, discipline, and cultural heritage. At the same time, today's learners interact with music in increasingly diverse ways. Riya envisions ISOM as a place where these worlds coexist — where students can develop strong technical foundations while also exploring contemporary genres, individual creativity, performance, and their own musical personalities.
Her long-term ambition is for ISOM to become more than an online school.
It is envisioned as a global community of learners, educators, performers, and music lovers united by a shared passion for music — a place where talent is discovered, confidence is developed, artistic expression is celebrated, and musical traditions continue to grow with every new generation.
A Musician & Educator
Before the Founder, a musician
Before being a Founder and CEO, Riya is a musician.
Her foundation in Hindustani Classical Vocals has developed through years of disciplined learning, vocal practice, and immersion in the classical tradition. The study of swara, raga, taal, improvisation, voice culture, and musical expression continues to influence the way she approaches both performance and teaching.
Her experience with Bollywood Films & Music adds another dimension to her musicianship, allowing her to bring together classical discipline and contemporary expression.
For Riya, however, musical knowledge achieves its greatest purpose when it can be shared.
As an educator, she believes that every student learns differently. Music education therefore cannot be limited to imitation or repetition. A teacher must understand the learner's voice, strengths, challenges, aspirations, and individual relationship with music.
Technique
Understanding
Expression
Confidence
Her teaching approach focuses on these four fundamental dimensions. Students are encouraged not merely to reproduce a composition accurately, but to understand what they are singing, why a particular musical phrase works, how emotion can be communicated through the voice, and how disciplined practice gradually transforms musical ability.
Whether a student wishes to pursue music seriously, perform confidently, deepen their understanding of Indian music, or simply experience the joy of singing, Riya believes the learning journey should remain structured, inspiring, personal, and meaningful.
And despite leading ISOM as its CEO, she continues to remain closely connected with music education herself — because teaching keeps the institution connected to its most important stakeholder: the student.
Leadership Philosophy
Student-centred, educator-driven
Riya's leadership philosophy is grounded in the same principles that define serious musical training: discipline, patience, consistency, creativity, and continuous growth.
She believes that building a meaningful educational institution requires more than technology, courses, or infrastructure. It requires a culture in which educators feel valued, students feel supported, and every decision ultimately contributes to a better learning experience.
Her approach to leadership is therefore both student-centred and educator-driven.
At ISOM, teachers are not simply instructors delivering classes. They are mentors. Creating an environment where talented educators can teach effectively, innovate responsibly, and build meaningful relationships with students remains an important part of Riya's vision.
She also believes strongly in evolving with the learner.
While ISOM respects the discipline and depth of traditional music education, the institution embraces technology and modern learning methodologies to make that education more personalised, engaging, flexible, and accessible.
For Riya, innovation should never replace the human connection at the heart of music education. It should strengthen it.
“Preserve the depth of music. Reimagine the way it is learned.”
Message from the Founder
Music has been one of the most meaningful journeys of my life.
It has taught me discipline without rigidity, confidence without arrogance, and expression beyond words. Most importantly, it has taught me that becoming a musician is not about reaching a particular destination — it is about continually listening, learning, practising, discovering, and growing.
The Indian School of Music was born from my desire to share that experience with others.
I wanted to create a place where learning music feels personal. A place where tradition is respected, but curiosity is encouraged. Where students are given strong foundations, yet also have the freedom to discover their individuality as musicians.
Whether you are singing your first note, returning to music after many years, learning purely for the joy of it, or dreaming of becoming a serious performer, your musical journey deserves patience, guidance, encouragement, and the right mentor.
At ISOM, we want to walk that journey with you.
My hope is that every student who becomes part of our community develops more than musical knowledge. I hope they discover confidence, discipline, creativity, emotional expression, and a lifelong relationship with music.
Because ultimately, music is not simply something we learn. It becomes a part of who we are.
Welcome to the Indian School of Music. Let your musical journey begin.
Riya Chatterjee
Founder & Chief Executive Officer | Principal Vocal Faculty
Indian School of Music