Rekha, a Canadian born of East Indian descent, was brought up with traditions from both North and South which was passed down from either side of her family.

Originally from the small town of Brockville, Ontario, she came from humble beginnings.   When her family moved to Toronto, she accelerated her learning and began a musical journey.   After pleading with her father, he finally agreed to enroll Rekha in music school, where she began taking guitar lessons and realized her purpose.  

Nick Filippeos first instructed Rekha when she was 8 years of age.   He quickly saw her natural abilities and encouraged her parents to allow her to continue developing as a musician.   Rekha’s talent on guitar enhanced her natural gift as a vocalist, which she showed off as a young child to any who knew her. 

Throughout elementary and secondary school, Rekha continued music studies always forming bands and dreaming of the spotlight.  After careful consideration, another one of her many talents came into focus by obtaining a Fine Arts degree from the University of Guelph.   Although a departure from her original passion, the visual major has aided her in designing all artwork necessary for a musician including a CD package, promo packs and web page.


                                                                 
The year 2000 not only marked a change of the century but also Rekha’s original dream of pursuing a career in music.   Being a perfectionist she felt the need to further her studies at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto to further her vocal training in Art Song and Oratorio.   This experience not only increased her vocal range but the curriculum also fueled her passion for expressing in many languages. Her love of the German language lead her to study Opera vocals at Hanns Eisler in Berlin, Germany where she also became efficient in Italian.

It did not take long for Rekha to show her talents at such notable venues as Uni-Rock Fest in Paderborn, Germany and Saas Fe, Switzerland where she continued performing throughout Europe before returning to Canada.   Rekha continued to perform in Ontario before and after she was honoured to perform at Inaugural South Asian Heritage Gala where she was able to showcase her ability to fuse Indian Raags with alternative rock and new age classical.   All these experiences culminated to inspire the music project Milky Ocean in 2002.   After an arduous six-year journey, we are pleased to unleash this unique and powerful alternative rock collection for your listening.   Thank you for BELIEVE (ing) in the artist known as REKHA.
                                                                 





























  



Music + Visual Art Profiles | Performances, Exhibitions + Charity Events

International Radio/TV
Siesta Radio, Artist's Profile, Berlin's Wind, Hosted by Stefan Pokroppa, (Spain/Germany), 17'
CBC/RCI Radio, The Link, Rekha’s Artist Profile, Produced/Martin Simon Greizis, Hosted/Marc Montogmery, TO 09’
Radio City, 91.0 FM, Music/Art Profile, Bangalore, India 06’
Astha TV, Bhajan Orchestra Performance, Bangalore, India 06’
OKB Radio/TV, Music/Art Profile, Berlin, Germany 01’, 04’
Miss India Worldwide CA, Payal Banquet Hall, ATN, TO-1, Rogers, OMNI TV, Milky Ocean Performance, MISS 04’
Ishstyle, Music/Art Profile, OMNI TV, TO 03’
South Asian Newsweek, Music/Art Profile, CFMT TV, TO 02’
Mr. India Worldwide Canada, International Plaza Hotel, TO 97'
Landesgartenschau TV, Children’s Sing-A-Long, Music performance, Paderborn, Germany 94’


International Venues

South Side Shuffle Blues and Jazz Fest, Busker Fest, Music Performance, Port Credit 09’
Cafe CJ's in Bronte, OAK 10'
Carassauga Festival, Canadian Pavilion, Milky Ocean Performance, MISS 09’
John Fraser Secondary School, Music/Art Exhibit, MISS 08’
Diaspora, Music/Group Art Exhibit, York University, TO 07’
Sherway Academy of Music Student Concerts, Assembly Hall, St.Paul’s U-Church, TO 03’-07’
Kumbabisheka Celebrations, Nimishamba Temple, Milky Ocean Performance, Bangalore, India 06’
Anveshana Rock Fest, Global Academy of Technology, Milky Ocean Performance, Bangalore, India 06’
College Fest, Global Nursing College, Milky Ocean Performance, Bangalore, India 06’
Visual Rhythms, South Asian Group Art Exhibit, Design Exchange, TO 04’
Handicare International Fundraiser Dinner, Crown Banquet Hall, Milky Ocean Performance, MISS 03’
International Kite Festival for United Way, Miliken Park, Music Performance, SCAR 02’
Inaugural South Asian Heritage Gala Celebration, MTCC, Music Performance, TO 02’
Coloursparks, Music/Art Exhibit, Guests Rainer Jancis/Windjammers, Kulturbrauerei, Berlin, Germany 01’
Go Inn, Saas Fee, Music Performance, Switzerland 01’
Fundraiser Concert Earthquake in India, Klub Delhi, Music Performance, Berlin, Germany 01’
Mr. India Worldwide Canada, International Plaza Hotel, TO 97'
The Colour of Freedom, Various Artists, Harbourfront, Music Performance, TO 97’
Reflections, Asia Pacific Music/Group Art Exhibit, Cedar Ridge CAC, SCAR 97’
Uni-PAD Rock Fest, REKHA/The Jan Lessner Band, Paderborn, Germany 94’
Landesgartenschau TV, Children’s Sing-A-Long, Music Performance, Paderborn, Germany 94’
Flughafen-PAD, Group Art Exhibit, Paderborn, Germany 94'

Recording Studios
Metalworks, Mastering by Nick Blagona for CD REKHA-Milky Ocean, MISS 05’
FatLabs, Recording/Mixing by Vikas Kohli on Selected Tracks for CD REKHA-Milky Ocean, MISS 05’
Wellesley Sound, Recorded Unreleased Track, Sun Comes Out Tomorrow, TO 04’
TDS, The Offering, 3 in 4 by Eddie Bullen/REKHA for CD DESERT RAIN by Eddie Bullen, TO 04’
Wellesley Sound, Mixing by Jeff McCulloch on Selected Tracks for CD REKHA-Milky Ocean, TO 03’
TDS, Recorded 14 Tracks by REKHA for CD REKHA-Milky Ocean, TO 03’
#9 Audio Group, Recorded Tracks, Responsible by REKHA, Voice Inside by Robert Sibony/REKHA, TO 03’

Press

Deccan Herald, Anveshana Rock Fest 2006, May 11th, 2006, Edition, Bangalore, India 06’
KALA, Vision of Coloursparks, Anita Balakrishna, Music/Art Profile, Spring/04 Vol.8, Issue 3, CA/USA, TO 04’
Uni-PAD Zeitung, Uni-PAD Rock Fest, Paderborn, Germany 94’


Recognition
Tacheles 2013 Berlin, Film documentary by Moya Javier, featuring Shri Shri MA by REKHA 13'
A Stonebridge Acoustic Guitar Artist, (Canada /Czech Republic), TO 10’
CBC/RCI Radio, The Link, REKHA’S Artist’s Profile, Produced by Martin Simon Greizis, Hosted by Marc Montgomery, TO 09’
World Digital Distribution for CD REKHA-Milky Ocean 05’ via Europe’s leading label BELIEVE, France 08’
REKHA’s music featured on: believedigital.com, groovydrums.com, radio3.cbc.ca, TO 07’-10’

 

REKHA | Guitar, Voice, Performance + Visual Art Instructor


Music + Visual Art Website:   www.rekhamilkyocean.com  
Email:  contact@rekhamilkyocean.com

Career Highlights
Professional Singer/Songwriter/Musician, Recording/Performing Artist and Visual Artist
World-Wide Digital Distribution with Europe’s Leading Label BELIEVE, France, For 2005 CD Release REKHA-MILKY OCEAN
Recording New and Upcoming Releases, Work in Progress
All Songs Written, Composed and Produced by REKHA


Singing, Performing, Recording: New Age, World, Alt-Rock, Pop, Dance, Contemporary, Classical and Spiritual Music
Classical East/West Blends: Singing in English, German, Italian, French and Hindi
Eclectic Vocal Style: Rich Harmonies and Captivating Melodies, Vocal Layering and Filtering, Ethereal and Transcendental
Playing Electric, Classical and Acoustic Guitars: Contemporary Classical Finger Picking Style, Ambient Guitars


*Visual Arts, Specialization, (Methods of Printmaking): Lithography, Intaglio and Serigraphy
Painting, Drawing, Surface Treatments, Photography, Hand Building, Abstract Forms, Paper Mache, Crafts, Clothing/Jewelry Design, One-Of-A-Kind Graphic and Web Design, 4 G iPhone/iPod Apple Hard Capsule Cases


Education 
University of Guelph, Bachelor of Arts, Guelph, ON, CA 1991, Specialization, Fine Arts, (Methods of Printmaking) 

Private Training
Royal Conservatory of Music, TO, ON, CA 2000, Art Song and Oratorio, Instructor Eraine Schwing Braun
Hanns Eisler University, Berlin, Germany 2001, Opera, Professor Renate Faltin
Danforth School of Music, TO, ON, CA 75’-85’, Classical/Contemporary/Rock Guitar, Instructor Nick Filippeous
   

Languages: German, Hindi
 
Teaching Experience and Work History
Teaching Students, 4 Years to Adults: (Guitar, Voice, Piano, Bass, Ukulele, Violin & Visual Art), Classes: 1 on 1, Ensemble & Group Workshops
Contemporary, Classical, Pop, Rock Music: Music Notation, Beginner to Advanced levels including RCM, Recording (tracks for student projects)
Strumming/Finger-Picking/Chords, Rhythm/Lead/Scales, Freestyle/Improvisation, Band/Choir, Original Compositions Breathing/Voice Projection, Harmonizing/Call & Response, Vowel/Shaping, Character/Tone/Range
Stage Presence/Stance/Posture/Dance/Body Movement: Select (performance geared classes)
Children’s Sing-A-Long Workshops: Popular Ambient World Music, Eurhythmy, Relaxation
Surreal Art: Intricate Design Technique, See (*) Under Career Highlights

*Also teaching children & adults with special needs:  Williams & Tourette Syndrome, Cancer, Visually Impaired, Behavioural, Autistism

Guitar, Voice, Piano, Performance & Visual Art Instructor, Iyern [Fe] Academy of Music & Art, MISS 2003-Present
Guitar, Voice, Piano, Bass, Violin, Performance & Visual Art Instructor, NAM, MISS 2010-Present
Ukulele Kids, Large Group Ukulele Instructor, PDSB, GTA 2015-2018
Guitar, Voice, Piano, Performance & Visual Art Instructor, Rosethorn Satellite Child Care, TO 2010
Guitar, Voice & Performance Instructor, Sherway Academy of Music, TO 2003-2008
Visual Rhythms, South Asian Group Art Exhibition, Design Exchange, TO 2004
English Tutor, ICLS CANADA, SCAR, 2002-2003
Guitar, Voice & Visual Art Workshop Instructor, Oakridge Public School, TO 2002
Guitar, Voice & Percussion Instructor, Kinder Klub Schwedterstrasse, Berlin, Germany 2001
Colour Sparks, Music & Visual Art Exhibition, Kulturbrauerei, Berlin, Germany 2001


Performances, Accomplishments, Recognition & Media
Siesta Radio, Artist's Profile, Berlin's Wind, Hosted by Stefan Pokroppa, (Spain/Germany), 17'
Tacheles 2013 Berlin, Film documentary by Moya Javier, featuring Shri Shri MA by REKHA 13'
A Stonebridge Acoustic Guitar Artist, (Canada /Czech Republic), TO 10’
Cafe CJ's in Bronte, OAK 10'
South Side Shuffle Blues & Jazz Fest, Busker Fest, Music Performance, Port Credit 09'
Carassauga Festival, Canadian Pavilion, Milky Ocean Performance, MISS 09'
CBC/RCI Radio, The Link, REKHA’S Artist’s Profile, Produced/Martin Simon Greizis, Hosted/Marc Montgomery, TO 09’
World-Wfide Digital Distribution for the album REKHA - Milky Ocean, BELIEVE, France, 08’
John Fraser Secondary School, Music/Art Exhibition by REKHA, MISS 08'
Diaspora, York University, Music/Art Exhibition by REKHA, TO 07’
Sherway Academy Student Concerts, The Assembly Hall, St. Paul’s United Church, TO 03’-07’
REKHA’s music featured on, believedigital.com, groovydrums.com, radio3.cbc.ca, TO 07’
Radio City 91.0 FM, Music/Art Profile, Bangalore, India 06’
Astha TV, Bhajan Orchestra Performance, Bangalore, India 06’
Kumbabisheka Celebrations, Nimishamba Temple, Milky Ocean Performance, Bangalore, India 06’
Deccan Herald, Anveshana Rock Fest 2006, May 11th, 2006, Edition, Music/Art Profile, Bangalore, India 06’
Anveshana Rock Fest, Global Academy of Technology, Milky Ocean Performance, Bangalore, India 06’
College Rock Fest, Global Nursing College, Milky Ocean Performance, Bangalore, India 06’
Metalworks, REKHA, MILKY OCEAN, 2005 CD Release, Mastered by Nick Blagona, MISS 05’
Desert Rain, 2005 CD Release, The Offering, 3 in 4, by Eddie Bullen/REKHA, TO 05’
Craft Show/Food Affaire, Erin Mills United Church, Milky Ocean Performance, MISS 05’
Woodbine Banquet Hall, Milky Ocean Performance, TO 05’
Aquadisiac, Harbourfront, Milky Ocean Performance, TO 04’ 
Visual Rhythms, South Asian Group Art Exhibition, Design Exchange, TO 04’
OKB Radio/TV, Music/Art Profile, Berlin, Germany 01’ and 04’
KALA, Vision of Coloursparks, Anita Balakrishna, Music/Art Profile, Spring/04 Vol. 8, Issue 3, CA/USA, TO 04’
Miss India Worldwide CA, Payal Banquet Hall, (ATN, TO-1, Rogers, OMNI TV), Milky Ocean Performance, MISS 04’
# 9 Audio Group, Responsible, by REKHA, Film Soundtrack Voice Inside, by Robert Sibony/REKHA, TO 03’
Ishstyle, Music/Art Profile, OMNI TV, TO 03’
Potato Blues, Electronica Group Music Performance, TO 03’
Handicare International Fundraiser Dinner, Crown Banquet Hall, Milky Ocean Performance, MISS 03’
South Asian Newsweek, Music/Art Profile, CFMT TV, TO 02’
International Kite Festival for United Way, Miliken Park, Music Performance, SCAR 02’
Inaugural South Asian Heritage Gala Celebration, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Music Performance, TO 02’
Colour Sparks, Music/Art Exhibition by REKHA, Kulturbrauerei, Berlin, Germany 01’
Fundraiser Concert for Earthquake in India, Klub Delhi, World Music Performance, Berlin, Germany 01’
Go Inn, Milky Ocean, Music Performance, Saas Fee, Switzerland 01’
The Colour of Freedom, Harbourfront, Music Performance, TO 97’
Reflections, Asia Pacific Group Art Exhibition, Music/Art Exhibition by REKHA, Cedar Ridge CAC, SCAR 97’
Mr. India Worldwide Canada, International Plaza Hotel, TO 97'
Uni-PAD Zeitung, Uni-PAD Rock Fest, Paderborn, Group Music Review/Performance, Paderborn, Germany 94’
Landesgartenschau TV, Children’s Sing-A-Long, Music Performance, Paderborn, Germany 94’
Flughafen-PAD, Group Art Exhibition, Paderborn, Germany 94’


Auditioning Experience and Recognition
Bombay Dreams, East Minster Church, TO 03’
Lion King, Stella Music Academy, Hamburg, Germany 01’
Cirque du Soleil, Randolf School of Performing Arts, TO 99’
Rent, Royal Alex TO 98’

Other Interests and Skills
MAC OS X, PhotoStudio, Graphic/Web Design (*See rekhamilkyocean.com)
Keys: 55 W.P.M
Recording with Garageband, Reason and ProTools
Simple Video Presentations with iMovie
Passion: Printmaking/Painting, Foreign Films/Conversational German, Modern Dance/Tango, Travel/Cafes/Architecture, Animal Welfare, Nature  
Performing, creating beautiful music with talented musical people from around the globe:
Tony Zorzi, Mark Kelso, Colin Robinson, Anthony Tyrer, Rainer Jancis and Nick Blagona  
Recording original sound track music for Film/TV. Sounds Like Bliss, (Contemporary Classical Guitar Instrumental Album), soon to be released, Electronica pop rock album, works in progress, upcoming release, all music composed and produced by REKHA
Instruments I like to play other than Guitars: Mandolin, Sitar, Violin, Banjo, Bazouki, Bass, Harmonium, Piano, Synths, Percussion, in general almost anything I can get my hands on.
  

References:  
Music Clips, Visual Art Samples and Promotional Photos available on:  rekhamilkyocean.com
*Additional info available on request