Asha Mevlana

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About Asha

A Boston native, Asha began playing violin and viola at age six and attended the New England Conservatory extension division where she studied privately with Boston Symphony Orchestra members Michael Zaretsky and Edward Gazouleas.

Many years of classical training followed until she ultimately earned a bachelor's degree in music from Wellesley College. Upon graduation, she headed to New York City where she plunged into the world of "alternative" string music and began studying with Julie Lyonn Lieberman.

n 2004, Asha moved to Los Angeles to pursue a full-time music career on her electric 7-string Viper violin designed by Mark Wood. She has toured with Dee Snider (Twisted Sister) and Gnarls Barkley, opening for the Red Hot Chili Peppers and performing at the 2007 Grammys. She has played with such artists as Mary J. Blige and Jay-Z, Black Eyed Peas, Roger Daltry (The WHO) and the Trans Siberian Orchestra. Additionally she has appeared on such shows as The Tonight Show with Alanis Morrisette, the Ellen Show with the Jonas Brothers. She performs regularly with American Idol band and can be seen on the Three Doors Down video, Landing in London.

In May 2006, Asha joined Porcelain, a rock band originally from Australia that is signed to Universal (US)/Island (Australia). They recently finished recording their debut album which will be released in Australia in early 2010.

Asha has spent summers performing at Aspen, Tanglewood, Mark O'Connor's Fiddle Conference, Jazz String Fling at Berklee College of Music. Before focusing purely on performing, Asha taught violin and piano to children and adults in Boston and New York City.

As a breast cancer survivor at age 24, Asha is also active in spreading awareness to young women, and her story has been featured in many national magazines as well as on The Today Show, The Montel Williams Show and Lifetime Television. She has organized numerous benefit concerts to raise money for breast cancer, and if you wish to contact her about a benefit concert, you can email ashamevlana@gmail.com.

Recordings / Live Performances

2007 Grammys with Gnarls Barkley
Alanis Morrisette
Antonio Solis
Billy Bob Thornton
Black Eyed Peas
Cheap Trick
Cindy Lauper
DaKah Hip Hop Orchestra
Dee Snider (Twisted Sister)
Enrique Iglesias
Fenway Park - played Star Spangled Banner for Red Sox-Yankees game
Fergie
Gary Burr (Songwriter, American Idol, Faith Hill)
Gnarls Barkley
Guided By Voices
Jason Mraz
Jay Z
Jeff "Skunk" Baxter (Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan)
Jonas Brothers
Jon Anderson (YES)
Jose Feliciano
Keith Urban
Kiss
Lionel Ritchie
Los Super 7
Mariachi Divas
Mark Wood Rock Orchestra
Mary J Blige
Mission of Burma
No Doubt
Queen
Queen Latifah
Roger Daltry
Ronn Moss (Bold and the Beautiful)
Ruben Blades
String Theory Productions
Three Doors Down
Tricky
Trans Siberian Orchestra
Opened for Cat Power
Opened for Flaming Lips
Opened for Flyleaf
Opened for Red Hot Chili Peppers

Music Videos

Three Doors Down
Marco Antonio Solis

Television / Radio Appearances

The Ellen Show with The Jonas Brothers
Tonight Show with Alanis Morissette
John McEnroe Show with Van Helsing's Curse
Telemundo with Enrique Iglesias, Jose Feliciano, Ruben Blades
New York Metro Channel
KXLU Radio
" The Secret Life of Leonardo Da Vinci", 2006 Violin consultant / performer

Press

Aussie Music Hits the Right Note in the US
US Airways Magazine
The Strad
Gear
New Yorker
Vanity Fair
Time Out New York
Perez Hilton
Porcelain in the News
Daily Texan
Myxer

 

updated 3/3/09