About Us
Young artists bringing music to life.
Our name is rooted in the Sanskrit and Hindi word kalā (कला), which translates to "Art". In classical tradition, kalā encompasses the "64 Fine Arts," with music at its very core. By blending this heritage with the "C" standing for "common time" in western classical music, our brand represents the universal language of creativity that spans across cultures and generations.
Here is a draft to finish that section, blending your Sanskrit roots with the Western "Common Time" concept to define the business's ultimate goal:
Our aim is to dismantle the barriers between the stage, the classroom, and the community. At calā collective, we strive to create a self-sustaining ecosystem where the "lifestyle" of music is accessible to all. By establishing a professional feedback loop, where gifted young musicians fund their performance careers through high-caliber tuition, we ensure that artistry remains a viable, disciplined career path. Ultimately, we aim to curate a world where live music is not a distant luxury, but a common language that elevates the everyday experiences of our students, our hosts, and our collective members.
Our Members
Tapasya Sharma
Founding Member
Growing up immersed in the vibrant musical traditions of both Westerns and Indian classical music, Tapasya’s journey has been defined by a dual pursuit of musicianship and the physical sciences. As a BSc (Hons) Physics graduate from the University of Nottingham, Tapasya bring a unique, analytical perspective to music education, bridging the gap between the science of sound and the soul of performance.
As a classically-trained soprano, Tapasya is a current member of the prestigious Rodolfus Choir and the Old Royal Naval College Chapel Choir and held a choral scholarship at Nottingham Cathedral during the course of her degree. Having recently graduated as a scholarship recipient from the Accademia Europea di Firenze on their Voice and Opera certificate programme in Italy, she has also sung with the choir of Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore.
With over three years of music teaching experience, Tapasya founded founded calā collective to solve a specific problem: the tightrope between being a student and a professional. By creating a feedback loop where our performers are also our educators, we ensure every lesson and event is fueled by active, industry-standard artistry.
Paawan Sharma
Paawan Sharma is an exciting emerging young jazz musician and drummer in the UK. Recently recognised as a finalist at Young Drummer of the Year and now a student at The Purcell School of Music, Paawan is honing his talents and musicianship under the tutelage of renowned jazz drummer Sebastiaan De Krom. He plays regularly with the the jazz development organisation Tomorrow’s Warriors and the vibrant Catch-22 Jams scene.
As a mentor, Paawan hopes to nurture future young talents and teach a diverse variety of genes and styles with an equally strong focus on technique and sound.
Brianna Mgonja
Brianna is a dedicated performer currently honing her craft in the BTEC Musical Theatre program at Arts1. With a technical foundation spanning both classical and contemporary vocal styles, she has demonstrated a high standard of excellence, recently attaining a Distinction in Grade 5 ABRSM Singing (Musical Theatre).
Her performance credits reflect a remarkable range and adaptability, moving from the theatrical stage as Wednesday Addams in Art1's production of The Addams Family to the sacred settings of Rutter’s Requiem with their Chamber Choir.
Beyond the stage, Brianna maintains a strong presence in local church choirs and serves as both a performer and mentor with calā collective. This dual role as an artist and educator allows her to bring a unique, well-rounded perspective to every gig, lesson, and concert she undertakes.