Meet Nandini Samanta | Audio Post-production, Recording and Mixing engineer by profession, Hindustani Classical Vocalist by passion

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nandini Samanta and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nandini, what matters most to you?
The one most important value that I follow is something that is deeply ingrained in my family roots- and that is honesty. I have grown up watching my parents and cousins and heard stories of my grandfather, and how they function at their workplaces, home, or anywhere else. Nothing else matters if you’re honest, if that is the one principle you have then everything just falls into place. you work with honesty, you build a good work ethic. You gain the trust of people around you. Also, it’s not just about being true to other people, it is also important to be true to yourself, and be as authentic as possible, because that is the only way you stand out in the crowd.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I was born and brought up in India, initially moving around a bit because of my father’s transferable job, but we finally settled in Delhi when I was 5. From a very young age, I knew that I simply had to do something different. I had the knack and a bit of talent for singing, so my parents enrolled me in Hindustani Classical singing classes from age 5. Unable to understand such mature and complex music, I got very easily distracted from it and wanted to have something more flashy as a hobby like dancing. But my parents, being obviously much more experienced than a 5-year-old, kept on pushing me to pursue music as they clearly saw something positive coming up.

And the magic happened. One fine day, I fell in love with Hindustani Classical Music as a teenager. That was the only way I was able to emote everything I was going through at that point in life. My friends, teachers at school, as well as my extended family, seldom used to point out that I should pursue a career in the field of music. Since I was a super confused kid at that time, I could not make up my mind. I decided to buy a bit more time, and experience, and so after finishing high school, I got enrolled in a Computer Science Engineering college in India.

After 4 years of experiencing college and living by myself, I realized what I don’t want to do. It can be very hard to figure out what one wants in life, but gets a little easier if you can use the elimination method. For me, it was pretty evident that I am not cut out for a 9-5 corporate life. Maybe a career in music isn’t the most secure path, maybe it involves a lot of struggle, but that doesn’t mean I won’t like it! I gathered up all my courage to break the news to my parents and was very pleasantly surprised when they were so supportive of it. I told them that I had been dreaming about going to Berklee College of Music since high school and pursuing a degree in Music Production and engineering. I was surprised at myself to see how clear and sure I was about this. I applied, auditioned, and finally on December 19th, 2019 (Yes I still remember the date), I got an acceptance letter with a scholarship as well.

I was over the moon. I felt at that point that I had achieved everything in life. Everyone who got to know I got into Berklee treated me like I had won a huge award or something. All my friends, family, and even my engineering college officially congratulated me. But my parents- who always wanted the best out of me, kept me grounded by saying this is only the beginning. Little did I know, that they were right.

My time at Berklee went by super fast- there was so much to do every day that I could hardly keep track of the days going by. I got a bunch of amazing professors and mentors, who were super kind and approachable, and I learned everything I know about audio engineering from them. We had access to some of the best studios with world-class equipment that we could book and use any time of the day, I recorded, mixed, and collaborated with so many artists and engineers. The hours were erratic most of the time, the sessions would sometimes go on until 6 am and then I would have 4 hours of sleep and attend a class at 10 am during the months of peak cold in Boston. But it was all worth it- because I was doing exactly what I wanted to do. Apart from that, I also kept the performer alive in me by doing various world music ensembles- Greek, Qantara, Balkan, and Of course, Indian. Berklee India exchange definitely became a huge part of my Berklee Journey. I got some amazing opportunities to perform at the Berklee Performance Center multiple times, as well as various other places in Boston through Berklee. I also interned and then joined as a part-time sound Engineer for Beezlo Music, trying out my hand at Live Sound as well. This new skill opened up a new avenue, as I started volunteering as an in-house live sound Engineer for MITHAS- MIT Heritage and Arts of South Asia in Boston. Every little recognition and new avenue counted because it always led to something unimaginable. In the summer of 2022, I got an opportunity to record, Mix, and Master a full 15-minute Indian Music Piece for Anubhava Dance company, which used that audio to perform an Indian style of dance called Bharatnatyam in MIT for the Innaugration of their Bionics Research Lab, which was graced by the presence of none other than Robert Downey Jr. himself!

When I started to realize that my time at Berklee was nearly over, it dawned upon me that I needed to figure out the next chapter, I started applying to many studios across the US. At this point, I was fully determined to work at a studio full-time and pursue singing as a side passion. I also gained this newfound interest in Post Production for film and TV and got immensely inspired to work and discover more about mixing in Dolby Atmos. Fortunately, I got selected by Igloo Music Studios in Burbank, California as an intern and trainee. As much as I was excited to start my journey with Igloo, I was initially a little scared to make such a big move from Boston to Los Angeles. Life as a working individual is very different from that of a student in College, and I think that threw me off. I am glad to still be in touch with my Guruji, Pt. Ritesh Mishra, as Hindustani Classical Music, has always calmed me down, and taking a class with him and then singing really helps me calm my nerves. I think that was the only constant among a sea of changes occurring in my life. Nevertheless, I knew I had to since there was no better place to start than the heart of the industry itself. I plunged in, made the move, and 3 weeks into living in LA, I am happy that I did it because not many people get to say what I am about to say- I LOVE MY JOB!

There are moments when times are hard, and I start questioning if I made the right decision. I do not belong to a family of musicians, so everything that I am experiencing is as new for me as it is for them. But I am still surviving, thanks to my parents, my Guruji, my family, friends, and everyone else who has always supported and believed in me and my craft. I look forward to my life ahead and growing as a professional while pursuing what I love to do!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
As it has been only a few days since I moved to LA, I would say I am the perfect person to ask about doing fun and touristy things around! LA definitely has a lot of things to do if you have a car, so first of all, find a way to get around! LA has multiple things to offer. One of the most obvious places to visit is Disneyland or Universal. It is pretty much a full-day trip, and one might need to book tickets beforehand. I would also suggest booking a guided tour at the Warner Brothers studios, where they show you around the sets of some of the most iconic movies and TV shows ever shot.
When in LA- one definitely wants to see the Hollywood sign! Take the 40-min hike up to the Griffith Observatory to spot the Hollywood sign, and also check out the whole city of LA from the top! It really is a breathtaking view.
If you want some scenic beauty, take a drive up to the Hollywood hills! It is so calm and beautiful there, and Mulholland Drive is definitely one of the most scenic routes in LA. Drive a little more ahead, and you reach Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, which is literally named as you can enjoy the sunset from there every day. Also, that is where all the huge billboards are! I still have the Hollywood Walk of Fame on my to-do list so I would strongly suggest that too!
When in LA, DEFINITELY go to a beach. Venice Beach is one of the easiest picks. Oh and also maybe drive to Santa Monica, and visit the Getty Museum. That was one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited! One should include Malibu and Long beach in their list too.
LA County has great food and the cutest cafes as well! Urth cafe is a must-go, and so is the last bookstore! Oh and get tacos, it’s easily going to be one of the best tacos you’ll ever have. Tocaya and Tu Madre, both are great options!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I think there’s not just one, but TONS of people to Shoutout to. I would obviously start with my parents, who have been through thick and thin with me at every moment of my life and are still patiently trusting me and supporting me. Right from school, when they were not only focused on providing me world-class education and teaching good values, but also recognizing that I have a knack for music and letting me pursue it, and encouraging me to work hard towards it. They supported my decision to switch careers from being a Computer Engineer to a Sound Engineer and musician, and that’s what led me to apply to my dream school, Berklee, and fortunately get accepted there. I have my extended family too, always backing me up and being ever-enthusiastic about everything I do. My Guruji, Pt Ritesh Mishra- from whom I have been training in Indian classical Music, is not just my Vocal Guru, but also my life coach. Not only has he taught me an exceptional form of music, but he has also taught me to be poised, stay calm, and believe in myself.
At Berklee, I met some of the warmest people and the best mentors ever. I learned a lot from every professor I took classes with. When I look back three years from the present, I feel like there is so much I learned and experienced that I had no idea about! Here I would like to give a very special shoutout to the Berklee India Exchange family led by Annette Philip, where I worked as a student employee. BIX was perhaps one of my most comfortable spots ever, and as a South Asian who had just moved to the US for college, they made me feel like I had a second home here.
And of course- there are friends, supporters, and well-wishers in every chapter of my life- who have been hyping me up for my music and musicianship, and that’s all that led me to this stage today!

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