Teacher Profile: Mehnaz Hoosein
About Mehnaz Hoosein
Mehnaz Hoosein - Award-Winning Singer and Performer
Mehnaz Hoosein, a celebrated singer and performer, traces her musical journey from the vibrant city of Mumbai, India. Recognized for her vocal talent since her early school days, Mehnaz credits her music teachers for nurturing her passion. From her school choir performances to her rigorous Western and North Indian classical vocal training, she showed an unwavering commitment to music. Simultaneously, Mehnaz dedicated eight years of her life to dance, becoming a dance instructor at the renowned Shiamak Davar's Institute of Performing Arts. Her commitment to education is evident in her Bachelor of Art Degree in Economics and Commerce from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai.
Mehnaz's career catapulted to international acclaim with her hit song, "Miss India." Her unique blend of musical style and high-energy dance garnered her the Channel V Music Award and the Screen Videocon Award for Best Female Pop Vocalist. She has toured and performed extensively across India, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Canada, and the USA. Mehnaz has released three solo albums for BMG and Universal Music India, and her songs have graced the soundtracks of several films, including a remarkable duet, "You Are The Reason," recorded with the legendary band, Air Supply, for Dev Benegal's award-winning film, "Split Wide Open."
In 2007, Mehnaz embarked on a new chapter, moving to Seattle and forming the genre-defying band, Manooghi Hi. Their music seamlessly merges Western rock-n-roll harmonies and instrumentation with Indian melodies and rhythms, earning accolades from critics. Manooghi Hi released two albums, "Hi" and "Silence," and performed at renowned festivals like Seattle's "Bumbershoot Arts Festival," Austin's "SXSW" music conference, the "Sundance Film Festival" in Park City, Utah, and various other venues across the USA.
Mehnaz's dedication to education extended to guest lecturing at Antioch University in Seattle for Grammy-winning producer, composer, percussionist, and writer, Barrett Martin's class on World Music. In 2012, she relocated to New Orleans, where she has been featured multiple times at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and collaborated with Indian Master Sarode player, Aashish Khan. She also initiated workshops for Young Audiences of Louisiana, inspiring children and communities through the arts.
Today, Mehnaz is a Seattle resident, teaching music to young children aged 2-5 years at Wallingford KinderCare. Her band, Tikkadoom, explores a diverse range of music genres, from Jazz standards and Rock to Pop, Folk, Hindustani Classical, Bollywood, and World Fusion.
Mehnaz's multifaceted journey, from student to recording artist, performer, and teacher, equips her with a unique perspective to help students achieve their collective goals. She derives immense joy from witnessing the growth arcs in her students' journeys and helping ignite their creative passions. As a voice student herself, she understands the importance of patience and encouragement in recognizing the potential of every student and making the teaching and learning experience positive, fun, and rewarding. To Mehnaz, singing is not just an art form but a means of self-expression and communication, instilling self-confidence, curiosity, and a sense of exploration. She is dedicated to inspire her students to cultivate their love and passion for music into their future endeavors.
Under the banner of "Lessons In Your Home," Mehnaz looks forward to expanding and enriching her musical community, making meaningful connections, and offering valuable teaching opportunities to her students.