Kahan’s primary goals are to give expression to his heartfelt drive to compose meaningful music and bring people together through the transformative power of the creative arts. He envisions his compositions as an avenue to explore ideas, foster meaningful conversations, and ultimately unify individuals through shared musical experiences. Kahan is also a pianist, choral conductor, producer, and teacher. His works have been performed by choirs and ensembles in the United States, Canada, Singapore and India.
Born in 1999, Kahan learned the piano from the age of five in Mumbai, training for a number of years under Tatyana Dichenko (graduate of the Moscow State Conservatory). He spent his formative teenage years in Singapore where he trained under Jonathan Shin (graduate of the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, Singapore).
Kahan completed a BM in Music Composition (Founders Scholar) with a Minor in Conducting from the Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University in 2022. At IU he studied under Dr. Don Freund, Dr. Claude Baker, Dr. David Dzubay, and Dr. P. Q. Phan. Kahan is now completing an MM in Music Composition at the University of North Texas College of Music, where he has studied under Dr. Drew Schnurr, Dr. Kirsten Soriano, and is currently studying under Dr. Sungji Hong.
Kahan sings in the University Singers choir at the University of North Texas (2022-2024) directed first by Dr. Kristina MacMullen (2022-2023) and now under Dr. Marques L. A. Garrett (2023-2024). He has also been part of the NOTUS Ensemble at Indiana University (2021-2022) directed by Dr. Dominick DiOrio, University Chorale at Indiana University (2018-2021) directed by Dr. Betsy Burleigh, and the Signing Tree Choirs at the Mehli Mehta Music Foundation (2005-2010, 2014-2016) directed at different times by Coomi Wadia and Salome Rebello.
In Mumbai and later in Singapore, from the ages of seven to sixteen Kahan trained as a ballet dancer. He performed in annual ballet performances and completed with distinction exams administered by the Royal Academy of Dance, U.K., up to the Intermediate level. His ballet training has contributed to successful collaborative dance projects with choreographer Keith Newman and dancer Emily Moorer.
As a young piano player and music student in India, Kahan was an assistant teacher in the early music program of the Mehli Mehta Music Foundation, Mumbai for children aged two to six, and trained under Naheed Cruickshank, Founder and Director of the Reel Kids Music Club (CIC), Glasgow, Scotland. At the University of North Texas, Kahan has a Teaching Fellowship, teaching the course “Introduction to Digital Audio Workstations” to two sections of undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral level students. Kahan will continue teaching while pursuing Doctoral studies in composition starting in the Fall 2024.
In the current global landscape, Kahan sees music making of paramount importance. He believes that music has the power to rise above cultural and linguistic boundaries, resonating with audiences on deeply emotional and intellectual levels. Kahan contributes through his compositions, working alongside dancers and artists, and his teaching positions.
