Geshe Michael grew up playing rock & roll with his brothers, and helped pay for his first trips to India by playing Arab fusion jazz with the Tarbouche group at Princeton.
During the late 70´s he was trained on the sitar in classical Indian music by Mubarak Masih of Mussoorie, and Desh Bandhu Sharma of Himachal Pradesh, both in the Himalayan foothills.
Geshe Michael Roach plays the sitar
He subsequently performed in concerts in both India and the United States.
In 2008, Angel of Diamond was released, singing with Lama Christie McNally, and 2009 saw the release of A Christmas Kirtan, with Geshe Michael performing sitar and vocals, in conjunction with Mercedes Bahleda of White Swan Records.
Later he has also performed with Krishna Das and positive rapper MC Yogi, whose Vote for Hope video helped elect President Obama.
Michael Roach likes to have small musical concerts at his teachings. It is always beautiful, fun and heartfelt.
What an unusual musical instrument! Very beautiful music!