COMPOSER

MUSIC EDUCATOR

INTRODUCTION

Bennet Kuriakose is a composer and music teacher from Kerala, India. Currently based in Chennai, he offers both offline and online lessons in piano, music theory, ear training, harmony, counterpoint, orchestration, analysis and composition. He also provides specialised training for advanced music examinations, including AMusTCL and LMusTCL.

EXPOSITION AND DEVELOPMENT

By being born into an Indian, Malayali, Syrian Christian family in Doha, Qatar, Bennet Kuriakose was exposed to several different cultures from an early age. The exotic melodies of Arabic music, the ancient chants of Syrian hymns, and the Indian film songs and Carnatic music played at home all shaped his early aural architecture. A deep interest in harmony and polyphony led him to Western music, especially to the works of J.S. Bach. These Indian, Western, and Middle Eastern influences unite when he sits down to compose. He was first taught to play the electronic keyboard and to sing songs at the age of 9 by Mr. Charles, who showed him much love and support. When Mr. Charles left for India, Bennet Kuriakose took a long break from music, to which he eventually returned at the age of 18, with a decision to dedicate his life to music composition and pedagogy.

EDUCATION

Bennet Kuriakose is a Licentiate of Trinity College London (LMusTCL). He holds a Diploma in Music Production and a Bachelor's Degree in English Language and Literature. He has been a student of Mr. Augustine Paul of Chennai since 2024, and a former student of Fr. Thomas Chakkalamattath of Thrissur. Learning from such influential pedagogues is the reason why Bennet Kuriakose is a music teacher. He remains an eternal student of music.

COMPOSITION

To him, composition and the study and practise of music are deeply therapeutic and spiritual, and the creative process of composition should not be interrupted by deadlines, judgements or corrections. Therefore, he chooses to paint music for himself alone, whatever his imagination tells him to express.