Asha Mevlana
Asha Mevlana (born Asha Mevlana Clayton-Niederman) is an American violinist and travel presenter.[2][3][4] She is known for playing an electric 7-string viper violin and for performing with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.[5][6] She has released two albums with the string quartet Invert and one with the Australian rock band Porcelain.
Asha Mevlana | |
---|---|
Birth name | Asha Mevlana Clayton-Niederman |
Origin | Boston |
Genres | Rock, classical |
Occupation(s) | Violinist, violist |
Instruments | Violin, Viola, 7-string electric viper violin |
Associated acts | Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Porcelain,[1] Invert |
Website | Official Asha Mevlana Website |
Biography
Mevlana attended the New England Conservatory Preparatory Division and went on to graduate from Wellesley College with a degree in viola performance. After graduation she moved to New York City, where she began working in public relations for Zagat Survey. In 1999 Mevlana was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 24.[7][8] She underwent surgery, chemotherapy and radiation and left her job with Zagat and began working as a music teacher and as an outreach coordinator for the Young Survival Coalition. Mevlana was presented with the Gilda Radner Award by The Wellness Community in 2004.[9]
Career
While in New York and undergoing chemotherapy, Mevlana began performing with the alternative string quartet Invert, with whom she released two albums.[10] In 2003 she moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career as an electric violinist and has since performed with artists such as Alanis Morissette, Enrique Iglesias, Roger Daltrey, Dee Snider and the Jonas Brothers.[11] Mevlana has also performed Crazy with Gnarls Barkley.[12][13] Mevlana's TV appearances include The Tonight Show with Jay Leno Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, the Grammy Awards, the MTV Movie Awards and American Idol.
Mevlana was also part of Porcelain, an Australian rock band signed to Universal Records[14] which toured around North America.[15] In 2009 the band's first single, The Last Song, was named the Daily Telegraph's 'single of the week' and was aired on national radio in Australia.[16] In 2011 Mevlana was hired as the string director and soloist for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra West Coast Tour and has toured around North America and Europe.[17][18][19][20]
Melvana has also worked as a director and her debut documentary short Driven was released in 2011.[21] She was also featured in the Travel Channel pilots Lost Weekend[22] and Destination Showdown as well as the Travel Presenter for Viator.com's web series.[23]
Her "Amplified Tiny House" was featured on Tiny House Nation on March 4, 2017 on FYI Network.[24]
Discography
Albums with Invert
- Invert (2000)
- Between the Seconds (2003)[25]
With Porcelain
Albums
- The Last Song (I'm Wasting On You) (2010)
Singles
- Again
- The Last Song (I'm Wasting On You)[26]
References
- Fuller, Bree. "Wollongong band Porcelain head home". Illawarra Mercury. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
- Braunshweiger, Jennifer (December 2001). "My Reason to Celebrate" (PDF). Mademoiselle Magazine. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-11-08. Retrieved 2014-11-08.
- Newman, Judith (October 2000). "The New Survivors" (PDF). Self Magazine. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-11-08. Retrieved 2014-11-08.
- Delinsky, Barbara (2011). Uplift. New York: Washington Square Press. ISBN 0-7434-3137-5. Retrieved November 8, 2014.
- Wolgamott, L Kent. "Snow inside, striking lights, theatrical prog rock — Trans-Siberian Orchestra at Pinnacle Bank Arena". Journal Star. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
- Feldman, David B. (2014). Supersurvivors. Harper Collins. pp. 1–10, 175–181, 192–193, 196–198. ISBN 978-0-06-226785-6.
- Zulkifli, Fatimah. "Breast Cancer at the Age of 24". NBC Los Angeles. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
- Schaffer, Amanda. "Too Young for This: Facing Cancer Under 40". NYT. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
- Listing of 2004 Wellness Community awards Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine.
- Swann, Leah (December 1, 2008). "Building the Better Player". Strings Magazine. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
- Holloway, Amanda (April 2006). "Pump Up the Volume". Strad Magazine.
- Wallace, David. "Going Electric: Part 1: Electric Careers". Journal of the American Viola Society. 25 (1).
- Feldman, David (August 2014). "Supersurvival of the Fittest". Psychology Today: 78–86.
- Huffington Post. "How the Darkest Moment can Lead to Life's Greatest Success". Huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2014-06-25.
- Caranza, Anna. "From Sydney to Sunset, Porcelain Rocks". NBC Los Angeles. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
- "ARIA Charts: Weekly ARIA Chartifacts - ARIA Chartifacts 22-February-2010". AustralianCharts.com. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
- Colurso, Mary. "Trans-Siberian Orchestra plays Birmingham, unwraps 'Lost Christmas Eve' with a flourish". Al.com. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
- To Tuan, Khanh (February 23, 2014). "Trans-Siberian Orchestra". Metal-Trails.com. Metal Trails Music Magazine. Archived from the original on November 8, 2014. Retrieved November 8, 2014.
- Endres, Markus (January 24, 2014). "Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Live in der Porsche-Arena, Stuttgart". Metal.de. Archived from the original on November 8, 2014. Retrieved November 8, 2014.
- Serry, Michel (January 24, 2014). "Trans-Siberian Orchestra : Bollywood métallique à Forest National". Music in Belgium. Retrieved November 8, 2014.
- Fields, Jenn. "Adventure Film Festival features Boulder filmmakers, athletes". Colorado Daily. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
- "Lost Weekend: Costa Rica". Discovery.com. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
- Lascala, Marisa (October 17, 2013). "Meet Ten People Who've Won Those Dream Travel Job Competitions". Conde Nast Traveler. Conde Nast. Retrieved November 8, 2014.
- "Amplified Tiny House". Tiny House Nation. FYI Network. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
- Stumpf, Doug (2004). Vanity Fair, Volume 67. Vanity Fair. p. 106. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
- Bond, Nick. "PORCELAIN BRING THEIR SONGS HOME". Star Observer. Retrieved 3 June 2014.