Dr. Dhiren Panikker (he/him) is a Los Angeles-based pianist, educator, and scholar. As co-owner of Innovation Music Studio, Dhiren teaches lessons in piano, composition, and improvisation, with a particular focus on jazz and popular music. He holds a PhD in ethnomusicology from UC Riverside, MFA in Integrated Composition, Improvisation, and Technology from UC Irvine, and a BM in Jazz Studies and Commercial Music from CSU Fullerton. 

A classically trained pianist, Dhiren is versatile in various genres from jazz to pop, rock, and Latin musical styles. He has studied with jazz legends including Bill Cunliffe, Kei Akagi, Ray Santisi, and John Mayer. An active pianist and composer, Dhiren has performed at prominent venues throughout Southern California, including the Blue Whale, the Jazz Bakery, Catalina Jazz Club, and Vitello’s Jazz and Supper Club. Dhiren’s latest album, Moonlight Becomes You (released May 2024), features solo piano arrangements of jazz standards by popular American composer Jimmy Van Heusen. 

Dhiren is a passionate music educator with over 20 years experience teaching students of all ages and backgrounds. He has taught at local arts schools and universities across Southern California including CSArts, UC Irvine, UC Riverside, and Pomona College. He currently teaches jazz piano at Mount San Antonio College, and serves as visiting lecturer at Scripps College, where he teaches courses in world music, Asian American music, and the history of ethnomusicology.

Outside of the classroom, Dhiren is an active scholar whose published research explores the intersection of music, race, and politics. 

Music isn’t one size fits all. Striving for a holistic music education, I provide individualized lessons that meet students where they are while nurturing their innate creativity and musicality.

As a pianist trained in both classical and jazz, I became increasingly dissatisfied with the majority of early childhood music education, which primarily focuses on reading Western classical music. I believe that music is something we primarily hear and feel. My approach embraces sound, movement, exploration, and creativity.

In addition to teaching fundamentals such as technique and sight-reading, I incorporate ear-training and rhythmic coordination to cultivate student’s aural skills. I utilize composition and improvisation to help students develop their own unique voice and connection to the instrument. I also expand traditional piano repertoire by teaching a variety of musical styles from blues to jazz, classical, pop, rock, and Latin genres. This approach helps students develop more ownership and emotional connection to the music they are performing. They also tend to practice more!

I use my academic training in ethnomusicology (fancy word for music and culture) to promote more musical diversity.

Music doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It is connected to community, culture, and identity.

I don’t just teach students the notes. Instead, I relate the music they are playing to wider social, cultural, and historical issues. This approach help students understand not only who these artists are but how their music connects to broader social/historical issues and why it matters.

On a personal level, I believe that relationships matter more than rote musical education. I form close bonds with all of my students, getting to know what makes them tick outside of lesson. This helps me tailor lessons to their unique personalities, musical interests, and modes of learning. More importantly, it helps build trust and rapport, providing a safer space for students to explore their creativity.

If you are interested in deepening your artistry and musical understanding, please email me directly at [email protected].