Violinist/Vocalist Jagan Ramamoorthy Blends Indian Classical Traditions with Contemporary Influences at Sierra Madre Playhouse, 8/3/25

Presented by Sierra Madre Playhouse

Sierra Madre Playhouse presents Jagan Ramamoorthy, a violinist, vocalist, and composer celebrated for his captivating interpretations that fuse time-honored Southern and Northern Indian music traditions with contemporary influences, on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at 4 pm. His performances blend the intricate nuances of the Gaayaki-Ang genre (singing through the instrument, a playing technique which emulates the flexibility of the human voice) with a deep knowledge of rare ragas and traditional compositions.

Ramamoorthy has performed and collaborated with a range of musicians in various traditions both in the U.S. and India. His extensive film credits include performing the violin solo for director Ang Lee’s 2003 blockbuster Hulk. He has also collaborated with renowned producers, directors, and composers such as Danny Elfman, John Madden, Albert Brookes, Sam Raimi, Christopher Young, Roger Young, Michael Giacchino, Thomas Newman, and Harry Gregson Williams.

Both Ramamoorthy’s father and grandmother taught him the violin at an early age. He subsequently studied with some of the most respected gurus in Carnatic and Hindustani music, including Dr. N. Rajam and Pandit V.U. Rajurkar, and further advanced his skills with the esteemed musical scholars at Banaras Hindu University before pursuing a Master of Fine Arts at CalArts.

Ramamoorthy is a two times LA-Treasures awardee, which honors cultural heritage and excellence in arts, a two-time Durfee Foundation Fellow, and CalArts scholar.
For tickets ($12-$35) and information, please call 626.355.4318 or visit www.sierramadreplayhouse.org. Sierra Madre Playhouse is located at 87 West Sierra Madre Boulevard, Sierra Madre, CA 91024.

Date:
Venue:
Sierra Madre Playhouse
Organization:
Sierra Madre Playhouse
Genres:
Classical
New Music
Categories:
Live Event
City: Sierra Madre
Price Range:
$12-$35
Email:
info@sierramadreplayhouse.org
Phone:
(626) 355-4318
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Sierra Madre Playhouse

Sierra Madre Playhouse

87 West Sierra Madre Boulevard
Sierra Madre, CA 91024
United States

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Sierra Madre Playhouse, a vibrant Southern California cultural hub with a rich history spanning a century, energizes audiences and the community with distinctive theatrical productions and captivating live performances. 

 

Hailed as a “jewel” (Pasadena Weekly) and “a landmark theater” (ABC7 Los Angeles), it has garnered tremendous accolades for its varied repertoire and thought-provoking education and outreach programs curated with social impact in mind. The Los Angeles Times proclaims, “This is theater from the heart.” As one of San Gabriel Valley’s only performing arts center presenting a broad spectrum of performance genres, including theater, music, dance, film, comedy, and family-friendly productions featuring eminent local and national professional artists, the treasured artistic beacon draws audiences from across the Southland. 

 

The intimate 99-seat Sierra Madre Playhouse offers an up-close and personal connection to performances that resonate deeply, earning multiple Ovation Awards, NAACP Awards, and LA Times Critics' Choice honors. In 2023, Rep. Judy Chu named the Sierra Madre Playhouse as a leading ‘Nonprofit of the Year’ in the San Gabriel Valley. The playhouse was given the honor during the 2023 Congressional Leadership of the Year Awards, which recognizes the leadership and volunteerism in the cities making up California’s 28th Congressional District. It is nestled into a historic building on the inviting Main Street of Sierra Madre, a charming village in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. 

 

Retaining its distinctive movie theater façade and instantly recognizable marquee, the structure has undergone numerous transformations since opening in 1910, from furniture emporium to silent movie theatre to the artistic institution that now stands as a vibrant embodiment of the region’s rich cultural legacy. The Sierra Madre Playhouse fosters creativity that aspires to bridge divides and spark dialogue, all while celebrating the rich tapestry of the American experience and the enduring pursuit of shared understanding.