| Asha Mevlana | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Asha Mevlana Clayton-Niederman |
| Origin | Boston |
| Genres | Rock, classical |
| Occupations | Violinist, violist |
| Instruments | Violin, Viola, 7-string electric viper violin |
| Associated acts | Trans-Siberian Orchestra Porcelain Invert |
| Website | Official Asha Mevlana Website |
Asha Mevlana (born Asha Mevlana Clayton-Niederman on October 29), is a Los Angeles-based violinist, who is known for playing an electric 7-string viper violin. Being a breast cancer survivor at age 24, she is also a national breast cancer advocate.
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Asha Mevlana is a Boston native and classically trained violinist/violist who is also known for playing rock on an electric 7-string viper violin and alternative styles on her acoustic viola. She grew up learning the Suzuki method and attended the New England Conservatory Preparatory Division and studying with Boston Symphony Orchestra teachers, Michael Zaretsky and Ed Gazouleus. She graduated from Wellesley College with a degree in Viola Performance. After graduating from Wellesley College, she moved to New York City where she began working in Public Relations for Zagat Survey.
A year after graduating from Wellesley College, she was diagnosed with breast cancer just after she turned 24 years old. After finishing surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, she left her job in Public relations to work as a music teacher and as an outreach coordinator for the Young Survival Coalition (YSC) where she spoke with high school and college age girls about breast health awareness. She also developed and organized with the first annual fundraiser for the YSC called In Living Pink. During this time, she was featured on Lifetime Television, The Today Show, Montel Williams Show, Oxygen and Fox as well as in NY Post, NY Daily News, Self Magazine,[1] Marie Claire, Mademoiselle,[2] CosmoGirl and in the book "Uplift" by Barbara Delinsky. [3]
She was presented with the Gilda Radner Award “for remarkable women who are proactive in the breast cancer community through public efforts including advocacy, fundraising and education and through private acts of personal kindness.”
In New York, she played viola in an alternative string quartet, Invert,[4] which was featured in Vanity Fair[5] and has released two albums, the first in 2000 self-titled, "Invert." The second record was released in 2003 on Capstone Records titled "Between the Seconds."
In 2003 Asha moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career as an electric violinist. It was there that she played with Alanis Morrisette and Cee Lo Green on the Jay Leno Show, Jonas Brothers on the Ellen Show and regularly with the American Idol Band.
She has played shows with Mary J Blige, Jay Z, Enrique Iglesias, Los Super Seven, Jose Feliciano. She has also appeared on stage with Dakah Hip Hop Orchestra, Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, Cheap Trick, Jon Anderson and Roger Daltry. [6] Asha recorded on Guided By Voices record "Universal Truths and Cycles" released in 2002 on Matador Records.
She can also be seen on the Three Doors Down video, Landing in London. She toured with Dee Snider of Twisted Sister in his Halloween Rock Opera, Van Helsing’s Curse for two years and with Gnarls Barkley opening for the Red Hot Chili Peppers on their 2006-2007 national tour.[7] In 2007 she appeared on the Grammys with Gnarls Barkley when they were nominated for Best Song, Crazy. [8]
In Los Angeles, she also joined the Australian rock band, Porcelain, signed to Universal Records (US)/Island Records (Australia) and toured throughout the West Coast and specifically California and Texas. With Porcelain, she has played SxSW for several years and appeared on TLC, Napoleon Perdis Project as the featured band. In 2008, Porcelain relocated back to Sydney, Australia where Porcelain began touring and released their first single in 2009, The Last Song, which aired on national radio and was named single of the week in the Daily Telegraph.[9] Their music video began airing nationally on Australia’s Channel V at the same time and Porcelain was a featured band on Australia's hit show "Hey, Hey, It's Saturday."
In Australia she also toured extensively with Australian Idol winner, Damien Leith.
Being a Boston Red Sox fan, Asha also played the national Anthem at a Red Sox vs. Yankees game.
Asha left Australia in 2010 to move back to the US.
In 2011, Asha was hired as the String Director and soloist for the Trans Siberian Orchestra West Coast Tour.
In 2011, she received a certificate in Filmmaking from Boston University CDIA. Her recent film, Driven, is an official selection for the 2011 Boulder Adventure Film Festival.