Exploring the sanctuary of an enchanting vocalist.
By Hannah Nuñez
Sangeeta Kaur is a Grammy Award-winning Vietnamese-American vocalist, producer and performing artist best known for her spiritual genre bending mantra chanting. She earned her Bachelor of Music degree in Opera Performance at The Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at California State University and her Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. In 2022, she won a Grammy Award for Best Classical Solo Vocal Album due to her work on Mythologies. This award made Kaur the very first Vietnamese-American singer to receive a Grammy for vocal performance in all of history. Kaur is a board member of the GRAMMY Recording Academy, Texas Chapter, owner of Studio Hill recording studio in Austin and prioritizes supporting young artists.
Q: Are there any pieces of décor or spaces in your home that reflect your love for music?
A: For me, the most important thing is to create a home that is healing, nurturing and creatively inspiring. Our house is usually adorned with musical instruments. Our piano is the centerpiece of our home because we often host friends and family with live music always involved. We have a Steinway piano in the house, we love Steinways. We also have a collection of classical guitars because my husband is an avid player. I love keeping my crystal singing bowls as well as my harmonium as these are very precious to me. I use these for my personal healing, rejuvenation and they support my mindfulness practices.
Q: Are you one to have your accolades on display around your home or are they kept away from the house?
A: Every award, every recognition is something to celebrate and to be proud of. When someone celebrates us as artists, it's so important to show gratitude and to celebrate as well. I am grateful to the different awards organizations for creating a platform that puts artists in the spotlight and celebrates them. Through the years, I've had to spread trophies and awards out across a couple of different spaces – it's a reminder of all the blessings in my life. These are gifts from the universe. When we show gratitude and celebrate these gifts, the universe understands this as a sign of love and it will continue to bring blessings into our lives.
Q: As a transplant, what has your impression of the city been thus far?
A: Being in Austin has been wonderful. Austin is a city that is future forward, progressive, culturally connected and has a real sense of community. People here really go out of their way for their neighbors and community– it's beautiful! I was born and raised in Los Angeles, but the community that my husband and I have been able to build and the projects we’ve been able to be a part of, have been so fulfilling. I came here to kind of get away and hideout from the busy life I have in Los Angeles, but no matter where I go, I understand more and more that my mission and karmic path is to serve my community.
Q: Do you have any sentimental objects in your home that connect you to your roots?
A: In the last 15 years I’ve really started to get so much more connected to my Vietnamese heritage. The older I get the more I want to celebrate it in every way. Every opportunity I get, I wear the gowns and engage in the traditions. I think the one place you’ll find the most Vietnamese culture in our home is my closet. I have a lot of traditional Vietnamese Ao Dai and wear them on any occasion that I can. I also love Vietnamese art and ceramics and I often bring little bits and pieces home from my trips in Vietnam.
