MANA CONTRACTOR
VOCALIST | EDUCATOR | PRODUCER
Mana Contractor
Vocalist | Educator | Interdisciplinary Artist
Phone:
424-354-7515
Email:
Address:
6124 Laird Ave
Oakland CA 94605
A Bit About Me
With her formative learning experiences in the Hindustani Classical tradition, she has studied and performed a variety of singing styles like jazz, R&B, Persian, Carnatic classical and Hindustani Classical music. Her focus on improvisation and fusion has led her to develop a unique style of globally conscious musical interpretation.
Selected Recent Projects and Performances
MALLI | Founder, Composer & Vocalist | January 2021 - present
Founder, composer and vocalist of the Oakland based, interdisciplinary project Malli. Malli, meaning "Jasmine flower" in Kannada, is an innovative band exploring the concept of home. Originating from the personal journey of an immigrant to the United States, Malli weaves together stories from various immigrants to create a vibrant tapestry of experiences. With three core members and a roster of talented collaborators, Malli is preparing to record their fundamental song structures and bring their music to life.Their
melodies and introspective lyrics invite listeners to embark on a transformative ride, evoking deep emotions and contemplation. Malli's music speaks to the yearning for a sense of belonging and understanding in a foreign space.
Lace | Founder, Composer & Vocalist | January 2018 - 2023
Founder, composer and vocalist of the Los Angeles Based Neo Soul project - Lace
Lace is the synergy of vocalist Mana Contractor, drummer Navneet Rao, bassist Connor Coram, and guitarist Sidhant Jain. Together, they stitch together their diverse influences including neo-soul, funk, jazz and South-Indian music into a tapestry of complex grooves, gliding vocals, and lush harmonies.
OVERTONE INDUSTRIES | Vocalist | 2021-2022
Lead vocalist for the Maiden Voyage of Original Vision, a series of New Opera-Theater Works that was hailed
as “an unparalleled creative, contemporary success”
(Un)Covered | Composer & Vocalist | The Sharon Disney Lund Theatre, Los Angeles, February 22nd, 2020
Composed music for a A performance of dance, theater, and art based on Boticelli’s The Birth of Venus.
Crowd Out-David Lang | Vocalist | Walt Disney Concert Hall, June 1st, 2019
Performed with over 400 musicians to bring David Langs piece to as part of Noon to Midnight, where
performers intermingled with the audience, slowly transformed the swirling babble and chatter into a
stunningly orchestrated whirlwind of voices.
NMND | Founder, Composer & Vocalist | January 2019 - present
Founder, composer and vocalist of the Los Angeles Based Electronic project - NMND
NMND is an electro duo based out of Los Angeles Producer and technologist, Mclean Macionis unconventional approach to beats, found sound and hardware synths and Mana with her unique cross-genre approach to melody, harmonies, and rhythmic modulation come together to create an ever-evolving emotional narrative through sound. Their first EP ‘Integration’ due to launch late January 2020 focuses on the evolution and manipulation of the human voice through technology and live performance.
N.E.O VOICE FESTIVAL | Vocal Fellow | June 21-29 2024
Participated in the Exploratorio Vocal Intensive, a week-long creative residency in Los Angeles focused on collaborative music-making, mentorship, and performance. The program included daily workshops, rehearsals, and public concerts, culminating in the premiere of a new vocal masterwork created by attending composers and performers. N.E.O.’s 2024 thematic launch point was that of "Uncanny: And Open Letter To AI.
SWEET LAND (opera by the Industry) | Vocalist | LA Historic Park, Feb 27th - March 13th, 2020
Performed in *Sweet Land*, an experimental opera by The Industry that brought together a diverse team of acclaimed artists and composers—including Pulitzer Prize winner Du Yun, Raven Chacon, and poet Douglas Kearney—in a collaborative reimagining of American history through the lens of immigration, Indigeneity, and social justice.
We’re Gonna Die | Composer & Vocalist | The Bootleg Theatre, Los Angeles, February 20th, 2020
Composed music for a A retelling of Young Jean Lee’s life-affirming concert play, WE’RE GONNA DIE.
We’re Gonna Die | Composer & Vocalist | The Bootleg Theatre, Los Angeles, February 20th, 2020
Performed and worked with 7 other voices to bring to life Juliet Palmers SWEAT, an acapella opera that weaves a vivid picture of a sweatshop’s inner workings. An acapella opera that exposes the truth behind the
fashion industry.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
Oakland Public Conservatory | Voice Coach | June 2022 - Present
Starland School of Music, Alameda | Voice Coach | June 2022 - Present
Songbird Studios SF | Voice Coach | April 2020 - June 2023
Raphaelle Brochet | Teaching Assistant | August 2020 - Dec 2024
California Institute of the Arts | Teaching Assistant | September 2018 - May 2020
FECAT (Foundation course in Expressive & Creative Arts Therapies) | Faculty | January 2016 - August 2018
Created presentations for the importance of music therapy as a form of expressive art therapy
Curated a list of resources for students to draw from all related to Music Therapy
MELA Music Academy | Founder, Educator and Director | August 2014 - March 2018
ARTIST MANAGEMENT:
Producer-Dada Divas, REDCAT Los Angeles, February 8th, 2020
International Artist Management-Jodhpur Riff Music Festival, Oct 2012-2018
Musical Collaboration Facilitator-Jodhpur Riff Music Festival, Oct 2012-2018
Artist Management-Blue Lotus Festival-Aug 2012
EDUCATION:
California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), MFA in Voice Arts August 2018-May 2020
Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music (SAM), Diploma in Voice Performance and Music Management August 2013-August 2015
Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology, BFA in Textile Design August 2006-March 2011