A cultural ambassador of music
Versatile Sri Lankan musician Dinesh Subasinghe recently participated at a summer camp named O’Connor Method Camp at New York City conducted by one of the world famous violinists Mark O’Connor.
Dinesh with Mark and Maggie O’ Connor
The camp drew around 60 musicians around the globe, including those from Japan, Brazil and Nigeria. It was a music instruction camp for violin, viola, cello, and double bass based on the O’Connor Method.
This camp uses American music, creativity, cultural diversity, and improvisation to improve learning for both children and adults who want to take string lessons while enjoying and excelling at music.
Like a cultural ambassador, Dinesh, a talented violinist, guitarist, music composer and director was able to showcase Sri Lankan music there and work with some of the great American country and folk musicians.
Mark O’Connor is one of the best violinists in the World and is a traditional music icon in the global music scene. He is well known for American bluegrass and fiddle music and for jazz and blues.
He is one of the greatest musicians America has ever produced. While participating at the camp, Dinesh also introduced his ever popular ‘Ravana Haththa’, a musical instrument that he created and said to have originated a thousand years ago in Sri Lanka.
Dinesh amazed not only the participants of the camp but even musician Mark O’Connor when he performed American music with his ‘Ravana Haththa’.
‘Dinesh’s performance of well-known country fiddle theme “Boil Em Cabbage Down,” which is the first tune in the O’Connor Method Series, on an instrument from his country’s culture (Ravana Haththa) which belongs to Ancient times, was an amazing moment for all O’Connor Method students to see and hear during one of the daily recitals’ said Mark O’Connor commenting about Dinesh’s talent.
‘It opened many string students’ worlds to see the very first tune they learn on their instrument interpreted in such a creative way on Dinesh’s instrument Ravana Haththa from a distant land.
American Music became Sri Lankan music, and what a beautiful message of sharing and embracing of another culture that was for all’ he said.
Mr. O’ Connor writing about Dinesh’s gifted talent stated that Dinesh was a wonderful asset to the O’Connor Method Camp New York City.
Not only did Dinesh have an infectious enthusiasm for music, sharing, and collaboration, but he also contributed to the culture and joy of the entire camp immensely.
“Since America is the world’s “melting pot” of culture, Dinesh’s contributions to the camp were everything and more that we hope to see at O’Connor Method Camps.
‘The camp was a great opportunity for me to learn various genres of violin and I try to share and spread Sri Lankan music there’ Dinesh told the TV Times while thanking Mark O’Connor and Magie O’Connor for their immense support to follow the camp. Dinesh will be participating at the camps in the next two years as well.
Dinesh is currently on a short visit to the USA for a recording of his composition ‘Nigh before battle’, which was chosen as one of the best 25 compositions at a worldwide competition held by Prof. Joel Thomy’s Orchestra of our Times.
Dinesh has directed music for 67 teledramas and 13 movies including award winning Indika Ferdinando’s ‘Hogana Pokuna’ which is ready to be released soon here.
He is also working as a violinist with veteran musician Mahesh Denipitiya in his programme Del music.