About Aharon

Multi-Instrumentalist • Teacher • World Music

The Artist

About Aharon


Aharon Wheels Bolsta is a multi-instrumentalist whose musical style and influences span the continents — from the West Coast of the USA, to the plains of India, the hills of Vietnam, the bazaars of Istanbul, the coasts of Portugal and Bali, the deserts of West Africa and beyond.

Passing On The Tradition

Aharon’s Teaching


Aharon has taught tabla, bansuri, and raga vocals to dozens of students. He has also taught internationally at workshops, integrating classical Indian rhythm techniques and theory with body percussion and a variety of Western and Eastern instruments. Aharon is happy to teach any of the following, either in-person or online via video conference:

Instruments

  • Bansuri
  • Tabla
  • Hand Pan (Hang)
  • Drum Set
  • Jaw Harp (Dan Moi / Moorsing)
  • Kanjira
  • Kalimba (Thumb Piano)
  • Darabuka / Dumbek

Disciplines

  • Vocals
  • Body Percussion
  • Rhythm Theory
  • Sonic Techniques
Learn From Aharon

Lineage

Aharon’s Teachers & Gurus


Aharon has studied tabla and ragas with masters Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan since the mid-1990s. He also studied bansuri with Ashok Lal (Mehta) and Steve Gorn. Aharon began learning drums in 6th grade and continued under Tom Donlinger (Van Morrison) and Jim Dalrymple (Cal Tjader).

Aharon Wheels Bolsta Aharon Wheels Bolsta multi-instrumentalist bow

Musicians Aharon Has Played With

Steve Oda Tim White Joanna Mack Manose New Singh Matthew Montfort Bruce Hamm Ben Kunin Jim Santi Owen Annette Bauer Jay Gandhi Gurdeep Singh Kerry Kriger
Aharon Wheels Bolsta students

One More Thing

Aharon’s Style


Aharon has integrated his North and South Indian rhythm theory and tabla, as well as his drums and Middle Eastern percussion, with many styles and genres of artists ranging from…

World Ensembles

  • Fishtank Ensemble
  • George & Antoine Lammam
  • Fared Shafinury
  • Sean Hayes
  • Gamelan X
  • Briana di Mara

Artists

  • Raquy Danziger
  • Sawfan Kenani (Paris)
  • Evan Fraser
  • Khi Darag
  • Jef Stott
  • Dan Cantrell

Global Collaborators

  • Liron Peled
  • Ali Paris
  • Mark Growden
  • Rumen Shopov (Macedonia)
  • Osman Oksuzoglu (Istanbul)
  • Wade Evans

“Aharon’s unique style was honed on the banks of the Ganges River in Varanasi.”

Aharon in India Aharon Wheels Bolsta music

Providing Rhythm For Dancers

Dance Accompaniment


Aharon regularly provides the rhythm for dancers and dance troupes. Some of his favorite projects have been with…

Elizabeth Strong Rachel Brice Nathalie Nayun Miriam Peretz The Levins San Francisco Mime Troupe
Aharon body percussion with Sam Rogers at IBMF 2010 Sao Paulo Aharon Wheels Bolsta Dance