About
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Sahasra Chakkirala (B.2005) (She/Her/Hers) is a composer, classical guitarist, pipe organist, and educator based in Tucson, Arizona. Known for blending innovation with emotional depth, her music transports listeners into rich, multi-layered sonic worlds. With a distinctive voice that combines narrative-driven storytelling, minimalist textures, and inventive instrumental techniques, Sahasra invites audiences to experience music as a journey.
She is currently pursuing studies in Composition and Classical Guitar under the mentorship of Dr. Pamela Decker, Dr. Kay He, and Professor Tom Patterson at the University of Arizona. Throughout her academic career, she has showcased her versatility through solo and ensemble performances, as well as conducting choral ensembles across a range of skill levels. She has arranged and directed repertoire for middle school choirs, serving as a guest conductor and fostering musical growth in emerging musicians.
On classical guitar, Sahasra has performed extensively and participated in masterclasses with the renowned David Russell. She has premiered works by leading contemporary composers, including Olga Amelkina-Vera, and has been an active member of the Tucson Guitar Society Orchestra. As a composer, her original works for guitar orchestra have been performed nationally and internationally, including by the Glendale College Guitar Orchestra and the Essex Classical Guitar Society Orchestra in the United Kingdom. Her acclaimed trilogy Stars—featuring Tracing Orion, Constellations, and The Sky Remembers—exemplifies her immersive, story-driven approach to music.
A passionate educator, Sahasra operates a private studio teaching guitar across a wide range of styles and to students of all ages. She provides private composition lessons for K–12 students, emphasizing both the history and craft of music, and offers specialized instruction in counterpoint, focusing on 16th-century techniques. As a mentor and tutor, she cultivates creativity, technical skill, and artistic expression in her students.
Looking forward, Sahasra continues to expand her compositional horizons through collaborations with visual artists and multimedia projects while writing for guitar orchestras and solo instruments worldwide, establishing herself as a dynamic and visionary voice in contemporary music
Sahasra's Mission and Purpose
Artist Statement
Sahasra Chakkirala is a versatile and active composer dedicated to creating meaningful, personalized music for performers around the world. Recognizing the challenges artists face in accessing new repertoire—whether due to financial constraints or limited opportunities—she offers a unique approach: collaborating directly with performers to craft original, custom compositions tailored to their ideas, instrumentation, and artistic vision. By providing these bespoke works at no cost, she removes barriers and enables passion, creativity, and innovation in performance to flourish.
Her compositions fuse contemporary imagination with classical sensibilities, designed to evoke emotion, spark curiosity, and leave a lasting impression on performers and audiences alike. Through these collaborations, Sahasra cultivates a vibrant, global community of artists, connecting voices across cultures and styles to explore the limitless possibilities of music. Each piece is not only a reflection of her artistic vision but also a shared journey between composer and performer, creating a lasting, meaningful musical experience.