Manoj D’Cruz, a music teacher by profession, has first love for music. His professional career hinges on mentoring students and taking part in music programmes.
He is a certified pianist and is talented in many other instruments, including guitar, with vast experience in the field. He is associated currently with Harmony Music Institute in Salalah, which is nicknamed the Jewel of the Middle East for its weather, heritage and culture.
“I have been in this field for more than 27 years now, and it has always been my privilege to impart some knowledge of music and musical instruments to those passionate about it. I emerged as the winner of Kerala District School Youth Festival in guitar in 1987-88 and was awarded ‘The Excellent Performance Award’ and ‘Welcome 96 Indian Kalamela’ in 1996.”
His spirited enthusiasm in music made him play and conduct orchestras for leading playback singers in Kerala. Being acknowledged as a musician for musical and mega-events has always been a lifelong dream for him.
“I am proud to say that I have lived this dream in my 15 years in the Middle East. My professional life had started in Dubai in the year 2005, working as a musician in Grand Hotel. After spending about two years there, I moved and began pursuing my career in Salalah from 2008, having spent a year teaching in India.”
He started teaching at Salalah Institute of Music and Arts, a.k.a. Symphony, as a teacher. After Symphony, he began teaching students independently. In 2014, he became part of a band called Voice of Arabia, which is quite renowned in the city.
“We performed on numerous occasions and have created a name for ourselves in the local music community. I was then affiliated to a local private school in Salalah as a Music Teacher, and after two years, I joined the Harmony Music Institute, and that is where I currently teach,” he said about his music journey.
Over the years I spent in Salalah, I have had the privilege to manage and conduct many musical programmes across the city and teach many students over the years, each experience different from the rest. I notice a lot of talent and potential among the students in this institute, and I hope to make them reach their maximum potential.”
