VINEEL GARISA MAHAL, tenor, is delighted to be joining Chanticleer for his fifth season. An Indian-American, Texas-raised tenor, arranger, composer, and educator, he has served as adjunct voice faculty at New York University where he received his Post-Graduate Advanced Certificate in Vocal Pedagogy. He received his B.M. from Southern Methodist University and his M.M. from University of North Texas. He has performed with Hong Kong Disneyland, Fort Worth Opera, Cincinnati Opera, and Casa Mañana. He has been featured in works by prominent living composers and originated the role of Roderick in Kamala Sankaram’s The Emperor and the Queen. Some of his favorite past credits include, the title character in Britten’s Albert Herring, Fakir in Lucy Simon’s The Secret Garden, and El Gato in Frank Wildhorn’s Wonderland. In 2025, Vineel curated a concert of entirely Indian and Indian-American music for Chanticleer entitled Choodandi. He has had works premiered by NOTUS ensemble of Indiana University, Montana All-State choir, and the Houston-based treble chorus Casulana, and he remains committed to sharing the beauty of Indian music with western audiences. Under the alias “Elaichi,” he has released original music which is available for streaming and purchase on most major music sites. In his free time, he loves cooking, playing fretless guitar, reading manga, and being a general nerd.
Vineel Garisa Mahal occupies TheTenor Chair, given by an Anonymous Donor.