AR Rahman's Bass Prodigy Mohini Dey invited to Berklee College of Music

MUMBAI: Bass prodigy Mohini Dey, who performed first with AR Rahman on Coke Studio Season 3 episode, has been invited by the Berklee College of Music for The Five Week Summer Performance Program.
Confirming the same she said, "They are calling me on a full scholarship." Dey, however thrilled, is not sure if she will be going to the course. "I have been working in Mumbai for so long and if I go suddenly… I know it is just a few weeks and it sounds small like a short span but five weeks is actually like two months of work. I would get to meet so many people there, no doubt," she laughed nervously. "It is a big thing but a tough decision."
Speaking of studies, Dey recently gave her board exams for class 12, despite having a hectic work schedule. "I was like totally going crazy. I wondered if I will be able to do it," she said. "My dad told me to study enough to pass but I was almost ready, so I did not have to struggle much. In the beginning itself, when 12th standard started, I used to study a little when I was free since I didn’t want my studies to get hampered. I am confident of getting good marks."
But Dey does not plan on studying any further. "I don’t know. After 12th, I do not want to study more. Time management becomes difficult for me, with all the shows and recording. Besides, Commerce, Arts and Science are going to be of no use in my music line," said Dey.
Interestingly, after reports of Dey’s dream to work with Victor Wooten came out, Wooten himself got in touch with her. "After that article appeared, he approached me. That was a big day for me… he got in touch with me and we were talking talking talking! Victor Wooten knows me very well now. We keep talking and we are good friends."
When asked if she would be working with him anytime soon, she replied, "Presently he is faculty for a music school so he is busy. But he does gig a lot. I don’t know. He might be calling!"
The young girl has been regularly working with Oscar winning composer AR Rahman on his various projects, as with other brilliant percussionists like V Selvaganesh and Sivamani, and composers like Ranjit Barot and Louiz Banks.