GBA Lifestyle News
Classical vocal musician
Delhi native Ashima Jain started training in Indian classical music at the age of 4, earning her music diploma 10 years later.
She went on to attend the University of Illinois, studying for an accounting program — but never stopped pursuing music. “I joined a unique fusion a-cappella group, whose repertoire combined everything from English pop favorites to Hindi film songs.”
After two years of working in the US, Jain moved to Hong Kong in 2015. She auditioned for Grace Notes, an a-capella female show choir that promotes international music culture in Hong Kong through performances at popular venues as well as at schools, churches and with governmental organizations. Part of the Hong Kong Women’s Choir, the group donates proceeds from performances towards local charities in support of causes like children’s education, women’s rights, and helping the underprivileged.
“I auditioned as soon as I moved into Hong Kong and was happy to earn the opportunity to sing a wide variety of a-cappella arrangements with the brilliant ladies.” says Jain. She is a prominent member of the group, having been involved in its marketing efforts on top of performing. Previously an alto, she now performs in the soprano section. The group has performed music styles ranging from jazz, soul music, pop, R&B, contemporary and creative renditions of Christmas favorites.
Outside of her work with Grace Notes, she previously worked as a business developer at PlanBooks, a New Delhi-based startup that aims to save companies from the deluge of internal emails that Jain says is “one of the biggest drivers of inefficiencies in the corporate world today.” Today, she focuses her efforts on expanding the company by incorporating it in Hong Kong and reaching out to potential clients.
Her first job? “Internship with accounting firm EY in the US [which she later joined full-time].”
Her role model? “Actor Priyanka Chopra, not because I secretly want to be a star — but because she has proven that in today’s world, a talented hard working individual can break all geographical boundaries.”
