A Word With Sangeeta Kaur
- Grant Maloy Smith
- Jul 19
- 6 min read
Updated: Jul 20
Born to refugees from the fall of Saigon, Sangeeta is making a significant mark in the music world. She won her first Grammy, and she’s just getting started.
by Grant Maloy Smith
Thank you so much for taking the time to sit down with me, Sangeeta. Let’s start right at the beginning. What were your early years like, and where did you grow up?
I was born in Southern California. I spent most of my life in Los Angeles and Orange County. I am of Vietnamese heritage: both of my parents, as well as my extended family, were Vietnamese refugees. They all came to America during the fall of Saigon in 1975, just as the long war was coming to an end.
I grew up speaking Vietnamese and English, surrounded and infused with Vietnamese culture. This is still true today. My family is huge: my father has eight siblings, and my mother is the eldest of eleven. Currently, I have somewhere between 40 and 50 cousins.
Were your parents already a couple in Vietnam, or did they meet over here?
My parents met at Camp Pendleton near San Diego, California. My father was a pilot in the Air Force. He had come to America by both boat and airplane. My mother fled alone when she was just 18 years old, hoping to make a better life for her parents and her siblings. A mutual friend introduced them. Coincidentally, my parents both had the same last name. Back then, if you had family already in America, it was easier to get placed. So she told the authorities that she was my father’s sister!
But, lo and behold, they fell in love. They were both sponsored by the former Secretary of Defense, Casper Weinberger. They even got to live in his mansion for about a year, something they never would have imagined after fleeing from war-torn Vietnam.
I have a half-brother who lives in Vietnam, as well as a full brother in Los Angeles. We are very close. I also have a half sister in Texas. She is my little “mini-me.” I love them all very much, and I am blessed to have such a big family. I am very close to many of my aunts, who I feel raised me, and I am also very close to some of my cousins, who were like sisters to me.
What’s your earliest music memory?
The movie The Sound of Music. My father brought home the VHS tape, and I must have watched it a dozen times. I loved the children in the movie, and I loved their voices. I tried to imitate them all the time. Then I discovered my voice and love for music. I played violin as a child, and I sang in school choirs from first grade on.
Do you still play the violin today?
Not at all! You’d never want to hear me squeak on the violin! (laughs)
I know what you mean! The violin is tough. But tell me, what led you to sing? Was it a conscious decision, or just something that happened along the way?
I just loved to sing. It felt so good. When I sang, I felt alive, creative, and connected. Even from the beginning, I think I liked the sound of my voice. I initially channeled the kids in The Sound of Music, but then I found my voice. Developing any art is always a journey of discovery.
When did you realize that you wanted to dedicate your life to music? Was there one particular moment?
I think I’ve always been the kind of person to take the road less traveled. Besides that, music saved me from so many dangers in life and struggles. I believe that my little soul as a child always knew that I was meant to bring joy through something beautiful. I have always sought beauty in art, nature, and meaningful connections. I was a very empathic child, and music was very healing for me.
I followed the path of music every time things got difficult or weird. I just wanted to find a way to express my thoughts, emotions, and feelings.
During my first year of college, I decided to dedicate my life to music. At that time, I was a biology major, hoping to become a pediatrician to care for children better than the pediatricians I remembered taking my nephew to when he was a baby. That was a powerful calling, but it still wasn’t enough to pull me away from wanting to understand music on a deeper level. With the support and encouragement of the music faculty at Santa Ana College in California, and under the guidance of my first voice teacher, Melody Versoza, I was able to further my education and deepen my connection and love for music. Even then, I knew there was nothing else I wanted to do but sing.
Do you have a happiest memory related to music? A performance, perhaps, or writing a particular song?
I’ve had so many happy moments related to music. It brings me joy every time I perform, whether in a big or small venue, when listeners are moved and transformed.
It brings me joy to chant sacred mantras, whether for listeners or just for myself. The power in mantra music is so transformative and heart-opening. There is no better experience than when your heart is filled with love, gratitude, and compassion. This is what mantra music does to me.
It brings me joy to accomplish great things through music, such as winning a Grammy® this year. But the Grammy is not for self-satisfaction or validation: it’s a message from God, from the universe, from my higher self, telling me that I am on the right track.
As long as I continue to do things with love and that it’s of service to humanity, then all will come together, and I will be reminded through these gifts of what I see as big rewards.
It especially brings me joy to create with other incredibly loving and talented artists. I’ve been so inspired and uplifted by so many beautiful artists and musicians. The energetic and spiritual connections that I am blessed to experience with them are so incredible.
Who are your biggest musical influences? Is there one or two that you have directly worked with?
In the classical world, I was always inspired by some of the great legends such as Beverly Sills, Joan Sutherland, and Leontyne Price. In more recent years, I’ve been inspired by Anna Netrebko, Natalie Dessay, and Renee Fleming. Their voices transcend history, soul, virtuosity, and elegance.
As a teen, I loved listening to Jewel and many female folk singers. Jewel was an evolved and spiritual artist. She did things with her versatile voice that were amazing. During this phase of my life, I tried to imitate her licks and singing style. I found that it helped me tap into the crossover vocal style that I use now.
What’s the most significant thing you’ve done musically in the last year, and how did it happen?
I was the executive producer for Wisdome Austin at SXSW. We created a geodesic immersive dome park where we curated and programmed all of the musical performances, panels, and activations for the ten-day festival. We were ranked as one of the top SXSW venues in 2022. The most exciting part for me was that we were able to draw approximately 20,000 guests into the park almost every day, where they could experience yoga, sound baths, 360-degree immersive visual art, and music of all genres.
Additionally, I won a Grammy alongside two of my best friends: Danaë Vlasse and Hila Plitmann. When you do something with love, intention, and imagination, anything can happen!
You must be planning something very cool for the near future. What are you working on that you'd like to share with us?
We are planning a Mythologies tour in the US, Vietnam, Australia, and select European countries. I am also working on new music to be released this year with two dear friends: Van Anh Nguyen, a Universal / Decca / Deutsche Grammophon artist and virtuosic classical crossover pianist, and Mark Olsen, a DJ and Producer of the duo Double Touch. This will be a New Age / Spiritual Ambient album. We are super excited about it.
What’s the most important thing about being in the IC to you?
The greatest thing about being a part of the IC family is the love and support of the members. We all support independent artists. We recognize the importance of helping one another rise and share our voices. Independent artists pave the way for artistry, creativity, and humanity. I also have to add that IC co-founder Grant Maloy Smith is a pretty amazing human, as well. :)
Aw, you didn’t have to say that! I have always been captivated by your amazing talents, including composing, performing, and everything you do. You are an inspiration. Everyone in the IC wishes you nothing but continued success in the years ahead. It will be exciting to watch it all unfold!
This article first appeared in The IC magazine issue #2 in 2022.
Sangeeta Kaur is affiliated with the IC's:
IC • US • TX • Central Chapter and
IC • US • CA • Los Angeles Chapter
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