Janita Chettri wins Practice Based Research Award

Master student Janita Chettri has won the Practice Based Research Award 2026 with their project "From internalization to expression: Exploring Riyaz, Paltas and Murchhana for a sturdy foundation in vocal improvisation". The prize of 250 euro was awarded at the end of the PCC Presents: Resonate Festival which took place at the Prins Claus Conservatorium on May 18th and 19th.

Research Festival

This prize was awarded at awarded at the end of the PCC Presents: Resonate Festival which put practice based research in music at the centre stage for two days. Second-year master’s students presented the results of the research projects they undertook as part of the Practice-based Research course. The festival also included workshops, round tables and presentations led by teachers of the Prins Claus Conservatorium and master students of the Popular Music and Sonic Cultures track of the University of Groningen’s the Arts and Culture Masters programme.

Practice based research

Practice-based research is one of the courses students work on during their Master of Music. The work and outcomes of this course directly contribute to the development of each student’s professional practice. Therefore, every student designs a research project that benefits their development as a musician. Research projects by students who have received the Practice-Based Research Award in previous years focused on concepts such as audience connection, improvisation, authenticity and storytelling.

Five master students were nominated for the Practice Based Research Award: 

• Filip Mozetič: Movement in time: an Action-based research.
• David Vinazza: Environment Becomes Music: Improvising with Everyday Sound to Encourage Sonic Awareness
• Claudia Perez Rivas: Developing an Effective Preparation Process for Orchestral Auditions
• Janita Chettri: From internalization to expression: Exploring Riyas Paltas and Murchhana for a sturdy foundation in vocal improvisation
• Firiël Werners: Colour Expression through flutes

PBR Research Award

The festival concluded with the announcement of the winner of the PBR (Practice Based Research) Award. The jury, consisting of Marike van Dijk, Lieke Wijnia and Claire Pendleton awarded the prize to Janita Chettri.

“The cohort of nominated researchers was very strong, as jury we had a tough time deciding! That’s a compliment for all researchers. Yet, there can only be one winner, and that is Janita Chettri’s project “From internalization to expression: Exploring Riyaz, Paltas and Murchhana for a sturdy foundation in vocal improvisation.” This project was very innovative, bridging two unexpected musical worlds. The project was conducted with rigour and passion, and has practical implications that can be developed further and used to the benefit of others.”

Our congratulations go out to Janita and we want to thank all speakers for sharing their insightful research!