About Us
Guru Jas Academy
Tajvinder Singh, the founder of Guru Jas Academy, embarked on a remarkable journey from a young age, showcasing his natural born talent and passion for Gurmat Sangeet. Growing up in the 1990s, he excelled in many youth Kirtan and tabla competitions, amassing a collection of trophies and medals that reflected his commitment and skill. In his teen years, he assumed the role of a Kirtan teacher at Gurmat camps, sharing his passion for spiritual music. This early experience laid the foundation for his future endeavors.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from CSUS, Tajvinder Singh ventured to Amritsar, Punjab, where he embarked on a profound life journey during which he served as Hazoori Ragi at the Golden Temple, Darbar Sahib from July 2007 to July 2017 – the youngest American Sikh to do so. During this time, he immersed himself in the rich traditions of Gurmat Sangeet and Gurbani, learning under the guidance of esteemed mentors such as Gyaani Barjinder Singh from Damdami Taksaal and briefly from Ustaad Gurmeet Singh Shaant.
Throughout his journey, Tajvinder Singh remained deeply rooted in tradition, regularly attending various Raag Darbars in India, including Anandpur Sahib in 2010. He was awarded “Tat Khalsa” award at Gurdwara Khadur Sahib for recording all 62 Shabads of Guru Angad Dev Ji in his album “Salok Mahalla 2” in 2009. In the same year, he was invited as a special guest and awarded at the “Mr. Singh International” program which was broadcasted worldwide. He is a holder of many other awards. In 2017, SikhLens created a DVD documentary on Tajvinder Singh’s upbringing and journey from America to Punjab, “A Yankee in the Guru’s Court.”
By the time he was 21, Tajvinder Singh had been performing free Kirtan seva on stages across California, becoming well known in Gurdwaras across California. Having performed Kirtan and playing the tabla with many from all over the world, his ever growing talent has earned Tajvinder Singh several trophies, medals, and prestigious awards from classical Kirtan and classical tabla competitions across the state of California. Growing up, he also served as a Kirtan and tabla teacher at many Gurmat youth camps in California. Along with Kirtan and tabla, Tajvinder Singh can also play the dholki, swarmandal, tanpura, and sitar.
Following years of service at Harimandir Sahib, Tajvinder Singh transitioned into a mentorship role, imparting his knowledge to local students in Amritsar. This dedication extended to his homeland of California, where he began teaching students in 2016, a testament to his passion for sharing the beauty
of Gurmat Sangeet.
of Gurmat Sangeet.
As a Sikh born in America and with life experience being immersed in the cultural and religious milieu of Amritsar, Punjab, Tajvinder Singh possesses a unique perspective that enables him to bridge cultural and linguistic divides within the Sikh youth community and cultivate an environment where Sikh youth feel empowered to connect with their spiritual roots. Guru Jas Academy continues in this role to serve, empower, and inspire Sikh youth to embark on their spiritual journey with confidence and authenticity, knowing that the path to enlightenment lies in the continuous engagement with the Guru’s Word.