bio

Ameena Maria Khawaja is a cellist, rock/pop/operatic vocalist & songwriter with a penchant for '60s pop.  

With over 20 years of traditional & not-so-traditional cello training, and through her pedagogical studies with numerous cello & voice instructors (including Speech Level Singing master, Dave Stroud) Ameena enjoys adapting to a wide variety of musical styles. 

Having had a European tenure in vocal training and performance throughout Germany and at the renowned Spoleto Festival in Italy, she performs classical, romantic and modern repertoire. The versatility of her experience has allowed Ameena to expand her musical career both as a soloist and collaborating musician. Though she’s toured overseas and throughout the US playing & singing with both orchestras & rock bands, she has also worked on studio recordings for Mandy Moore (Coverage), Switchfoot (The Beautiful Letdown) and  Delta Goodrem (Innocent Eyes) among others. Ameena is a member of the Gift Horse Project & papercranes and has performed live with the likes of Linda Perry, the Trans Siberian Orchestra, Spacehog, Marié Digby, Rain Phoenix, Sia, Marco Antonio Solís, Ana Gabriel, Jenny O. and numerous other new & established musicians. Her performance repertoire is completed by over 15 years of training in theatre and dance in San Francisco & Los Angeles.

Ameena now lives, teaches and performs in Los Angeles.

Ameena