Born in Allahabad India, Rita was accepted at the age of nine as a disciple of renowned vocalist, Pandit Rama Shankar Mishra who groomed her in the romantic Benares Gharana style. After coming to the United States Rita continued her studies under the world famous sarod maestro Ustad Ali Akbar Khan where she trained in the Seni Allaudin Gharana style known for its creativity and purity of ragas. Impressed by her talent and passion towards music, Khan Sahib has given her the title “Gayan Alankar” (Jewell of Music).

Rita, an acclaimed composer and performer, tours extensively throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and India. She is also in demand at recording studios at home and abroad where she graciously lends her voice to many diverse musical projects including laying down vocal trax for Grammy Award winning blue grass artist Bella Fleck and performing on Alonzo Kings Sacred Texts, a CD of international music that won the Isadora Duncan award for music excellence. She has produced several CDs of her own, one of which, Rangamalika, is currently entered to be considered as a Grammy nomination.