Franck Bernède is a cellist and ethnomusicologist based in Nepal. In addition to his musical career, his academic research in India and Nepal focus for almost 30 years on the Bardic traditions of Central Himalayas and Newari music of Kathmandu Valley. He holds a PhD in Social Anthropology and Ethnomusicology from the School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences (Paris). He is the founder and Director of the Singhini Research Centre, a Nepalese organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the traditional music and dance of the Himalayas.