Nuwan has developed his music expertise under the tutelage of world-class musicians, including Wendell Kelly, Manilal Weerakoon, Hussain Jiffry, Dr. Sumudi Suraweera, and Brian Allen. These mentors have shaped his foundation in both performance and pedagogy, exposing him to a broad range of musical traditions and educational philosophies. Through this journey, Nuwan has cultivated a deep understanding of brass performance and intercultural musicianship, alongside his pioneering work in the development and practice of Neo Papara, a new musical genre blending traditional Sri Lankan and contemporary styles.
His work blends practical pedagogy with a deep respect for natural, culturally grounded approaches to music-making. A key part of this vision is The Bamboo Method—a nature-inspired approach that balances flexibility and strength. Developed through years of study and collaboration, it helps musicians play more naturally, comfortably, and musically, with attention to individual physical differences. (The Bamboo Method is also a standalone focus of Nuwan’s ongoing research and expedition work.) At the forefront of this innovative music education, Nuwan is currently authoring a comprehensive book aimed at transforming brasswind learning for Sri Lankans and other South Asian musicians—an ambitious project that is expected to take considerable time to complete.
Nuwan plays a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s music education landscape. He has served as a brasswind instructor for the National Youth Orchestra of Sri Lanka (NYOSL) and as a visiting lecturer in Western Music at the National Institute of Education (Ministry of Education, Sri Lanka). Driven by a strong commitment to educational equity, Nuwan works to make high-quality music education accessible to all, regardless of socio-economic background. His volunteer efforts with the Sri Lanka Music Project have brought Western music to rural schoolchildren, creating new opportunities in underserved communities.
His distinguished contributions also include working pro bono with the Sri Lanka Army Band as a specialist instructor and conducting masterclasses across leading schools and institutions in Colombo and beyond. He continues this mission as the Band Instructor at Gateway College, Dehiwala, where he empowers students through inclusive, holistic, and excellence-driven teaching practices.