The Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI) is the country`s first fully professional symphony orchestra. It presents a series of concerts at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Mumbai over the course of two seasons each year, in September and February. The SOI was formed in 2006 as the result of an on-going collaboration between the NCPA and the internationally acclaimed Kazakh violinist, Marat Bisengaliev, who serves as the orchestra`s Music Director. Players are recruited internationally, including Resident Conductor, Zane Dalal, plus a core of instrumentalists drawn from the West Kazakhstan Philharmonic Orchestra. Many of the principal players are also teachers, and the orchestra places great emphasis on developing musical potential within India. The orchestra`s Indian players represent the finest local musical talent, and their presence in the SOI provides a solid foundation for the future of orchestral playing in India. The orchestra has launched a number of initiatives to build on this local talent, including the introduction of the Suzuki Method of instrumental teaching into schools in Mumbai.