Shaneil learned from Ustad Dildar Hussain, disciple of Ustad Allarakha. Ustad Dildar Hussain is known for being the tabla player for late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, a renowned Qawwali singer. Dildar Hussain played tabla for him in his qawwali-singing group until Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan died in 1997. Shaneil also learned from Ferhan Qureshi, a senior disciple of Ustad Abdul Sattar (Tari Khan). Ustad Tari Khan hails from a traditional Rababi family (musicians employed in the royal Darbar Sahib, chief Sikh temple in Amritsar). His father was a classical vocalist. At fourteen, he formally became a student of the world-renowned legend, Ustad Mian Shaukat Hussain Khan, thus beginning his journey into Tabla. Both, Ustad Dildar Hussain and Ferhan Qureshi belong to the Punjab Gharana of tabla-playing music artists.