At the age of 17, Sheila Chandra became Britain's first mainstream Asian pop star as the voice of chart toppers, Monsoon. The period from the catchy strains of Ever So Lonely to the breathtaking timelessness of ABONECRONEDRONE comprises an extraordinary evolutionary leap. Contact with Real World and WOMAD in 1991 allowed Chandra, with WEAVING MY ANCESTORS' VOICES and THE ZEN KISS, to illustrate the idea of moving seamlessly between various traditions through the mind and voice of one person. "There was a kind of helpful obviousness on these two albums, which meant some of the subtler stuff got ignored," she says. "The experience of 'being sung' is much more up-front, if such an experience can be considered up-front, on ABONECRONEDRONE."

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Rickie Byars Beckwith
Rickie Byars Beckwith is a multi-dimensional artist: singer, composer, performer, arranger, and founding director of the 160-voice multicultural Agape International Choir. She is an intuitive channel of healing music whose compositions give rise to a profound experience that opens the heart, touches the soul, and lifts the spirit. She is acclaimed as a pioneer in alternative spiritual music and has been recognized with an honorary doctorate degree in music from the United Church of Religious Science. Beckwith's sound crosses all musical boundaries: gospel, rhythm and blues, jazz, and world beat. She grew up in the South and studied music at Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Georgia. She then moved to New York, where she was lead singer for The Pharoah Sanders Ensemble, Roland Hanna, and the New York Jazz Quartet, among other groups. In 1983, she moved to Los Angeles. She found a spiritual home at the Agape International Spiritual Center, founded by Dr. Michael Beckwith, and soon formed a choir that eventually developed to today's 160-voice Agape International Choir, of which she is music director. She has written lyrics and music, together with her now husband, Dr. Michael Beckwith, which has been performed by the choir worldwide.

Agape International Choir
A multiethnic group with an average roster of 150 members, the Agape International Choir began with a 30-voice holiday season presentation in December of 1988. With the combined writing and composing talents of music director, Rickie Byars, and founding minister, Rev. Dr. Michael Beckwith, the choir, early on, began performing original Beckwith/Byars compositions. As the choir has developed and grown in membership, so has the complexity of Rickie Byars's vocal and instrumental arrangements. Over the past six and one-half years, Agape Choir music has become known for its signature sectional harmonies, counterpoint, tempo-patterns, devotional power, and energetic enthusiasm.During this same time, the "sound" of the Agape Choir has truly had an international reach. Through either live appearances, through Choir Sunday tapes, or through studio and live concert tapes, Agape Choir music has been heard from Santa Monica to South Central; from Somalia to South Africa; from all across the United States to all around the world.From the power of a cappella prayer to rousing rhythmic celebration and affirmation, Agape Choir music moves listeners from all walks of life, from tears of inexpressible joy to literally dancing in the aisles.

Don Campbell
Don Campbell is a musician, teacher and researcher on the effects of sound and music on health, memory and consciousness. He has authored 17 books including The Mozart Effect and Harmony of Health. Don is the Director of Acoustic Activities for Aesthetic Audio Systems, which provides quality music to healthcare facilities. He is currently on the board of the American Music Research Center and Advisory Board of the Society of Arts in Healthcare.

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Shiva Rea, M.A.
Shiva Rea is a leading teacher of prana vinyasa flow yoga and yoga trance dance worldwide. She began exploring yoga at the age of fourteen as a way to understand her name, given to her by her father, a surfer and artist. Her studies in the Krishnamacharya lineage, tantra, ayurveda, bhakti, kalaripayattu, world dance, yogic art and somatic movement infuse her approach to living yoga and embodying the flow. She is known for bringing the roots of yoga alive for modern practitioners in creative, dynamic and life-transforming ways and for offering the synthesis form of vinyasa flow out in the world. As a global adventurer, she has lead over 70 retreats and pilgrimages nationally and internationally as well as served as a creative catalyst for conferences, festivals and actions for the environment, yoga and the arts including the third annual Yogini Conference of Kripalu and Omega. Shiva writes for Yoga Journal and is the author of award-winning CD's and DVD's to empower and transform yoga home practice. She lives with her family near their favorite surf break at Sunset Beach in Pacific Palisades, California.

Joshua Leeds

Joshua Leeds is a sound researcher, educator, and music producer. He specializes in the field of psychoacoustics -- the study of the effect of music and sound on the human nervous system, and bioacoustics - how human sound affects other living beings. He is the author of Through A Dog's Ear, The Power of Sound, and Sonic Alchemy. His 30+ recordings are used in homes, clinics, classrooms, and animal shelters around the world.

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Jonathan Goldman
Jonathan Goldman is a musician, writer, and teacher. He is an authority on sound healing and a pioneer in the field of harmonics. Jonathan is the author of Healing Sounds; The Power of Harmonics; Shifting Frequencies and The Lost Chord. He has studied with masters of sound from both the scientific and spiritual traditions, including the Dalai Lama's Chanting Gyuto and Gyume Monks and has been empowered by the Chant Master of the Drepung Loseling Monastery to teach Tibetan Overtone Chanting.

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Dr. Patrick Flanagan
Patrick Flanagan possesses a unique ability to reorganize key concepts from a variety of applied sciences to solve intractable problems. He is a futurist with deep encyclopedic knowledge of the applied sciences. A prolific inventor, Dr. Flanagan is credited with over 300 inventions and was named 1997 Scientist of the Year by the International Association for New Science. He also holds a patent pending on his process of manufacturing a delivery system for H- in living systems and industrial processes. Dr. Flanagan holds advanced degrees in nanotechnology, chemistry, bio-sciences and medicine.

Silvia Nakkach, M.A.,M.M.T.
named by Utne Reading magazine as one of 40 cutting-edge artists that will shake the art world in the new millennium. Silvia has cultivated a voice that transport the listeners into the heart of devotion, she is an award-winning composer, psychologist, author, and pioneer in the field of sound, transformation of consciousness, and music shamanism. She is the founding director of Vox Mundi School of the Voice, an international school devoted to teaching and preserving sacred music traditions, with centers and training in Bahia and Rio, Brazil, Argentina, Spain, and California. She is the creator, faculty, and main academic advisor for the Sound, Voice, Music Healing Certificate at the California Institute of Integral Studies, in San Francisco. She is also the founder of the The Path of Dhrupad Singing School in the States. She holds Master Degrees in Psychology, Psychodrama, Music Therapy, and Music Composition from Mills College. For more than 25 years Silvia has studied Hindustani music with maestro Ali Akbar Khan. An internationally accredited specialist in cross-cultural music therapy training, Nakkach has pioneered the integration of ancient sacred sound with contemporary practices of chanting, somatic and music psychotherapy. She has been involved in clinical research in the areas of micro-tonal singing and uses of the voice to induce meditative states. Her work has been integrated in a comprehensive curriculum of scientific vocal and sound healing applications known as The Yoga of the Voice(TM), a training that offers national certification. Silvia's interest in indigenous music cosmology and spirituality brought her to collaborate with many spiritual masters of Indian and South American shamanic traditions. In addition to published articles. Silvia is the contributor author of various books, including Music and the Human Process, Music in Human Adaptation, The Transpersonal Consciousness, Music Therapy and the End of Life. Silvia is presently working on her latest book. She has released several CD albums that have worldwide distribution. She resides in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Mandara Cromwell

President, Cymatherapy® International Entrenched with the love of Gregorian Chant as a child, Mandara continued on her sound journey after college, traveling to India to study Sanskrit chant, Bija mantras, and meditation. The next step of unfoldment came years later with the meeting of Peter Guy Manners in 2001.Manners, worked in collaboration with a group of scientists and medical doctors, for decades, formulating biosignatures and healing frequencies for each part of the body.  In the twilight of his life, Manners passed the baton to Cymatherapy® International in 2002.Mandara spearheads the launch of the newest evolution of Cymatherapy®, the Cyma®1000.  Generating specific sound frequencies to stimulate muscles, organs and bones to their natural state of resonance, the Cyma®1000 uses an internationally patent-pending delivery system combining sound and magnetics. Soon Cymatherapy® International will unveil the next evolution, combining sound, magnetics and light. Cymatherapy® International continues to research, develop and manufacture state-of-the-art healing sound applications, and conducts ongoing research using the Cyma®1000. Mandara presents this research to audiences around the world in layman’s terms using powerpoint slides.See via diagnostic ultrasound, EEG, MRI, thermography, and x-ray’s the phenomenal proof of healing with audible sound frequencies!

Dr. Maoshing Ni
is a 38th-generation doctor of Chinese medicine and an authority in the field of Taoist anti-aging medicine. A brush with near-death from an accident as a child left him determined to pursue health and healing. He was taught tai chi and qigong early on to help him rehabilitate and began his medical training with his father, a renowned physician of Chinese medicine and Taoist master. From this passionate youthful beginning, Dr. Mao continued his training in schools of Chinese medicine in the U.S. and China. At the age of 19, he became the youngest person ever to be board-licensed in acupuncture in the state of California. He went on to receive two doctorate degrees and wrote his PhD dissertation on nutrition, as well as carrying out a 20-year study of centenarians in China. A board certified anti-aging specialist with the American Board of Anti-Aging Health Practitioners, Dr Mao is currently in private practice at the Tao of Wellness in Santa Monica, California. He specializes in advising patients on achieving optimum health and wellness. With Dr Ni, The Tao of Wellness also has the distinction of being one of the largest Acupuncture and Chinese medical practice in the United States. In addition to his private practice, Dr. Mao is a co- founder, past president, and current Chancellor of Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Los Angeles. He has lectured internationally on various topics including preventive medicine, longevity medicine, diet and nutrition, herbal therapy, stress management, meditation, lifestyle enhancement, integrative cancer care, tai chi, qigong, Chinese yoga, spirituality and also continues to conduct longevity and immortality retreats. He is the author of the best-selling book Secrets of Longevity and his new book Secrets of Self Healing with Avery/ Penguin Group is in the book stores now starting this January 2008. Dr. Mao has participated in numerous interviews on public radio, prime time TV shows and major print media such as Good Day L.A., Eye on L.A., CBS Evening News, Which Way L.A., New York Times, L.A. Times. Dr. Mao has also authored numerous books and audio/video tapes. These include: Chinese Herbology, The Tao of Nutrition, Energy Enhancement Exercises, Self Healing Chi Gong, Stress Release, Pain Management, and The Yellow Emperors Classic of Medicine. He was also an editorial member for the best-selling book, Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide. MAOSHING NI PH.D., D.O.M., L.AC., ABAAHP

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Raoul Goff
Palace Press International president and CEO Raoul Goff started his career in the book industry as a designer and editor in 1980. Living in Singapore, he founded Palace Press International as a means of providing U.S. publishers access to the technology, craftsmanship, and savings of the Asian print industry. Now based in San Rafael, California, Raoul acts as the Publisher for the group and is actively involved in the day-to-day operations as well as development of the company's key business relationships. Raoul has won numerous awards for his production and design expertise and is known for his uncompromising attention to quality and detail.

Jeff Volk
Poet, producer and publisher, Jeff Volk, has been popularizing the science of Cymatics for over 20 years. In 1984 he produced a series of videos based on the pioneering experiments of Swiss scientist Dr. Hans Jenny, which scientifically demonstrated how audible sound creates harmonic, geometric patterns found in intricate life forms, and in the sacred art and architecture of the world's Great Traditions. In 1993, his video, Of Sound Mind and Body: Music and Vibrational Healing, won the Hartley Film Award through the Institute of Noetic Sciences. It’s phenomenal success inspired him to produce the International Sound Colloquium, which for six years, was the premier conference exploring the power of sacred sound and healing music. In 2001, he re-issued Jenny's long out-of-print Cymatics books as a single deluxe edition, and he has just published an English translation of Water Sound Images, the stunning work of contemporary German Cymatics researcher, Alexander Lauterwasser. He lectures and writes occasionally, about Cymatics and related topics. More information may be found at www.cymaticsource.com

Alex Theory, Ph.D.
Alex Theory is the founder of the 2008 Global Sound Conference and the 2007 Global OM project. He draws upon extensive training in psychology and psychoacoustic music production to research and integrate new modalities in sound therapy. He is often found performing at conferences, festivals and retreats worldwide. His music has received international airplay on film, radio and television commercials, and he has published articles for numerous magazines.

Chris Deckker
Chris Deckker is the Founder of Earthdance International, and a renowned organizer of conscious and sustainable events worldwide. This year he is helping to organize a project called "30 Days of Peace" that will bring together the world’s leading Peace organizations in an effort to motivate people, particularly youth, to take positive action for Peace.

Gary Malkin
Gary Malkin is an Emmy and ASCAP award-winning composer, producer performer, and public speaker dedicated to making a difference in the world by creating musical resources and events that inspire the heart and catalyze social and individual healing. He has enjoyed a successful twenty-five year career as a composer for film, television, and commercials under the umbrella of his music production company, Musaic (musaic.biz). An in-demand performer and public speaker, Gary is passionate about the universal role music can play as a messenger of an inclusive, secular spirituality. He is the co-creator of the internationally acclaimed CD/book, Graceful Passages, released by his life-enhancing media production company, Wisdom of the World, (wisdomoftheworld.com) which offers aesthetic ways to directly experience the worlds wisdom keepers to help us face our life transitions with more mindfulness and compassion. He is the founder, (along with music healing pioneer Michael Stillwater), of the non-profit organization, Companion Arts, (companionarts.org) dedicated to integrating greater humanism into our health care system through a care for the caregiver educational initiative, Care for the Journey. After serving as the Artistic Director for the Quest for Global Healing international conferences, (which featured Archbishop Desmond Tutu, among other Nobel Laureates), he was recently invited to compose a cross-cultural composition for a traditional Chinese orchestra, which was performed at the prestigious Count Down Ceremony at Tianemen Square in honor of the upcoming 2008 Olyimpiad in Beijing. Through his performances, presentations and recordings, he is dedicated to using the power of music as potent tool for bridging differences between cultures - as well as for a healing integration of mind, body, spirit and heart.

Zacciah Blackburn
Zacciah Blackburn is Founder and Director of the Center of Light Institute of Sound Healing and Shamanic Studies. The Center is a holistic center for the study and therapeutic application of the art of sound healing, as well as the study and utilization of shamanic and mystical arts through personal explorations and sacred sound transmissions. The Center offers sound healing therapies and training, shamanic & spiritual counseling. Workshops and individual therapies and studies are designed to draw us to our own innate wisdom and personal power, develop intuitive guidance and authenticity, deepening relationship with that we hold as sacred, awakening the core of our being, and enlivening us to pursue our personal destiny. Initiations into the sacred realms of understanding, are incorporated, via Sacred Sound Transmissions. A wide variety of fine quality musical & healing instruments of the world, used in sacred sound cultures, are offered on site, and on line at www.sunreed.com. Find Tibetan bells and bowls, Pure Quartz Crystal Singing Bowls, Native American Drums and Flutes, Didgeridoos, Bamboo and Wooden flutes of the world, including bansurai, Irish, and shakuhachi, harps and much more. Indian instruments such as tamboura and sitar, harmonium and tabla, are available, as are African drums such as Djembe, Ashiko, and Djun Djun.

Billie Thompson, Ph.D.
is the Director of Sound Listening & Learning Center in Phoenix, Arizona, founded in 1987, and Pasadena, California, founded in 1994. Dr. Thompson's work has focused on helping people of all agesgifted through learning disabledto expand their potential and achieve their goals. She has researched, trained in, and integrated a number of innovative and effective educational programs, and worked with several thousand people, providing a foundational program of Sound Listening Training, an educational application of the Tomatis Method. Dr. Thompson received her B.A. from the University of New Mexico and my M.A. and Ph.D. from Arizona State University, where she researched and developed a theory of change. She continued her search to find effective methods of change and transformation, which she could use in a private educational setting. Sound Listening & Learning Center is the result.

Peggy Black
is a creative and recording artist, world traveler and lecturer, with thirty-five years of experience in the healing field. She is featured internationally on television, radio and in the print media. Peggy founded and co-created the International Sound Symposium, 2002 and continues to create global Sound Pods. Peggy is a Sacred Sound Salutarist, Spiritual Synergist, Multidimensional Channel, Transducer, Scribe and Witness who is guided by the presence and partnership with her Hathors, the support of angelic realms and essence of Kuan Yin. Peggy's life-long commitment to metaphysics, both as a student and a teacher, has empowered her gifts as a clairsentient, clairvoyant and clairaudient intuitive. She blends these qualities with her skills, experiences, intentions and her extensive knowledge of Vibrational Sacred Sounds, Intuitive Guided Partnerships to touch and heal the deepest areas. In private sessions or channeled transmissions of guidance, she uses these gifts, her voice and her clear connection with her "Team' to support and assist clients in their own healing, transformation and expansion.

Richard Rudis
(Karma Sonam Dorje), has been studying Eastern philosophy and Tibetan Buddhism in the Himalayas and the USA for over 25 years. He has been teaching Buddhist Dharma using the vehicle of vibrational healing for nearly 20 years. He offers certification programs in Vibrational Healing via the exclusive use of Himalayan (Buddhist) Sacred Sound Instruments.

Dr. Arthur Harvey
Dr. Harvey is internationally known as an authority in music for special needs individuals, music and the brain, music and health, and music and learning, and has provided training and spoken at conferences in 23 countries, as well as throughout the United States. As Director and Founder of MUSIC FOR HEALTH SERVICES, Dr. Harvey has a diverse and rich background in teaching, research and clinical applications of music as a healing art. Dr. Harvey has just retired from the University of Hawaii, and moved from Hawaii to Florida. In addition to teaching at the University of Hawaii at Manoa for the past sixteen years, he also provided weekly Therapeutic Music sessions for Leahi Hospital, bi-weekly for Maluhia Hospital, and weekly music therapy sessions at Hawaii Kai Retirement Community. Music as Therapy Dr. Harveys interest in and utilization of the therapeutic functions of music has been fueled by his passion for helping persons with disabilities. For over forty years he has worked with special needs individuals in schools, institutions, and privately and has consistently provided therapeutic music services to hospitals, nursing homes, and service organizations (such as Parkinsons Association, Cancer Society, Multiple Schlerosis Assoc., Alzheimers Assoc., DD and DOH, Medical Societies, Health Care Organizations both traditional and CAM, and AARP). His extensive experience working with music therapists, medical organizations and individuals, sound healers and researchers has resulted in him developing Music As Therapy courses, which have been taught at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and Kapiolani Community College. In addition professional organizations such as HMSA and hospitals such as Castle and Queens in Hawaii invited him to provide both professional and public training programs to acquaint them with the scientific and practical understanding of the Whys, Whats, and Hows of Music As Therapy.

Manny Otto
is the developer of Mythos for Creatives, a program focused on waking artists/creatives up to their vital roles as prime functionaries of an emerging global mythos--i.e. the overarching worldview, or "story" a culture accepts about itself and its place in the universe. From 1999 to 2006, he was a key member of the Joseph Campbell Foundation leadership team where he developed on-line and off-line community, including co-producing the Joseph Campbell Centenary conference at Esalen Institute in 2004, and planned future Internet initiatives, including the Campbell Digital Archives and Works projects. In 2003, he co-founded Threshold Passages, a rites of passages and mentoring program in Colorado that practically applies the theories of Joseph Campbell, Robert Bly and many others regarding the need for effective rites of passage for the young men in our society. In 2007, Manny served on the national host committee for the U.S. tour of the Medium of Tibet's Chief State Oracle, Ven. Thupten Ngodup. He currently produces for Gaiam, Inc., engaged in optimizing the company's Spiritual Cinema Circle and Earth Cinema Circle web presences to perpetuate the appeal of their film offerings-as well as producing the Conscious Media Institute in partnership with Naropa University-and consequential contributions to the Gaia.com(unity) project, including the development of the Gaia.com(unity) Music Circle. Manny lives in Colorado with his wife, Blue Haley Otto.

Rara Avis
Rara's lush, genre-defying compositions are infused with the purpose of uplifting mind, body and soul, Rara imparts a deep sense of belonging in every note of his musical creations. Dedicated and inspired to heal with sound and vibration he has devoted years to the study of music and well-being. The combined effect is a unique experience of sound that contains a vast array of elements designed to support you on your journey within. His most recent release "Dial M for Mantra" is a collaboration with Grammy Nominee and world music pioneer Jai Uttal. Over the past two years he has celebrated six full-length releases on Six Degrees Records, Sounds True Music and White Swan Records. For music samples and news on Rara's appearances and latest CD projects, please visit: www.raraavismusic.com

Barbara Bullard, M.A.
Professor Barbara Bullard is a published author and an award winning teacher. Bullard is also an internationally recognized lecturer known for her inspiring and informative style discussing the impact of music and metamusic on the brain and mind. Her work with The Monroe Institute has led to combining musical formats with the binaural technology of Hemi-Sync, now known as "Metamusic--more than music." Over the past 18 years, the collaborative results, Remembrance, and others have proven to be extraordinarily helpful for students with a variety of learning challenges as well as stimulations for a wide variety of expanded consciousness.

Stanley Jordan
The story of Stanley Jordan's career seems as legendary as his unique playing technique. He had earned a degree in music theory and composition from Princeton University, yet he chose to make his a living as a street musician, playing in New York, Philadelphia and various towns in the Midwest and the South. Beginning in the late 80s, Stanley's lifelong interest in health was rekindled when a chiropractor got him back on his feet in one session after a week of crippling leg pain. This intervention saved a major European tour and altered Stanley's concept of health and healing. In the 90s Stanley disbanded his entire management, touring and production organization and went into deep study. He eventually left New York for a quiet reclusive life in the mountains of the Southwest. He then joined the AMTA (American Music Therapy Association) and became an artist spokesperson. He became actively involved in promoting the cause, observing music therapists in action and seeking out whatever information he could find. Ultimately he enrolled at Arizona State University where he is currently working toward a degree in music therapy.

Yungchen Lhamo
Since fleeing Tibet on foot in 1989, Yungchen Lhamo has emerged as the leading Tibetan vocalist on the world stage. From the quays of Sydney, Australia to the spotlight of Carnegie Hall, her a cappella performances have enchanted audiences in more than 70 countries since she began touring professionally in 1994.Yungchen's name was given to her by a Tibetan lama when she was a baby and translates to "Goddess of Melody and Song." Since the release of her award-winning first album Tibetan Prayer, her music has met with critical praise worldwide, alternately described as "beautifully evocative," "mesmerizing," "spine-tingling," and "transcendent." Her songs take listeners on an emotive journey across plateaus and soaring over vistas, with a charge and a charisma no doubt informed by her remarkable life story.Since being signed to Peter Gabriel's Real World Records label, Yungchen has released two critically-acclaimed albums, Tibet, Tibet and Coming Home (produced by Hector Zazou). Her music has appeared on Natalie Merchant's platinum-selling Ophelia, the compilation disc Lilith Fair: A Celebration of Women in Music, on the soundtrack to the Hollywood film Seven Years in Tibet, and in a handful of documentaries. Yungchen was one of the Real World artists featured in a recent one-hour music television special by National Geographic called Songs Under a Big Sky. The show was produced and directed by Michael Coulson, who also directed Yungchen's first music video, "Happiness Is."Yungchen has also performed in support of many Tibet organizations, including Tibet House New York, The Milarepa Fund, Students For a Free Tibet, Tibet Relief Fund, Australian Tibet Council, The Dalai Lama Trust New Zealand, AIPLP, the Pema Tsal School in India and for such aid groups as Amnesty International, Walk Against Want, Reebok Human Rights Awards, IUCN and Survival International. At such events, she has performed alongside a variety of luminaries, including Philip Glass, Annie Lennox, Michael Stipe and Sheryl Crow.

Fabien Maman

Fabien Maman is a musician, composer, acupuncturist, author, researcher, healer, teacher, “bioenergetician” and martial artist. As a musician/composer, he performed his original compositions in the great concert halls of the world, including Carnegie Hall, the Tokyo Opera, the Paris Olympia and the Berlin Philharmonic. In 1977, Fabien became an acupuncturist, linking music with acupuncture. He created the now famous system which uses tuning forks instead of needles on acupuncture command points. In the early 80’s, Fabien conducted his revolutionary biology experiments at the University of Jussieu in Paris, showing the impacts of acoustic sound on human cells and their energy fields. Fabien found that through a series of acoustic sounds, he could explode cancer cells, as well as energize and empower healthy ones. For nearly 30 years, Fabien has created research and practical applications to balance the body, mind and spirit through the subtle energy fields. He has created more than 30 techniques through his Academy, each of which, took nearly seven years to test and apply.

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Steven Halpern
is an internationally-acclaimed composer, master musician, producer, author and pioneering sound healer. His award-winning recordings radiate energies of relaxation, joy and peace that assist us in attuning to the quantum field of universal consciousness. Millions worldwide have experienced the blessings of benefits of sound healing simply by listening. Since l975, Steven has been a recognized authority in the field and a passionate voice bringing the concept of sound healing to the mainstream through his recordings,writings and national major market media appearances. He is a founding father of New Age/ ambient music who has sold more (over 6 million) relaxing, meditative and healing albums than any other living composer. After being intitiated into a non-denominational 'ministry of healing music' in l969, Steven was encouraged by Dr. John Lilly, Dr. Stanley Krippner and others to scientifically valate the extraordinary effects of his music. His landmark research explored the connections between sound, higher consciousness and healing were the first to employ sophisticated new technologies involving subtle energies, brainwave biofeedback and Kirlian (aura) photography. Halpern was mentored and assisted by a who's who of the world's leading scientists, including Dr. Marcel Vogel, Itzhak Bentov, Dr. Maxwell Cade and Dr. Peter Guy Manners. The respected music industry magazine KEYBOARD name Steven 'one of the 30 most influential keyboard artists of the last 30 years' who launched a 'quiet revolution' in contemporary instrumental music. His recordings combine ancient sound healing traditions, modern technology and the soul of a sensitive artist; his music is used worldwide.As a producer, he has recorded with leading musicians including Paul Horn, Paul McCandless, Iasos and Fabien Maman. Halpern's music has been heard on "Ghost Whisperer," 48 HOURS, 20 /20 and PBS series with John Bradshaw. Steven Halpern is a popular keynote speaker and workshop leader, who has spoken at numerous health and healing conferences, including the Sixth International Conference of Stress (Montreux, Switzerland), American Holistic Health, National Music therapy Associate, American massage gtherapy Association, The International Alliance for Accelerated Learning and many others. He has written over 55 articles and a syndicated monthly column(now ezine) for over 20 years. Visit him at www.innerpeacemusic.com to experience the music, read his ezine.

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Mikki Willis, Director
As a director Mikki Willis is recognized internationally for his groundbreaking work in Spanish-language music videos. In 1997 he wrote and directed his feature debut, "Shoe Shine Boys," a festival hit, winning several 'best film, best director, and audience awards.' In 2007 Mikki was selected by Steven Spielberg to direct the short drama "Deeper." His first literary work, "A Song From the Heart," was produced by CBS and named "Critic's Pick" by the New York Times.
September 11th, 2001 marked the turning point in Mikki's life and career. Having been inside the twin towers just hours before they fell, he helped to organize and lead a group of civilians who risked their lives to aid rescue workers. On his return to Los Angeles he began laying the foundation for what is now one of the most respected movements to emerge from Hollywood. Mikki is currently the founding director of Elevate Films, Elevate Foundation, and Elevate Film Festival, which challenges the international film community to create works of social and global importance. Mikki Willis is the recipient of the 2008 Conscious Life Humanitarian Award.
www.MikkiWillis.com
www.ElevateFilms.com
www.ElevateFilmFestival.com

Christine Stevens
Christine Stevens is a modern day troubadour who introduces people all over the world to musical expression in the form of drum circles. Through her company UpBeat Drum Circles, Christine offers programs for corporate teambuilding, diversity training, and personal growth seminars. A featured speaker, Christine is equally at home in the middle of a 1,000-person drum circle or on the podium addressing thousands of professionals. As Director of Music Therapy and Wellness Programs at Remo Drum Company, Christine has led music and wellness seminars in England, Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, Taiwan, and the United States.

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Wayne Perry
Wayne Perry is internationally recognized as a leading authority on sound therapy. He is the author of "Overtoning: The Complete Guide to Healing with the Human Voice. " In 1992, Wayne founded the Sound Therapy Center. Using his own techniques, Wayne has healed himself of several health issues including chronic allergies and kidney stones, and has helped facilitate the healing of more than a thousand others. Highly regarded as a vibrational healer, vocal overtoning expert and recording artist, Wayne has also visited sacred sites around the world.

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Alan Howarth
From scores to special sound effects, from Halloween stalkers to STAR TREK, Alan Howarth's electronic imagination has contributed to some of the biggest genre films of the '80s. Alternately wearing the hats of both composer and sound effectsman, Howarth has collaborated with John Carpenter on the music from nearly all of his movies starting with ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK; he's provided sound design and effects for POLTERGEIST, RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, all the STAR TREK movies, THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER, Coppola's DRACULA, TOTAL RECALL, and STARGATE, among others. As a composer, he's scored all or part of all the HALLOWEEN films, composed music for RETRIBUTION, THE DENTIST, and others.

Frank Serafine
he's an accomplished musician, studio designer, recording engineer, and LBE (location-based entertainment) kind of guy who composed the original music for Disneyland's Space Mountain and today looks ahead to shooting his own high-def films high above the waves of Malibu, Frank is thus far best known for his excellence in sound design and best-selling sound effects libraries. What are his favorite projects of the past 30 years? Some great property, the studio he builds on it, and the film he's working on this week, The Aryan Couple, the directorial debut of Oscar-winning producer John Daly (Terminator 2, The Last Emperor, Platoon) starring Academy Award-winning Martin Landau.

Michael Gosney
Michael Gosney is a veteran "new edge" media producer and impresario whose productions and events have defined the emergent integrative culture for 25 years – from holistic health to deep ecology to small press publishing to new science to desktop publishing and multimedia to eco-cities to cyberculture to electronic music to the “transmodern tribalism” evolving in festival culture, intentional communities and new social and economic networks across the planet.

Jennifer Coffee
Jennifer Coffee is the Acquisitions Editor at Sounds True, a multimedia publisher based in Colorado with a stated mission to inspire, support and serve continuous spiritual awakening and its expression in the world. As a member of Sounds Trues editorial team she has championed a number of sound healing and spiritual music titles, including Chloe Goodchilds Awakening Through Sound, Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoches Tibetan Sound Healing, Alex Theorys Water and Light, and the forthcoming Brain Shift Collection from Jeff Strong. A musician and composer in her own right, she recently enjoyed compiling Songs of Kuan Yin, a new Sounds True music compilation dedicated to the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Jennifer holds a B.A. in Music and Religious Studies and an M.A. in Buddhist Studies and Tibetan Language from Naropa University.

Christina Tourin
Christina Tourin is a second-generation harpist who began playing harp at the age of four. She received Music and Education degrees from the University of Vermont (B.S.) and also studied harp at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria and at McGill University in Montreal, Canada and holds a music therapy degree from Arizona State University. As an International recording artist, she performs extensively both for live audiences, radio and television. She served as harpist for the Vermont Symphony, New Haven Symphony, and off-Broadway theater productions. Christina performed at the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont - the home of the Sound of Music original family - for 17 years. She taught public school music for 20 years and after training at the Steiner Institute, taught in Waldorf schools in both Vermont and England. She is an active workshop organizer and has been instrumental in the revival of the folk harp since the early 1970's. In 1982 she founded the Scottish Harp Society of America and currently is the director and founder of the International Harp Therapy Program affiliated with San Diego Hospice. In addition, she is the founder of the World Harp Orchestra. As author of books, especially notable, Harp Therapy - A Cradle of Sound, her other activities include teaching music, performing and composing music. Her artistry can be heard on 14 CD recordings which are available from PlayHarp.com and Amazon.com.

Dorinne Davis, MA, CC-A, FAAA
Educational and Rehabilitative Audiologist, founder, The Davis Center for Hearing, Speech and Learning, associate, BioAcoustics Research, certified practitioner in Berard Auditory Integration Training, Tomatis, Fast ForWord Language, The Listening Program, Read-Spell-Comprehend,Samonas, Interactive Metronome, Earobics, Lipreading, Aural Rehabilitation and other sound-based therapies, author, Sound Bodies through Sound Therapy and Every Day a Miracle: Success Stories with Sound Therapy.

Kimba Arem
Kimba has a B.S. in molecular and cellular biology and studied Chinese acupuncture and herbal medicine. A classically trained pianist and flutist, her therapy draws on her extensive background in music and subtle energy medicine. Kimba travels internationally presenting concerts, conferences, workshops and private sessions. She has been playing the didjeridu since 1992 and teaching internationally for the past 12 years. She has produced eleven sound therapy CDs, which include Gaearth Dreaming, Peace Journey, Creation's Overtone, and Self-Healing with Sound and Music with Kimba Arem and Dr. Andrew Weil. She is the founder of Heartherapy, and has developed a unique form of sound therapy incorporating light and sound technology, aromatherapy, herbology, Reiki, and Taoist Chinese medicine

Suzanne Sterling
Suzanne is an ecstatic vocalist and composer whose devotional music has been called a "groove-loving and seductive journey into Spirit" and whose music has been commissioned for film, theatre and DVD. She has enjoyed mainstage billing at festivals such as Earthdance, Burning Man, Reggae on the River and The World Festival of Sacred Music (hosted by the Dalai Lama). Suzanne has also been a ritual designer and priestess for many years and has developed curriculums, teacher trainings and apprenticeship programs combining ritual and activism for numerous communities nationwide. She offers a unique blend of yoga, music, sacred ceremony and activism to conferences and festivals worldwide- most recently as featured speaker/artist at several Yoga Journal Conferences, The Esalen Institute, The Institute of Noetic Sciences and Earthdance where she led the worlds largest Spiral Dance for 5000 people. Suzanne is also a co-creator of Off the Mat, Into the World, an organization offering nationwide training programs combining yoga and sustainable activism.

Amrita Cottrell
Amrita is the Founding Director of The Healing Music Organization and the co- director of The Crystal Sound Institute. Her work in sound comes from insights she received during her own incredible healing from breast cancer using sound and breath. She was able to eradicate two tumors in six weeks' time with the sound of her own voice. Amrita plays the crystal singing bowls with impressive skill. As she sings with them her voice becomes transparent, and the music that comes from the combination creates a "sonic hologram." People are able to access deep textures of consciousness as they experience this multi-dimensional sound bath. Amrita donates a portion of her time to singing at the bedsides of people who are struggling: some with living, some with dying as part of the Threshold Choir. These all-women choirs founded by Kate Munger honor the ancient tradition of singing at the bedsides of people who are struggling: some with living, some with dying. The voice, as the original human instrument, is a true and gracious vehicle for compassion and comfort. The choirs provide opportunities for women to share the sacred gifts of their voices at life's thresholds. Amrita is also the author of The Encyclopedia of Sound, the soon to be published compendium of research and writings on sound and music in health and wellbeing, music education and consciousness.

Parker Johnson
is writer, public speaker, performing artist, and recovering investment banker.  He is the composer of a modern opera entitled, The Ladder - A Musical Odyssey, which speaks to his experience confronting the American Dream.  As an artist, Parker has been heavily influenced by the teachings of Professor Joseph Campbell and Dr. Carl Jung.  He is currently working to create an experiential message-based, music-driven rockumentary film entitled, Divine Gravity.  Which is a passionate, mytho-poetic look into the end of empire, the unwinding of the American Dream, and the hope and promise of a new mythology.

Chief Sonne Reyna
Yaqui-Carrizo Nations, North America; Nawal and Traditional Sun Dancer, Sun Dance Society Peace Chief, Advisor: San Juan Indian Council, Ambassador for the Natural Supernatural Worlds, Vietnam War Veteran, Artist - Writer, Consultant: American Indian Art and Culture and California Indian Market, Graduate of Theology and Communication Arts, University of Texas, Arlington, Texas USA. Chief Reyna has recorded with wife Claudine a CD of Joyous Healing Songs Summer of Hope For The Children. They co-founded Earths Children Cultural Organization (ECCO) a global association that explores indigenous healing wisdom and sponsors exciting cultural exchange projects between American Indian children and the children of the world. He is writing and illustrating the first in a series and a soon to be Best Selling Book "American Indian and Celtic Prophecy A Balance With Earth Sky" (copyright 2003). It is honouring Global Indigenous Wisdom.

Sheila Allen
Sheila Allen is a licensed occupational therapist with over twenty-five years clinical experience specializing in sensory processing and a longstanding appreciation for sound and music. She holds a board certification in pediatrics and a MA in psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University. She is a co-founder and co-director of Pediatric Therapeutics, LLC, a childrens therapy center, and Integrated Soundwork, LLC a practice specializing in sound-based interventions, both located in Chatham, NJ. Currently on both the faculty and development team of Advanced Brain Technologies, LLC, Ogden, UT, Sheila trains professionals internationally in the use of The Listening Program and participates in the development of music-based auditory stimulation programs. She also serves on the advisory board of Vocal Images, NYC, a non-profit entity that promotes excellence in the performing arts and musical awareness. Sheila has taught graduate courses as an adjunct instructor at The Bank Street School, NYC and has assisted with teaching craniosacral therapy courses for the Upledger Institute, Palm Beach Gardens, FL.

Lisa Rafel
Lisa Rafel is a sound and energy educator, spiritual counselor, gifted intuitive, singer, harmonic overtone chanter, shamanic healer and a practitioner of Integrated Kabbalistic Healing. Her chanting, rooted in the tradition of vowels as the sacred language of God, has been called "music from before the languages divided" and engages the listener at the deepest levels. Lisa's international teaching program, "Resonate with the Soul, encourages development of the psychic senses as well as personal transformation. Utilizing sound, body awareness and ancient wisdoms, Lisas classes teach multiple levels of self-awareness, and deepen one's relationship to courage and compassion.

Arthur Hull
is recognized as the father of the community drum circle movement. He is a motivational speaker, keynote presenter and an internationally acclaimed master at facilitating groups of people through a common experience using music and rhythm. Since 1985, Arthur has used the Village Music Circles metaphor to build team spirit and promote unity in corporations, schools and communities worldwide. Arthur's unique awareness of human dynamics allow him to work successfully with diverse populations. From corporate executives to kids at risk, from the self-proclaimed rhythmically challenged to professional musicians, Arthur inspires full, enthusiastic participation. Arthur has taught Village Music to over 7,000 students at the University of California in Santa Cruz. Apple Computer, Silicon Graphics, Patagonia, Kinkos, Motorola, McDonalds, Microsoft, The Wall Street Journal, ExonMobile, World Bank, Sony, and Toyota are among the hundreds of corporations who have found the spirit of community through Village Music Circles events. Based on years of experiences Arthur has authored a book/CD and a video in which he shares his stories and techniques in facilitation and rhythm. Drum Circle Spirit: Facilitating Human Potential Through Rhythm and The Video Guide to Endrummingment are available through Village Music Circles Products. Arthur has been nationally awarded for his success in using rhythm as a tool for social awareness and change. His awards include: 2001 Infinity Foundation Spirit Award, 2000 Drum Magazines Drummie Award for Best Drum Circle Facilitator, 1998 Drum Magazines Drummie Award for Best World Beat/New Age Percussionist of the Year, 1994 All One Tribe Foundations Drumming Education Award.

David Hickey
David Hickey Based in Mount Hope, Ontario, David performs with over 20 Quartz Crystal Singing Bowls in combination with 8 Paiste Gongs and Chimes. Each gong features a strong fundamental note tuned to represent a natural harmonic series based on the orbital properties of the Sun, the Earth, the Moon and the other planets. David also performs with other beautiful organic instruments that add the finishing touches to an amazing performance. The intent of a performance is to create beautiful improvised, meditative and healing music. David has been touring Canada coast to coast the past five years and have performed over 400 shows and have released 5 CD's. Crystal Journey has dedicated it's intention for the music to help raise awareness to our environment and such social causes as Tibet and Burma and has raised funds for various charities as well- The Monks of the Gomang Monastery, Indonesian Tsunami Relief, churches and more.

Melanie St.James
Social entrepreneur Melanie St.James has lived, traveled and worked in Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America. For the past 12 years Melanie has been devoted to understanding the evolutionary relationship between poverty, human security, and global sustainability. Years of research and interviews with people throughout Africa and beyond support her population theory that advocates human empowerment and Inter-sector collaborations best foster human security. Melanie believes deeply that creating a sense of human security through community interdependence, is an art which much of humanity has lost through modernization - yet remains vital to global sustainability.

Melanies unique research perspective shapes EW in many ways. Concerned that current top down international development models perpetuated a disempowering dependency cycle; she created EWs community based approach, emphasizing indigenous assets before deficiencies. Her experience in transformational mediation and training in international negotiations also contribute to Empowerment Works emphasis on mutually supportive partnerships.

Steve Wagner
Steve Wagner has over 25 years of experience in a variety of entertainment industry fields. He combines his abilities as art gallery director, writer, musician and television host and with a deep commitment to progressive and peaceful activism and education. Since 2003 Steve has been Director of the San Francisco Art Exchange, LLC, representing the fine art of Ronnie Wood, Roger Dean, Storm Thorgerson and Alberto Vargas as well as numerous rock and celebrity photographers, including Robert Freeman, Terry O'Neill, Ethan Russell, Jim Marshall, Mick Rock and Pattie Boyd. Among the prominent artworks represented by Steve at SFAE: The cover and outtake photographs for Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Abbey Road, Meet the Beatles, Rubber Soul; the original art to numerous Pink Floyd, YES and Grateful Dead album covers; album cover and related iconic photography of the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, the Who, Jimi Hendrix, and the Doors, among many others. Steve graduated from Webster University in 1983 with a BA in Literature and History. He lived for 10 years in Lawrence, KS, playing music all over the U.S. with his band The Backsliders, before moving to California in 1993, where he established a career as a television host and producer (Filmtrip, Soundwaves) before accepting his current position at SFAE. Steve lives in Mill Valley, CA with his wife Esther Vela, native of Madrid, Spain.

Silvina Vergara
Passionately dedicated to the healing arts, Silvina specializes in sound work and movement. She is holistic counselor, conscious guide,educator, singer, minister, dance instructor, and she incorporates dance, drama and movement composition to her training. She plays the singing crystal bowls and brings more than twenty years of experience in the areas of energy work, self-development, movement and voice. Slivina holds a certification in sound healing and has completed training in Sahuka, a synthesis on high Egyptian Alchemy, Taoism and Tibetan Buddhism.