(See Dave’s music bio here.)
Kamini’s music flows from the spirit within. Through inspiration she weaves the intricacies of Eastern melody and rhythm with western harmony. Her journey of music was initiated by her mother. Kamini spent over a decade learning Indian classical music and won several national level awards.
She has performed at various venues in India and USA. She has collaborated with musicians of various music genres- from Rock to Persian ! Kamini’s music is spiritual and soulful, her rendition of Ragas creative and free flowing.
Kamini holds a graduate degree in Indian Hindustani Classical music and has several national and international awards for vocal music. She is the author of Kirtan ebook Indian Ragas for Kirtans. She organizes Kirtan meet ups around Southern California and also curates, shares articles and resources about Kirtans and Mantras on Chants for Meditation.com website. She works with Kirtan leaders and yoga teachers across the world to teach Indian Ragas, Sanskrit and Vedic Mantras with an emphasis on sounds and pronunciation.
Kamini also works as the V.P. of Digital Marketing for Topix Skin Health and leads several digital marketing teams for five of its DTC brands. Her keen focus on business, growth, data and analytics during her day job comes in handy and applies well to music as well.
“I truly believe that music unites and Kirtan singing is a way to connect with our community as well as with ourselves. For me that is the goal with Auricle Collective.”
Seán has a Masters Degree in Creation Spirituality with a focus on chant and devotional singing from The Naropa Institute where he apprenticed with south Indian musician Russill Paul, author of The Yoga of Sound. Seán founded The Wild Lotus Band as a post-hurricane Katrina philanthropic music project, raising funds across the country for relief from the devastation of the storm. The theme of searching for grace and inspiration amidst challenge and destruction has permeated their music ever since. The band merges conscious lyrics, sacred chants from the spiritual traditions of yoga and beyond, and roots, rock, gospel, and global grooves to create a universal style of cross-cultural spiritual music. They are a favorite headliner at conscious music festivals across the U.S. and have played The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on multiple occasions.
Seán is also the founder of Wild Lotus Yoga studio dubbed “New Orleans Home for Heart-Centered Yoga and Down-To-Earth-Spirituality,” and the Soul School Teacher Training Program which focuses on teaching with skill, heart, and imagination. He is the co-curator and coordinator of Putumayo World Music’s music-for-yoga compilations. Seán was a leading member of a volunteer post-Hurricane Katrina think tank that transformed a historic 55,000 square foot furniture warehouse in downtown New Orleans into a multi-disciplinary healing center. With the goal of having chant music be more visibly recognized and respected in the wider music culture– Seán co-led and co-authored the successful proposal to change the name of the GRAMMY category from “New Age” to “New Age, Ambient, or Chant.”
“A gift that has always inspired me most about chant music is its participatory, communal nature– that our voices together have greater potential to inspire, heal, and transform than apart. I’m excited for the Auricle Collective to explore new creative ways to amplify and share this gift.”
Since 2006 she has been training leaders of sacred activism through her co-founded organization Off The Mat, Into the World. She served as director of OTM’s Global Seva Challenge which raised over $3.5 million by activating yoga communities and raising awareness about critical global issues. She spent time working with communities in the U.S., India, Cambodia, Haiti, Ecuador, Uganda, and South Africa supporting community resilience. In addition to her work with OTM, Suzanne has leveraged the power of her musical message to support hundreds of causes from animal rights to environmental justice, from women’s empowerment to pay equity, and more.
For over 25 years Suzanne has worked with the International Reclaiming Community, co-creating public ritual and training teachers in earth-based spirituality. She offers year-long training in Sacred Leadership and is part of the nationwide faculty for both YogaWorks Teacher Trainings and Globe Sound Healing Institute. As an artist, Suzanne has released 5 solo albums, numerous DVD soundtracks and has made guest appearances on over 15 albums and compilations.
“Singing together is one of the great mystical paths to Union and Joy. Our goal with Auricle Collective is to support the musicians who make this music, to amplify the healing and uplifting power of this music and to remind all of us that we are a crucial part of the collective song! “
(See Suzanne’s music bio here)