Ahlay Blakely
Alexandra “ahlay” Blakely is a descendant of Ashkenazic, Scandinavian, and British folk. She is an artist, singer-songwriter, communal grief tender, community organizer, facilitator, and ceramicist walking the path of ancestral healing and the reclaiming of lost cultural memories. Her community singing album, Spells from the Unknown encapsulates songs for the community to transform, ask questions, and seek to lead lives in service to the future ones. Her upcoming 2024 community singing album, WAILS: Songs for Grief was recorded in July 2023 with a choir of 200 voices. The album is completely dedicated to grief, inspired by the Whales of the…
Alberto Suarez
Alberto Suarez is an educator and actor also involved behind the scenes in music and film production. Born in Ecuador, he was raised in Los Angeles surrounded by a family of educators and artists. He has over 7 years experience working in the LAUSD. As a student and staff member in both public and private educational institutions, and as a member of Arise Shine Center, Alberto has built a broad perspective and unique skill set that makes him particularly equipped to foster connection, imagination, critical thinking, curiosity, and kindness.
Amanda Edwards
“Humans have more natural tools for healing, clarity, and divine connection than most of us acknowledge,” Edwards says. “I’m here to remind anyone off the street how powerful they actually are — and how much invisible support surrounds them.” Recently moving to Ojai from Pasadena, Edwards first felt drawn by her family’s history in the area; her grandparents owned and ran the Ojai Valley News in the 1950s and for a time raised their three children, including Edwards’ father, on Park Road. When she found her own new home was in Ojai’s historic spiritualist neighborhood adjacent to the Theosophical Society’s…
Amaya Isela
Amaya lives from her heart. She naturally gives care to people and the earth and is deeply connected to the present transformation process to greater vitality, safety, peace, and Love. Her heart guided her to India where she entered a two month full time Hatha and Ashtanga teacher training at Alahk Yog. She entered Yogic Cleansing processes, meditation and diet which opened a fundamental transformation process of her mind, body, and approach to life. She continues a committed daily practice and Yogic Lifestyle. She then traveled the globe for 3 years, teaching Yoga and living and learning at Permaculture Eco-Communities.…
Ani Samaha
Anita (Ani) Samaha has been working with diverse populations for over 20 years, creating connections through nature, council, and team building activities. She co-founded the Santa Barbara Lesbian Meetup group, now with close to 1000 members. She holds a Masters in Chinese Medicine, where her love for helping people and providing healing work began. She helped create a semester abroad program for 16-19 year olds in New Zealand, where living in community fostered a deep sense of belonging and support for the youth. Ani’s had the joy of working with various organizations/institutions including Wilderness Outdoor Leadership Foundation, Santa Barbara Boys…
Anita Samaha
Anita (Ani) Samaha has been working with diverse populations for over 20 years, creating connections through nature, council, and team building activities. She co-founded the Santa Barbara Lesbian Meetup group, now with close to 1000 members. She holds a Masters in Chinese Medicine, where her love for helping people and providing healing work began. She helped create a semester abroad program for 16-19 year olds in New Zealand, where living in community fostered a deep sense of belonging and support for the youth. Ani’s had the joy of working with various organizations/institutions including Wilderness Outdoor Leadership Foundation, Santa Barbara Boys…
Arnaé Batson
Arnaé Batson is a Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and song leader who uses music to create spiritual pathways for health and wholeness while advocating for progressive social change. Her dedication to racial and environmental justice is an extension of her work with the internationally acclaimed ensemble, Sweet Honey In The Rock. Arnaé currently serves as artistic director for the Hearts Afire Community Choir and the Voices Raised LA Vocal Collective, two grassroots acapella groups based in Los Angeles. She also contributes original compositions to the Art/Theomusicology Working Group of the California Poor People’s Campaign. Over the past year, Arnaé has expanded…
Camille Dieterle
Camille Dieterle creates embodied nature-based experiences to reconnect with nature and ourselves. She is a certified nature and forest therapy guide and a licensed occupational therapist specializing in nature-based and lifestyle interventions to improve health and wellbeing. Camille is an Associate Professor of Clinical Occupational Therapy at the University of Southern California where she created the USC Peace Garden, an outdoor space for wellness, education, and community programs. Camille has an extensive background in dance and yoga and sees the body as a gateway for exploring our relationship to ourselves and the more than human world.
Chakra Earthsong
Chakra Earthsong is a passionate practitioner of Conscious Dance and Moving Meditation for over four decades. Certified in numerous modalities, Chakra is the founder and innovator of KeVita Probiotic Drinks. Prior, she practiced as a Holistic Nutritionist and teacher of whole and raw food nutrition in Ojai, home to her family for over 20 years.
Chelan Harkin
Chelan Harkin’s poetry journey began at age 21 on the heels of a traumatic event, a mystical event, and a creative opening, where inspired verse started to pour through her with little need for editing. Her experience with channeling the muse was profound and intimate. It took Chelan 12 years to find the courage to share her poetry with the world through her first self-published book, Susceptible to Light. Her publishing journey began at the end of 2020 and since the journey began, Chelan has traveled the country as an inspirational speaker, talking about mysticism as the path of opening…
Craig Judelman
Craig Judelman (Violin) grew up in Seattle and since the age of four, was never more comfortable than when he had a fiddle in his hand. He started with classical music but was quickly drawn to traditional folk cultures, studying Klezmer, Jazz, American and other folk music wherever he could. His passion for engaging with the sounds in old recordings and adapting to what the moment demands has led him around the world, performing and teaching klezmer and old time American folk music on both sides of the Atlantic. Highlights of his recordings include ‘Have Moicy 2’ featuring Peter Stampfel…
D~Joy Soule aka Patrick Soule
Patrick Soule aka “D~Joy Soule” brings soulful, heart opening vibes. Drawing from his Detroit roots, D~Joy Soule aims to inspire dancers healing, moving and grooving; blending many genres including jazz, reggae, funk, electronica and global sounds.
David Listenberger
David Listenberger came to council through his work in music. Hired as a vocal arts instructor at Crossroads School in 1999, David quickly found a home practicing and witnessing the power of council with students, parents, teachers, alum – all members of a school community. David has a B.A. in English from Chapman University and an M.S. in Education from the University of Southern California. David has served as the Chair of the Life Skills program at Crossroads School and has facilitated councils for all manner of groups for over 23 years, including men’s circles, women’s circles, circles of…
Debbie Nargi-Brown
For over 3 decades, Debbie Nargi-Brown has been leading dancing and singing in Santa Cruz and beyond; leading Community Sings as well as facilitating retreats and workshops. She writes songs for the heart, for healing, for transformation, for love, for grief and all those things that connect us as human beings. Bringing people together in dance and song is one of her greatest sources of joy! To learn more go to debbienargi-brown.com Where to listen to Debbie’s music: https://www.debbienargi-brown.com/albums/ https://debbienargi-brown.bandcamp.com/ https://soundcloud.com/debbie-nargi-brown https://www.youtube.com/@debbienargi-brown-music AND ON ALL STREAMING PLATFORMS-Spotify, Apple music, itunes etc.
Debbie Nargi-Brown
For over 3 decades, Debbie Nargi-Brown has been leading dancing and singing in Santa Cruz and beyond; leading Community Sings as well as facilitating retreats and workshops. She writes songs for the heart, for healing, for transformation, for love, for grief and all those things that connect us as human beings. Bringing people together in dance and song is one of her greatest sources of joy! To learn more go to debbienargi-brown.com Where to listen to Debbie’s music: https://www.debbienargi-brown.com/albums/ https://debbienargi-brown.bandcamp.com/ https://soundcloud.com/debbie-nargi-brown https://www.youtube.com/@debbienargi-brown-music AND ON ALL STREAMING PLATFORMS-Spotify, Apple music, itunes etc.
Doug Adrianson
A leader of numerous council training programs over two decades, Doug Adrianson has facilitated weekly circles with students at five schools in Southern California; has guided rites-of-passage programs for hundreds of teenagers and adults; has presented council trainings in schools, prisons, corporations, and nonprofit organizations; and served 11 years on the Ojai Foundation Board of Directors. A lifelong writer and editor who loves the power of language, Doug holds a journalism degree from Northwestern University and brings to his council work the experience of 25 years in daily newspaper editing, mainly at the Miami Herald and Los Angeles Times. His…
Galit & Shay Hanien
Galit & Shay Hanien Council trainers have been married for 30 years and are the proud parents of three children. Together, they have led Council and Flesh and Spirit workshops around the world. They were trained directly by Jack Zimmerman and Dr. Jacquelyn McCandless, the founders of the Flesh and Spirit practice, and bring warmth, deep presence, and their rich knowledge and experience to every group they lead.
Hans Gruenn MD
Dr. Gruenn received his doctorate from the University of Heidelberg, Germany, where he did postgraduate training in Internal Medicine and a fellowship in Psychosomatic Medicine. He underwent postgraduate training at LA County/USC. Dr. Gruenn currently has offices in Ojai and Los Angeles. Dr. Gruenn’s professional experience in Europe and the U.S. puts him at the forefront of Functional and Integrative Medicine. Dr. Gruenn is a well-known lecturer and gives workshops on Family Constellations for 20 years. Learn more about Hans Gruenn MD on his website www.drgruenn.com.
Heather Stevenson
Heather Stevenson is a community song leader based in Santa Barbara, where she has been leading song circles since 2019. Believing strongly in music’s ability to facilitate human connection, she creates an inclusive environment that welcomes singers of all abilities. Guiding singers with skill and humor, Heather teaches short, impactful songs by ear to uplift, inspire, and soothe participants. Her approach merges music and camaraderie, designed to make each participant feel part of something truly special. Heather not only brings together communities in beautiful song, but also fosters feelings of connection, love, and joy. The result is a vibrant celebration…
Ilya Shneyveys
Originally from Riga, now based in Brooklyn, NY, Ilya Shneyveys (Accordion) is a multi-instrumentalist, educator, composer, arranger, and producer of Yiddish music. With expertise spanning from traditional klezmer accordion to experimental and fusion projects, Ilya performs and teaches at Jewish festivals around the world, in venues ranging from your local synagogue catering hall to Carnegie Hall. Ilya is a founding member of Berlin’s Neukölln Klezmer Sessions and Shtetl Berlin, and a long-time faculty member of Yiddish Summer Weimar. His notable projects and collaborations include Forshpil, Alpen Klezmer, KaraYam, Caravan Orchestra, Dobranotch, Shekedina, Michael Winograd and The Klezmatics. Ilya has received…
Irasha Talifero
Irasha Talifero has lived in the Ojai Valley since 1976 and has cultivated a wealth of local connections. She moved to Ojai to have and raise her son, Snowshadow Talifero, who is now a local hero — a fireman who protected the ridge that Topa Institute now calls home during the Thomas Fire. The same year Irasha arrived in Ojai was the first time she went up to the ridge above what is now the Besant Hill School, then the home of Human Dimensions Institute West. She soon began volunteering and gardening on the site, planting some of what remains there…
JakeJohn
JakeJohn Aufderheide is a beloved Ojai resident serving our community with lively dancing. A one time teacher, author, director, camera man, musician, father, brother, son, dancer, and facilitator. A generalist. A lover of people, planet, and animals.
Jamy Myatt
Jamy Myatt is a council trainer in the Ojai Foundation tradition who has spent 25 years leading council at Crossroads School, weaving the practice into the heart of learning for students in grades 6–12 and guiding countless senior rites of passage journeys. Beyond the classroom, Jamy has facilitated faculty, staff, and beloved parent councils, as well as council trainings for individuals launching community circles and affinity groups of their own. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Raised as the child of a Marine Corps officer, Jamy grew up constantly entering new…
Jason Ingram
Jason Ingram is a Student Council Coordinator, an Academic Advisor, and a Life Skills Guidance Leader for the Rite of Passage program at Crossroads School for Arts and Sciences. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts from Morehouse College. Jason is certified in Council training and leadership skills, and have worked in education for 10 years, as assistant leader of clinics for the Lakers Youth Foundation, and coached Girls Basketball for 14 years. As an alum of Crossroads, Jason have been able to fine tune his skills in listening and connecting with today’s Youth to help them along their…
Jimmy Murn
Jimmy Murn is a certified meditation teacher living in Playa del Rey. He has taught mindfulness, life skills, creative free play, and sports in the West LA Charter school community since 2015, specializing in social-emotional care. Jimmy has been meditating for 24 years. He also sings, writes songs, acts, and tries to make his family laugh everyday.
Leon Berg
Leon is a founding member of the Ojai Foundation, an educational sanctuary in Southern California. He is a Senior Trainer of the Way of Council, and has been facilitating Council groups in the U.S. and abroad for over 30 years. Together with his partner, Glori Zeltzer, he teaches the Art of Intimate Conversation to couples.
Lori Austein
Lori is a Trainer in the Way of Council and has been facilitating Council groups in the U.S. and Canada for over 24 years. She was a co-coordinator of the Palms Council Project, a school-based council program, and has served on circles to advance the practice of Council such as the Trainer’s Mentoring Circle, which shepherds the path and the people seeking to become facilitators and trainers, and now on Ways of Council, a virtual hub for both the ways of council that have grown out of The Ojai Foundation lineage, and bearing witness to ancient and emergent circle ways…
Lydia Violet
Lydia Violet is an Iranian-Armenian-American folk multi-instrumentalist, revolutionary, culture-tender, grief-worker, and mischief-maker. With her live band, she weaves together her songwriting, folk standards, Iranian ballads, 3-part harmonies, fiddle, banjo, and collective singing into an altar of music to lay at our feet. She is the creator behind Singing the Bones, a course with Leah Song of Rising Appalachia, and a music project that brings American artists together to explore and share folk music from their ancestries, encouraging cultural revitalization and diasporic healing. She has engaged in vibrant collaborations with world-renowned artists Climbing PoeTree, Rising Appalachia, MaMuse, and Lyla June. Lydia studied dedicatedly…
Maggie Wheeler
Maggie Wheeler is best known in the US and internationally for her work as an actress in film, television and voice-over, and most notably as the character of Janice on NBC’s hit series Friends. Maggie is a passionate singer, songwriter, choir director and workshop facilitator. She has been teaching her vocal workshop for over 30 years at retreat centers, universities, and in communities to provide the experience of creating interpersonal and internal harmony through the powerful act of creating vocal harmony. For 17 years Maggie directed the 100-voice Golden Bridge Community Choir in Hollywood—an intergenerational, non-auditioned choir. She is a…
MaMuse
Wholeheartedly fed by the folk and gospel traditions, MaMuse (Sarah Nutting and Karisha Longaker) create uplifting music to inspire the world into thriving. Interweaving brilliant and haunting harmony with lyrics born of honed emotional intelligence, MaMuse invokes a musical presence that inspires the opening of the heart. Playing a family of varied acoustic instruments including upright bass, guitar, mandolins, and flutes, these two powerful women embody a love for all life. The synergy that is created through this musical connection is palpable and truly moving to witness.
Marc Rosner
Marc Rosner is the Founder of Circle Learning Institute. Marc has a diverse background as a classroom teacher, a lawyer, a mediator, and a Way of Council and restorative justice leader, trainer, and mentor. Marc has been leading circles in schools (and out) for two decades and has provided training, coaching, and consulting to support thousands of educators to integrate circles and restorative practices into their classrooms and schools. He also has over three decades of experience as a lawyer and mediator helping schools, families, organizations, businesses, and individuals resolve conflicts, repair harms, and restore relationships. Marc held multiple leadership…
Melanie DeMore
Melanie DeMore is a three-time Grammy nominated singer/composer, choral conductor, music director, and vocal activist who believes in the power of voices raised together. In her presentations, DeMore beautifully brings her participants together through her music and commentary. DeMore facilitates vocal and stick-pounding workshops for professional choirs and community groups, as well as directing numerous choral organizations across the US, Canada, and beyond. She is a featured presenter of SpeakOut! (The Institute for Social and Cultural Change); the Master Teaching Artist for Music at UC Berkeley/CalPerformances; works with everyone from Baptists to Buddhists; and was a founding member of the…
Meredith Scott Lynn
Meredith has been drumming for Maggie Wheeler’s song circles and LA-based community choir for over 20 years. A “familiar but not famous” actress, Meredith is most recognized for her roles in films such as Legally Blonde and countless television series, in addition to her almost six-year stint on Days Of Our Lives. Meredith launched her children’s education company WRiTE BRAiN BOOKS ten years ago and has been a full time social entrepreneur and speaker, working to elevate self-esteem in the most under–resourced, undervalued, and underperforming students in America. She cannot wait to be bangin’ her djembes and shakin’ her shakers for these women of song coming to…
Moriel Rothman-Zecher
Moriel Rothman-Zecher is the author of the novels Before All the World (Farrar, Straus and Giroux), which was named an NPR Book of 2022, and Sadness Is a White Bird (Atria Books / Simon and Schuster), for which he received the National Book Foundation’s ‘5 Under 35’ Honor, and which was a finalist for the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, the winner of the Ohioana Book Award, a finalist for a National Jewish Book Award, and longlisted for the Center for Fiction’s First Novel Prize. His poems and essays have been published or are forthcoming in The American Poetry Review, Barrelhouse,…
O’ Kawai Kin
O’Kawai [pronounced ka’wai] Kin (she/they) is an educator, council facilitator, artist, and musicianShe studied sociology at Oregon State, Ventura College, and San Jose State University, where she also played on the women’s basketball teams. Following graduation, O’Kawai worked for five years as a behavioral therapist for children with autism. In 2009, she began working with Celebrate Life, an outdoor education organization in which the council practice is instrumental. It was through these experiences that led to O’Kawai’s desire to become a council trainer and ceremonialist. O’Kawai worked at the Ojai Foundation as a facilitator for Rites of Passage and other…
Open Circle
Adam and Miriam are co founders of Open Circle established in 2019. They are experts in the field of transformational education specializing in forms of participatory leadership. Leading this workshop at the Topa Institute, formerly The Ojai Foundation, brings a full circle moment for Adam and Miriam. Adam Rumack was a resident and staff member of the Ojai Foundation for 6 years. After meeting Miriam in 2015, he invited her to join him as co-executive director of the Ojai Foundation from 2016–2017, at the end of his tenure there. Over the past ten years they have trained hundreds of leaders…
Paul Magoulas
Specializing in Esalen Massage and Bodywork, I teach for the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California, as well as offering individual sessions to my clients. The historic Institute offers transformational workshops in the Americas, Europe and Asia and is a leading center for exploring and realizing human potential through experience, education and research. Born in the US and raised between Greece and the North of England, I spend my time in California and in the Greek islands where I offer retreats and professional trainings in the art and science of touch. Visit Paul Magoula’s website Follow him on Facebook
Professor Agulha
Born in Russia, I moved to New York as a child. At the age of 14, I walked into a Capoeira class and immediately fell in love with the art. Under the guidance of my teacher, Mestre Zumbi, I started a class in Central NJ when I was 19. After a few persistent years, I began to form a solid group of adults. With help from some of my students and much support from the group, I was able to introduce Capoeira programs to some of the local schools, which quickly became very popular amongst the kids and the parents.…
Sage Stoneman and Friends
About a decade ago, I discovered natural building as a new medium for artistic expression. After apprenticing with Sun Ray Kelley, I began designing and building cob homes for a living. I believe that “home” is a feeling that can be embodied in the structures we live in. A feeling that every human deserves as a birth right. For me, home is a feeling of childlike wonder which connects me to all of life, and a safe space to be when I need to retreat from the overwhelm of this world and connect with my innermost being. I am passionate…
Sam Koseff
Sam Koseff (They/he) is a student at Goucher College in Baltimore, Maryland, studying dance and gender studies. He is a council facilitator, dancer, choreographer, and academic. They started participation in council at Crossroads Middle School in the 6th grade and began facilitating councils in the 10th grade as part of Crossroads High schools Queer Student Union. They have continued to lead councils while at college and intern at TOPA. They love council and are happy to be in space and community surrounding it.
Sarah Myerson
Sarah Myerson (Vocals, Percussion, Dance Leading) is an ordained cantor actively working to connect egalitarian Jewish religious with secular/cultural Yiddish communities. Currently living in Brooklyn, she has led Yiddish dance at weddings and taught workshops and private lessons in the USA, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Israel, and Australia. Sarah has studied Yiddish language in New York and Israel. She has taught Yiddish song workshops with Ethel Raim and others in the USA and Europe, and coaches private students. An active composer, she performs new works, for example with Ilya Shneyveys as Jewish spiritual music duo Shekedina. www.cantorsarahmyerson.com
Sasha Lurje
Sasha Lurje (Vocals, Percussion) was born in Riga Latvia. When a friend invited her to join a youth theater focusing on Yiddish work, she didn’t realize how her life path had suddenly shifted. Receiving early mentorship by many of the giants of the Yiddish music revival, including Lorin Sklamberg (the Klezmatics’ vocalist, with whom Sasha and Craig now tour) and Michael Alpert, also now a frequent collaborator), at several festivals in Russia and Yiddish Summer Weimar in Germany propelled her to the forefront of the contemporary Yiddish scene. It wasn’t long before she was joining her heroes on stage, and…
Seshen
Based in Ojai, Seshen has been facilitating Soul Motion™ as a certified teacher in workshops and events around the world—including in Iceland, Austria, Norway, Canada, Japan, and the United States—since 2011. Soul Motion™, created by Vincent Martínez-Grieco, is a transformative conscious dance practice that celebrates authenticity, creativity, sensitivity, and connection within each individual. Rooted in opening the senses and deep listening—toward the world, both within and without—it offers a journey home to your living, breathing self. Learn more about Seshen and Soul Motion: link https://seshenarts.com/soul-motion/
Shai Ardebilchi
Shai Ardebilchi is a drummer, percussionist, energy healer, and ceremonialist based in Ojai, California. A devoted firekeeper in his community, Shai shares a deep connection to Earth, body, and spirit through immersive healing sound journeys. His offerings are rooted in reverence for the natural world and a commitment to creating sacred space for transformation and restoration. With a background in ceremonial work and a lifelong relationship with rhythm, Shai intuitively weaves live instrumentation with the subtle movements of energy in a space. He performs using quartz crystal singing bowls, Tibetan singing bowls, tubular chimes, gongs, hand drums, and other vibrational…
Shay Hanien
Shay Hanien earned his BA in Business Administration from the Tel Aviv College of Business Administration, and his MBA with distinction from Ecole Superiere de Gestion in Paris. He has been involved in council training with his wife Galit since 2002. Shay has focused his contributions to the community in the areas of transformational change with teaching staff, students, elderly and retirees as well as with entrepreneurs and businesses. Shay believes in sharing with all people the power of authentic and open communication through experiments and learning. He has 20 years of experience in the business, corporate and academic world…
Shine Rilling
Visionary, world bridger, teacher, healer, musician, and Earth Ally. Shine is a master of flow state, human transformation and life force energy. He is the founder of World Peace Tribe, Peace Sticks, School of the Peaceful Ninja, and Shining Lion Music. He holds an honors degree in Biology and minors in Psychology, Philosophy, and Spanish. He is a passionate father or two, and deeply committed to children and the future generations. Shine’s love of surfing, ecology, movement and healing traditions of indigenous cultures has led him on a life-long learning journey. He has traveled to over 15 countries and speaks…
Stacey Platt
Stacey Platt is a modern mystic with an MBA. In addition to co-founding a lifestyle management business, she has spent years in India, Peru, Brazil and Chile learning from esteemed meditation, yoga and Shamanic teachers. Stacey’s passion and practice is about applying ancient wisdom to our modern issues. Her latest venture, Mystic Menopause, supports women as they navigate the psychological and spiritual aspects of menopause.
Taylor Morgan
Taylor Morgan is a former radio host who found her calling in Council. She has facilitated and taught Council in schools, prisons, corporate settings and as part of her work as an officiant of weddings. memorials and other occasions of significance.
Teja Anand
Teja Anand has been practicing and guiding meditation and non-dual awakening for 50 years, and has a worldwide following. He has demonstrated a knack for distilling the essence of the great sages and teachings from all eras and facilitating a powerful shift and transmission for those he counsels. He is the author of the acclaimed meditation book, Watching Your Life: Meditation simplified & demystified and his new book The Folly of Enlightenment is forthcoming. “Sitting with Teja in meditation is an indescribable and immediately transformative experience. He shares a great love for all his friends on the path” — Latha…
Teresa Jayne
Teresa Jayne is a highly gifted, experienced healer, maintaining a decades long private practice in Ojai, and Detroit. She leads depth workshops and healing retreats. She is founder and president of EarthWalk-Ojai Spiritual Village (a non-profit organization) and EarthSchool – a school for healers of all modalities. Visit Teresa’s website here.
The Riverside
Jake Jeanson | Lead Vocals, Guitar, Percussion Jake Jeanson seeks to enter the old, wooden gate of storytelling. Seeing himself as a stranger and pilgrim on the earth, his lyrics and song arrangements embark to uncover the ancient ruins and relics of truth. Kristen Posey | Cello, Harp, Vocal Harmony Kristen Posey (KP) is a songstress whose main instruments resemble the minstrels of old. She seamlessly weaves together her vocal harmonies, cello, and celtic harp into a heartstrung and ardent performance. Chase Fierro | Fiddle, Mandolin, Vocal Harmony Chase Fierro traverses the highlands and lowlands of his main instrument, the…
The Venerable Bhakha Tulku Rinpoche
The Ven. Bhakha Tulku Rinpoche is the 10th incarnation in the Bhakha Tulku lineage. He is also recognized as the embodiment of other important Tibetan Buddhist masters including Vairotsana, the great translator for Guru Rinpoche in 8th century Tibet, and the renowned treasure-revealers Dorje Lingpa (b.1346), and Pema Lingpa of Bhutan (b.1450).
Tom Nolan
Tom Nolan is a council trainer, musician, and family man. He taught council for 36 years at the Crossroads School in Santa Monica, where he worked in several positions. He has been a council consultant and trainer for Snap, Inc., and has seeded council programs at several California schools. He has co-led many council trainings at the Ojai Foundation, now Topa Institute. As a musician, he has been running the Tom Nolan Band for over thirty years. He co-leads the RAGTAG Band, which started playing in his driveway during the pandemic. He is married to Peggy O’Brien, who chaired the…
Tony Khalife
Rooted in the eastern tradition of sacred music and devotion of India and the middle east, Lebanese-born musician Tony Khalife has been composing and performing music for over fifty years. He has assisted in over 1000 healing retreats of yoga and Sufi Dance of Oneness with his music guiding the participants on a mystical journey of self-discovery. Learn more on www.tonykhalife.com
Vicki Topp
I began my studies in somatic bodywork and cross-cultural healing practices over 50 years ago at Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California. I am a founding member of the team that started the Esalen Massage School and continue to contribute to its evolution. I teach massage as a sensory based embodiment practice and a somatic form of meditation using a variety of movement modalities to create a safe and supportive learning environment. I practice a dynamic and creative form of bodywork that can include contacting the body’s subtle vibrations and fluid embryological origins to exploring our movements and reaches into…
Wayne Marshall
Wayne comes from a family of singers and as a singer-songwriter, has performed at house concerts and venues such as Soho in Santa Barbara. He has been an enthusiastic participant in community singing events such as Soul Village in Santa Cruz and the Ojai Songfest. He has been the principal organizer and song leader for the monthly Ojai Song Circle. He has been inspired and mentored as a song leader by the extraordinary Debbie Nargi-Brown. Wayne and his partner Katherine McClelland are co-founders of Sacred Voices Ojai: Community Songs, Poetry & Spoken Word Events and have hosted esteemed song leaders…