Kirtan Leader Blog

Check out the May 2020 issue of Yoga Journal for a fun article titled The Harmonium for Beginners. This article chronicles KLI student Jennifer Davis Flynn’s journey through our Level 1 (Launch Your Home Chant Practice) in...

Vocalist, voice teacher and Kirtan Leader Institute instructor Dawnia Dresser has a beautiful way of describing the difference between singing and sacred chant.

1. The External Loop 

Dawnia has been singing since age...

June 2019 I visited the Bay Area to work on new tracks and participate in a 4-day Integral Unfolding retreat.

I’m very lucky to have a beautiful and welcoming home in which to stay while in town. One evening I...

Folks often ask me about how to pump their bellows effectively and appropriately. Each harmonium is unique, and the key is to refrain from over, or under pumping the bellows. Hand placement and airflow management...

In November I wrote a blog post on how to pump your bellows – aka, left hand technique (assuming you’re playing right handed).

This blog post offers a few do’s and don’ts for your right hand...

A COMMON STORY

Seems like every week I hear a story with the following elements from one of our Kirtan Leader Institute studente:

Part 1:    I bought my harmonium a year ago in the hopes of learning how to chant at...

It was her first lesson, and very first time playing the harmonium.

I instructed her to place her thumb on the middle C, and pinky on the middle G. She squeezed the bellows with her left hand. A broad smile...

Coltrane, Ray Charles and Elvis

As a musician I struggle with the notion of cultural appropriation. The great jazz saxophonist John Coltrane was influenced not only by a rapidly evolving jazz tradition, but also Indian...

Kirtan is a mystery.

We chant mantras (words/syllables) and incredible things happen such as:

1. We feel more connected to our self, and others. 
2. We feel a connection with the Divine. 
3. Essential qualities of presence,...

Lots of folks ask me about Kirtan lessons, and Kirtan classes. They want to know about Kirtan education, and Kirtan schools. Their hope is to learn to chant at home (and perhaps share with others) so they can get their Bhakti...