Kirtan is call and response chanting during which we sing out the many different names of the Divine. Kirtan purifies the heart so that love is more freely given and received. Over 90 minutes, Susannah and Ege will be sharing stories of the deities to whom we will chant, as well as their most heartfelt teachings that they have been given through the years. Good voice, bad voice, no voice — it doesn’t matter! This is an evening about connection and community. Families are always welcome, and children under 16 come for free. Join us!
Susannah grew up singing her way through life. Her mother regularly recounts that when she was a baby in her crib, she knew Susannah was awake because she would be singing happily to herself. Susannah went to Hindu Sunday School, and often sat with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (Gurudev/Pundaji) during his first trips to the states from whom she learned her first mantra, Om Namah Shivaya. She continued singing throughout her life, and found Bhakti Yoga in 2008. She has been teaching Yoga, and chanting with groups since 2010 all over the states and the world. Her chanting style is both a powerful and accessible way to plant the seeds of God in your heart. Her first album with Egemen Sanli, called "Ringing The Bells", will be released in Spring of 2023.
Egemen (Ege) is a modern dervish traveling to find his own voice within world music, carrying the flag of his Turkish roots as a musician. Ege plays the sitar alongside other ethnic instruments (shamisen, saz, hang and handpan drums, banjo, flutes) and is able to bring out the mystic and invigorating qualities of all. He utilizes beats, loops and tanpura machines to compliment his joyful improvisations based on traditional Eastern ragas. Ege lives in San Francisco and performs regularly in the Bay Area, he is also a certified Yoga teacher.