San Diego Music Workshop

When I travel I'm always trying to find ways to raise capacity and distribute what I've learnt in my short trips to communities around the world. We all have so much to learn from one another, and I find that many friends want to learn how they too can contribute to building more musical communities. I'm really trying to learn how my work can be sustained in my absence, months/years after I visit a community. So I've developed these short 2-3 hour workshops that reflect on the importance of the Arts and putting the Sacred Writings to music, qualities the music should possess when partnered with the Sacred Texts, and developing our own capacities as musicians to set original melodies to the Writings. Seen here are the participants of one of the workshops we held in the San Diego region. 

'They who recite the verses of the All-Merciful in the most melodious of tones will perceive in them that with which the sovereignty of earth and heaven can never be compared…. Say: These verses draw hearts that are pure unto those spiritual worlds that can neither be expressed in words nor intimated by allusion. Blessed be those who hearken.'

- The Kitab-i-Aqdas

Del Sur, California

The Iraninejad Family hosted a wonderful evening of music in their home with about 60 friends from the neighbourhood. It was also the night before my birthday, hence the birthday candles :) What a wonderful way to spend my birthday, doing what I love to such a warm and friendly audience. Was such a treat to meet so many dedicated friends who are investing so much time and energy into enriching the lives of children in their community in such creative ways! 

Tiny Havoc @ Guilt & Co.

Not many of you may know this, but I also play in a small indie Jazz band in Vancouver called Tiny Havoc  with some of my friends and former colleagues at the Sarah McLachlan School of Music. It's really fun to play around with lyrics and melody amongst such talented friends/musicians. 

We just finished recording out debut album and hope to release it before this Summer. Here are some photos from a recent gig we played at a local venue, Guilt & Co. 

Frisco, Texas

Spent the afternoon and evening with youth in Frisco discussing themes such as living a coherent life, balancing service with study, and how to integrate the arts into community building. The evening ended with a few songs shared by myself and some of the talented youth. 

Rockwall, Texas

Was an honour to work with roughly 20 Junior Youth and Youth from the Rockwall neighbourhood on memorizing some of the quotes they had chosen to put to music. We reflected on the importance of eloquence, reverence, articulation, phrasing and style when it comes to putting the sacred writings of Faith to music. We were limited in space and time, but our hearts were full with excitement and enthusiasm. Seen here are youth in various areas of the house, putting their chosen Writing to music. Was so inspiring to see the creativity these youth possessed and their elevated contributions to understanding the role of arts and music in unifying our communities. Many thanks to the de la Torre family for hosting so many friends and their families from the neighbourhood. 

 

 

Houston, Texas

Was able to participate in a couple Ayyám-i-Há celebrations in the Houston Area including the childrens' festival pictured below. I also got to perform at a Fundraiser at the Baha'i Centre. I didn't get any photos from the performance but here is a picture of the really amazing mural on the outer wall of the centre, painted by non other than Weah. 

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Sharing music and stories at the Baton Rouge Baha'i Centre. 

Was also lucky enough to have a talented percussionist, Asghar Naqvi, join me on stage. The music sounded so much better with him on board. Made me wish I could have my very own ensemble tour with me wherever I go. 

Nanaimo, B.C.

Had the opportunity to spend the afternoon with some youth in Nanaimo, BC, who were studying book 1 and wanted to gain some skills in memorizing the Baha'i writings through music. Later that evening the youth were able to share their new original melodies at a house concert I was performing at. It was so lovely to see their innate capacity and enthusiasm to create and share their work. 

Photo taken by one of the younger audience members :) 

Photo taken by one of the younger audience members :)