Serpentine Arborvitae
Where does my name come from?
In ancient times the Serpent was revered as a symbol of transformation and regeneration.
Arborvitae is Latin for “ tree of life ”.
I sing to invoke the mysterious grace by which all things thrive. Music is science and art and medicine.
Starting in infancy my exposure to the recordings my parents loved and continuously listened to layed the foundation. Gypsy and Russian folk music, Italian opera, Belly-dance music, Hebrew and Latin folk songs, Broadway Shows and Ballet scores. I played the drums in junior high and took piano lessons. Yet I daydreamed music more than practiced it, sang along with everything I heard and imitated all the singers I loved. Although I grew up physically in Brooklyn, I grew up musically in the jazz clubs of New York City where experimental music thrives. In 1979 I was introduced to the god-father of free jazz, saxophonist Ornette Coleman. Ornette became my mentor. He produced and arranged all the songs we collaborated writing for my concert debut at The Public Theater in 1980. It was a profound experience working with him. It expanded and opened my heart and mind not only in music but in all my perceptions of life. Afterwards my evolution took a deep turn inward, to discover my own musical identity beyond jazz and the mainstream pop/dance music of the day. I looked to language itself, pulling apart all shape of syllable and syntax.
I gave myself my name and I gave my voice over to a feminine vortex of galactic proportion.
In 1993 I released a solo recording “ The First Coil “ . Its success launched me into the goddess music scene. The follow-up in 1995 "Rock the Goddess" attracted producers for Lifetime Television. I was commissioned to compose the soundtrack for the Intimate Portrait Series documentary narrated by Anjelica Huston. The historical and psychological aspects of women's oppression remained a dominant theme on my next release in 1996 " Darker Than Black ". To learn more about my ancestral music and roots I re-located to Israel where I met and worked with wonderful musicians from all over the world.
" Temple of the Heart " was recorded in Tel Aviv from 1997-1999 and released upon my return to the US in 2000
In 2005 I was living in South Florida when introduced to the spiritual teachings of author Dr. Ernest Holmes. I felt compelled to compose songs to express his illuminating philosophy and visionary writings and did so on my 2006 CD release “ DREAM WITH ME ".
Around this time I also had been developing a project based upon Sanskrit mantra. The healing power and beauty of devotional chanting is offered on my most recent release "MANTRA AMERICA" .
The practice of yoga has been a major clarifying force for most of my life. I believe yoga has prepared me for more things in life than I am aware of.
To be continued...
Check back again soon for more!