Sonic Bridges

I grew up in the small towns of Central New York. My father, now retired, was a Methodist Minister and my Mom, also retired (kicked the Habit…sorry!), was a Catholic Nun. But despite choosing particular religious paths they were very spiritually and culturally open and encouraged my broader pursuits.

In high school I started a morning radio show designed to both entertain the students and raise awareness and conversation around problems I saw in the school from racism to cutting arts funding. Also, the school dances is where I began Dj'ing.

When I left high school I did some traveling and service work in Central America and the Caribbean. I came back to the U.S. and received my Bachelors from Flagler College in Philosophy and a dual minor in Psychology/Religious Studies. It was at this time, during it's height in the US in the late 90's, that I became interested in Rave and electronic dance music.

I started Rising Stream Productions with friend and revolutionary poet and author, Jake Jacob, in 1999 and began throwing art centered club nights around central Florida.

In 2000 I moved to Oakland where I received my Masters Degree in Wisdom Traditions and the New Cosmology from Naropa Institute (Oakland Campus). I became Coordinator of the Techno Cosmic Mass as well as the Resident Dj.

I finished my Masters Thesis in 2004 entitled “Sonicbridges,” which was both a written and musical project suggesting ways that The Dj and electronic dance music could be a catalyst for changing our paradigms around the use and abuse of technology.

I then partnered with Dj, activist, and expressive dance instructor, Jonathan Relucio, in a project called FLOW (Friends Leading One-another to Wholeness). It was a Dj guided expressive arts and dance workshop focused on issues of personal and social justice that we brought to places like The University of Berkeley, Naropa Institute, and other community and religious organizations around the Bay Area.

Since moving to Oakland I have worked with and been influenced by many amazing visionaries, artists, and activists. I have lead workshops with Matthew Fox, Andrew Harvey, Chief Luisah Teish, and Russill Paul. I have worked alongside Alex Grey, Starhawk and Rafael Jesus Gonzalez. I have studied under Joanna Macy, Brian Swimme, and Rupert Sheldrake. And, in utilizing some of the wisdom I've learned through them, I have taught classes on the “History of Dj Culture” and “Postmodernism.”

I have been a Dj for almost 15 years and, although I haven't put much energy towards it until lately, I've been fortuante to play venues all over the country and open for some pretty big name bands and Dj's. Finally in the Fall of 2006 I finished my studio and became a full time electronic music Producer and Dj, dedicated as much to personal expression as to positive social and environmental change, or what I call “conscious sonic collage.”

Jonathan and I have also started another dance night in collaboration with Rising Hope a progressive spiritual/social justice non-profit based in Alameda, CA. It is called “Sonicbridges” and is an experiment in building community and consciousness around creative activism and supporting local nonprofits.

I’m currently finishing up some remix projects and other tracks and am looking for record labels that would be as interested in my music as my message. I’m also starting network projects to bring together artists, Dj’s, producers, businesses, etc. that can share the vision of creating “sonic bridges” to a better future for this planet and for the 7th Generation.

If you can help or are also interested in the positive transformations through electronic dance music let’s make a connection!

Namaste, (I greet the place where you and I are one.)
Astro