SiriOm Singh SiriOm Singh SiriOm Singh SiriOm Singh devotional musiciandevotional musiciandevotional musiciandevotional musician

One SpiritOne SpiritOne SpiritOne Spirit

52 Abernethy Dr.52 Abernethy Dr.52 Abernethy Dr.52 Abernethy Dr.

Trenton, NJ 08616Trenton, NJ 08616Trenton, NJ 08616Trenton, NJ 08616

609 989 1594609 989 1594609 989 1594609 989 1594

www.siriomsingh.comwww.siriomsingh.comwww.siriomsingh.comwww.siriomsingh.com

info@siriomsingh.cominfo@siriomsingh.cominfo@siriomsingh.cominfo@siriomsingh.com

At ransabai―all night live kirtan,

summer solstice sadhana, Espanola

NM, 2010

GENERALGENERALGENERALGENERAL

SiriOm Singh is a spiritual teacher and Kundalini Yoga

instructor, singer/ songwriter and percussionist, teaching and

performing in The USA and internationally.

SiriOm’s devotional world music combines mantras from many

traditions with church hymns, spirituals, sacred texts and his

own lyrics with music that is inspired by Jazz, Gospel, Reggae

and Folk. It reflects his deep respect for all spiritual and religious

practices, and honors them all as different paths to celebrate

peace, the glory of God, and the human spirit.

BIOBIOBIOBIO

SiriOm Singh was born in New York, and raised in Philadelphia.

He grew up in a musical family, and from early childhood

listened to a large variety of music, from classical to soul and

from church hymns to folk. His earliest musical favorites

included Miles Davis, Aretha Franklin and Mahalia Jackson.

At age 10 he joined Germantown’s St. Luke Episcopal church

choir. He describes this period in his life as the foundation for

his musical ability. The choir practice provided him with a

sound musical foundation and honed his voice. It also ingrained

in his mind the connection between music and spirituality, and

the use of music as a spiritual practice.

Jazz was part of SiriOm’s musical growing up experience as

well. Growing up in the African American community of

Philadelphia, SiriOm heard jazz played at home, at social events

at church and private gatherings. His brother, Jazz trumpet

player Fred Adams, has been playing with Sun Ra Arkestra since

1981 “ Sun Ra’s personal style and the unique sound of this

At PSALM salon in Philadelphia, PA 2009

At the Coalition for Peace Action

conference, Princeton, NJ 2008

ensemble has been a great inspiration to me”, says SiriOm. He

was also greatly influenced by the spiritual content and social

commentary in the music of John Coltrane and Duke Ellington.

When SiriOm left Philadelphia to attend Saint Augustine College

in Raleigh North Carolina it was only natural for him to

participate in Saint Augustine’s College choir, singing gospel,

soul and R&B. SiriOm describes this experience as playing in a

vocal orchestra. The formal training provided the opportunity to

develop his extraordinary vocal range, from base baritone to

first tenor, and to grow his vocal skills. At this time he also

developed his love for negro spirituals and gospel.

At this period of his life SiriOm began devoting more of his

attention to his other passion – track and field. Becoming a

world class athlete for Saint Augustine college and the US

military team diverted his attention away from music, as well as

from his spiritual background. He went on to become a teacher

and health professional, living in Texas and Florida, and in 1994

moved to New Jersey.

In 1996, a serendipitous event opened the door to his return to

music - he won the door prize at a health fair - a hand drum.

“This was my first drum, and it chose me” says SiriOm “since

then, every drum I own is a drum that chose me”. Drumming

brought back memories of playing percussions with his father as

a child. Though never formally trained as a percussionist,

SiriOm quickly developed mastery in the use of percussion

instruments.

In 1997 SiriOm discovered kundalini yoga. The combination of

physical activity with music – kundalini yoga combines move-

ment, breath, meditation and sound – and with spiritual

meaning, spoke to his heart. As he immersed himself in the yogic

life style he found himself returning to his spiritual roots, and

the longing for musical self expression. He took on the spiritual

name given to him by Yogi Bhajan, the spiritual leader of Sikh

With Fred Johnson at a benefit for

refugee children , Suxzanne Dallal

Center for Performing Arts,

Tel Aviv Israel, 2008

Dharma, and realized that his contribution to the world is in the

form of music that provides the listener with an experience of

happiness and love. SiriOm started with chanting mantras as

part of his yoga practice, but this quickly evolved into

composing his own music, drawing on the various musical

influences in his background. Visiting Sikh temples opened up

the world of classical Indian music. To further the development

of his voice and style he studied with Russill Paul at the Yogic

Myserty School and with voice professor Paramjeet Singh.

Yogic thinking sees all living things as one. In his travels in the

US and in the middle -east, where he has been teaching yoga

and performing in collaboration with interfaith peace

organizations since 2001, SiriOm became intensely aware of the

reality of this concept. “The similarity among people is much

greater than the differences. All people are looking for the same

things in their life: peace, happiness, connection with each other

and with the divine” says SiriOm. Out of this understanding

SiriOm started combining mantras from many traditions and

sacred texts in his music, as a reflection of his deep respect to all

spiritual and religious practices. This realization also moved him

to start writing original lyrics that reflect his commitment to

peace and social justice. An excellent example is his song Om

Shanti (from Travel The Light, 2006) which combines the Hindu

mantra Om Shanti – supreme peace – with the Negro spiritual

Down By The River Side. to the connection between one and the

Another example is Sa Se So Hung (from Guru Dev, 2009)

With Snatam Kaur, GuruGanesha Singh, Deva Premal, Miten and Manish

Vias at Ecstatic Chant, Omega institute, NY 2009

At the Philadelphia Cathedral, 2009

With Eliyahu MacLean of the Jerusalem

Peacemakers at the Jerusalem Hug,

Jerusalem, Israel, 2007

Accompanied by GuruSangat Singh at

Baba Siri Chand ashram in Millis, MA

2007

which combines original lyrics speaking world with the Sikh

mantra sa se so hung, which means we are all one. In his

peace-work SiriOm collaborated with organizations such as the

Jerusalem Peacemakers and the All Nations Café in Israel and

Palestine, with the Coalition for Peace Action and the Fellowship

in Prayer in NJ.

SiriOm found a home for his music in the Sikh dharma and the

kundalini yoga community, which is well known for its variety

of excellent devotional musical talent. He played with

GuruGanesha Singh, Snatam Kaur, Sat Kirin Kaur, Mata Madir

Singh, Livtar Singh, GuruDas Singh and GuruDas Kaur at the

yearly Solstice Sadhana celebrations and other events. In 2005

he formed his own band, Anahat, which included Theo Thwing,

Autin Wright and Gene Tunney. Together they performed in

various locations, from yoga centers and churches to coffee

houses and bars. “Devotional music is not just for spiritual

settings” says SiriOm, “it is our responsibility to bring it out to

the world and share. As a musician, this is my service and

contribution to humanity.”

SiriOm collaborated with musicians out of the Sikh community

as well – singer/ songwriter and kirtan artist Robin Renée, tabla

player and vocalist Dan Johnson, the Darla Rich Jazz quintet,

Philadelphia jazz musician Fred Adams, Sound Sculpterer Fred

Johnson, Israeli sax player Arik Levi, multi– instrumentalist Gili

Liber and master percussionist Jonathan Bar- Rashi. He per-

formed in many locations in the USA, in Israel and in Palestine.

SiriOm has also extended his musical talent to theater. He

performed with the NYC Overground Physical Theatre Company

in their dance theatre show Urban Tao, and regularly performs

with the TE’A Project in their show Under the Veil.

At World Café Live, Philadelphia, PA,

2008

WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT SIRIOM’S MUSICWHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT SIRIOM’S MUSICWHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT SIRIOM’S MUSICWHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT SIRIOM’S MUSIC

SiriOm’s music is absolutely filled with joy… His dedication to

his spiritual growth can also be felt deeply in the incredible

lyrics that he shares with us. Snatam Kaur, Snatam Kaur, Snatam Kaur, Snatam Kaur, devotional musician

SiriOm had a magnificent, rich voice, that penetrates the heart.

His strong stage presence creates a truly participatory chant

experience. GuruGanesha SinghGuruGanesha SinghGuruGanesha SinghGuruGanesha Singh, devotional musician

SiriOm Singh(‘s) … music is a beautifully unique mélange that is

informed by many influences, and does credit to them all. Suffice

it to say, all hearts present were opened wide by the richly sono-

rous voice of SiriOm… with an insistent back beat and capable

guitar accompaniment. Jamey ReillyJamey ReillyJamey ReillyJamey Reilly, The Philadelphia Society

for Art, Literature & Music

The music is soft, gentle and gorgeously rendered. The voices

and music weave throughout each other, so the effect is that we

feel blended in divine love. SiriOm Singh has a beautiful voice ...

When I listen to his CDs, I sing right along. Gary Goldberg Gary Goldberg Gary Goldberg Gary Goldberg Radio

Host and Producer “In the Spirit” WRPI-91.5fm, Troy NY

My friends and I enjoy SiriOm’s music… It definitely spreads

light… and it feels light and uplifting. We like to dance with it!

Very inspirational and motivational music! Polina Sannino, Polina Sannino, Polina Sannino, Polina Sannino,

Universum Musica

Om Shanti (is) a wonderful blend of the Hindu mantra and By

The Riverside. They work perfectly together… and the effect is

very natural and unforced. The song is working as a meditative

prayer…(SiriOm has)a wonderful vocal sound and the delivery

is very assured – great pitch Taxi, independent A&R magazineTaxi, independent A&R magazineTaxi, independent A&R magazineTaxi, independent A&R magazine

SiriOm … is without doubt a fantastic singer Manish Vyas,Manish Vyas,Manish Vyas,Manish Vyas,

devotional musician

With the women choir of the Jewish―

Arab culture center, Jaffa, Israel, 2008

Deeply beautiful, awesome, outstanding, rich, soulful, heartfelt,

inspiring, original, authentic, full of character, great! Akal Sahai Akal Sahai Akal Sahai Akal Sahai

SinghSinghSinghSingh president, Spirit Voyage Live Events

I was listening to your CD 'Travel the Light' … and was filled

with love and joy. Thanks for creating this gem. Krishan KhalsaKrishan KhalsaKrishan KhalsaKrishan Khalsa,

music producer, Open Mind Creations

Your musical message of love and inspiration has touched us all,

and we know that the music and consciousness that you share

enriched the entire planet Rev. Dr Carol LawsonRev. Dr Carol LawsonRev. Dr Carol LawsonRev. Dr Carol Lawson, Center For

Conscious Living Moorestown, NJ

I enjoyed your set so very much that it's one of those

unforgettable music experiences. Harold Jacobs,Harold Jacobs,Harold Jacobs,Harold Jacobs, organizer,

Zichrona Folk Festival, Israel

We were moved by the great heart coming through in SiriOm's

chanting. Devotion and energy come together on this magical

CD (Guru Dev). Ned LeavittNed LeavittNed LeavittNed Leavitt, devotional musician

SiriOm … took us on a trip to the magical chants of India, and

then on an inward trip to the wonderful rhythms of our body.

Dhyan OrDhyan OrDhyan OrDhyan Or, All Nations Café, Jerusalem, Israel

SiriOm Singh's songs dissipate into pure love in my mind. A

soulful, soothing voice ever reminding me of who I truly am.

Ryan LeslieRyan LeslieRyan LeslieRyan Leslie, Newtown, PA

We love your beautiful spirit and how it shines through your

music. Lynn Margileth, Lynn Margileth, Lynn Margileth, Lynn Margileth, NYC

The music penetrated me and uplifted me. It is inspirational in a

way which is deeper than many others I have encountered....

You rock! David StoneDavid StoneDavid StoneDavid Stone, Princeton, NJ

Upon playing … (Om Mani Padme Hum) I was totally elevated

to a place of exultation. E.N.G PaygE.N.G PaygE.N.G PaygE.N.G Payg–––– Williams Williams Williams Williams Lancashire,

England

Accompanied by Yonatan Bar- Rashi,

Raga music club, Pardes Chana, Israel,

2010

At Sulam Yaakov Folk Festival, Israel,

2008

At a gathering of interfaith peace

activists, Jerusalem, Israel, 2007

SELECT PERFORMANCE HSTORYSELECT PERFORMANCE HSTORYSELECT PERFORMANCE HSTORYSELECT PERFORMANCE HSTORY

Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, Lennox MA

Philadelphia Cathedral, Philadelphia, PA

Integral Yoga Institute of New York, NYC, NY

Cream of Phila, World Café Live, Philadelphia, PA

PSALM Salon, Philadelphia, PA

The Record Collector, Bordentown, NJ

Café Improv, Paul Robeson Art Center, Princeton, NJ

Integral Yoga Institute of Princeton, Princeton, NJ

Princeton Center for Yoga and Health, Princeton, NJ

Baba Siri Chand Yoga Center, Millis, MA

Center for Conscious Living, Moorsetown, NJ

Coalition for Peace Action conference, Princeton NJ

Da Vinci Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA

Ellarslie, the Trenton City Museum Music Series, Trenton, NJ

St. Paul Episcopal church, Levitown, PA

The Meditation Institute, Yardley, PA

Four Wings Yoga Center, Pennington, NJ

Winter Solstice Sadhana, Lake Wales, FL

Summer Solstice Sadhana, Espanola, NM

Suzanne Dallal Center for Performing Arts, Tel Aviv, Israel

Raga music club, Pardes Hana, Israel

Jacob’s Ladder Folk Festival, Kibbutz Geinossar, Israel

Featured musician at Zichrona Folk Festival, Zichron Yaakov,

Israel,

All Nations Café, Ein Haniya, Palestine

Light Of Jerusalem festival, Jerusalem, Israel 2004

Festival Beresheet, Sea of Galillee, Israel

Festival Sagol, several locations, Israel

PRESSPRESSPRESSPRESS

Essence Of Life online magazine, June 2007

Travel the Light with SiriOm Singh

By Nicola ManassehBy Nicola ManassehBy Nicola ManassehBy Nicola Manasseh

One of the first things that spiritual teacher and Kundalini Yoga instructor, SiriOm Singh, asked

us to do in a workshop, was to clap for ourselves. With a wry smile, he said that our clap for

ourselves was ‘tentative.' Then, the thirty of us, clapped for each other. Such a simple act pro-

duced feelings of joy, happiness and unity.

SiriOm explained that the essence of the workshop, called Yoga of Drumming, was to enhance SiriOm explained that the essence of the workshop, called Yoga of Drumming, was to enhance SiriOm explained that the essence of the workshop, called Yoga of Drumming, was to enhance SiriOm explained that the essence of the workshop, called Yoga of Drumming, was to enhance

communication with ourselves and each other and to open to the creative process. communication with ourselves and each other and to open to the creative process. communication with ourselves and each other and to open to the creative process. communication with ourselves and each other and to open to the creative process.

Though his methods were many - clapping, repeating mantras, drumming on our bodies, sing-

ing to his drumming, breathing - each time our aim was to balance the right and left sides of

our brains and find our individual and group rhythmns.

By tapping into the sound current of our hearts he assured us that we could create a holy sound of love, beauty and peace. Ong

Namo Guru Dev Namo was the first mantra that we repeated together. We were opening our heart chakras to "uplift ourselves

beyond the human experience."

For many, the experience of the workshop, was joyful but also embarrassing. There we were clapping on our thighs and knees to

remove toxins and stored pain from the body. There we were making strange childish faces as we pronounced simple sounds like

"aah."

Once we got past the embarrassment we found feelings of being grounded, alive, authentic, uninhibited. In facing each other, Once we got past the embarrassment we found feelings of being grounded, alive, authentic, uninhibited. In facing each other, Once we got past the embarrassment we found feelings of being grounded, alive, authentic, uninhibited. In facing each other, Once we got past the embarrassment we found feelings of being grounded, alive, authentic, uninhibited. In facing each other, in in in in

pairs, we reached a place of intimacy where masks could drop and many people in the workshop felt a natural urge to tell eachpairs, we reached a place of intimacy where masks could drop and many people in the workshop felt a natural urge to tell eachpairs, we reached a place of intimacy where masks could drop and many people in the workshop felt a natural urge to tell eachpairs, we reached a place of intimacy where masks could drop and many people in the workshop felt a natural urge to tell each

other "I love you." other "I love you." other "I love you." other "I love you."

Teaching yoga since 1999 in the USA and internationally, SiriOm, seems to be on a mission to help people know their true

selves. "So often in life we are given mirrors - in the beginning they come as our parents, telling us how we should be. But our

parents are just a springboard, as adults we need to evolve into our own selves, " says SiriOm.

Though SiriOm knows it takes courage to be who we really are, sound is what he believes can help us to know ourselves. "We all

have our own vibration. Our task is to learn how to listen to that vibration." Even a simple hum, which vibrates vital structures in

Photo by Zeev Nitzan Ginsburgh

Once we connect to our authentic self, which SiriOm says, lives just below the navel,

we automatically connect to our curious, playful, uninhibited 'child within.'

Discovering the child within his adult body, was the key spiritual defining moment

for SiriOm, "to surrender myself...to let love come in and love go out."

And it was like children that we clapped, sang and revealed how we were feeling in

the workshop. At one point, drowned in the sound of thirty people chanting, I really

let go - 'aahing' and 'eehing' with all my vocal power.

And how did I feel? Totally connected to the moment, without a mindfull of thoughts

and intimately connected to my partner in the group and the group itself.

Feeling the support of others is important to SiriOm's work and it is exemplified in Feeling the support of others is important to SiriOm's work and it is exemplified in Feeling the support of others is important to SiriOm's work and it is exemplified in Feeling the support of others is important to SiriOm's work and it is exemplified in

the kirtan evenings that he leads. the kirtan evenings that he leads. the kirtan evenings that he leads. the kirtan evenings that he leads.

Kirtan, traditionally used in India, is the art of devotional chanting. The leader

chants a phrase and the audience repeats it. It is a meditation with music and the

mantras used elevate, even transform the singers. At our workshop we chanted Sat

Nam (which means Truth is in Your Name) to increase self esteem and we sang

these words from Yogi Bhajan:

Travel the light

Spread the light

Be the light

Live light.

Any mantra, chant or prayer is a way to communicate with God, the Beloved, so says SiriOm. His favourite mantra is Wahe Guru

Wahe Jio which means 'Great beyond description are the blessings of his name.'

After the workshop, I asked SiriOm if he could have one wish what would it be and this is what he said; "For there to be peace on

earth in every crook and cranny - in every rock, tree, flower, man, woman, child and beast. That each one of us may be beings of

light, hugging heart to heart."

For more information about SiriOm's workshops and devotional events, visit http://www.bhaktihouse.org/ or email him or his wife,

Ayala Shimelman, at onespiritliving@earthlink.net

Travel The LightTravel The LightTravel The LightTravel The Light is SiriOm's inspiring new CD of heartfelt mantras which I recommend.

Essence Of Life online magazine, June 2007 http://www.eolife.org/article.php?aid=c7b17482dcf13a9a6b5701746357b131

Photo By Zeev Nitzan Ginsburgh

Song list: Song list: Song list: Song list:

Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo

Glory Hallelujah

Om Shanti

Travel The Light

Om Mani Padme Hum

Wahe Guru Wahe Jio

I am the light of my soul

We got work to do

Song list:Song list:Song list:Song list:

The Heart Song

Ek ong Kar

Aad Gurai Nameh

Sa Se So Hung

Say God

Guru Dev

Great Beyond Description

Ra Ma Da Sa

Anahat Groove

DISOGRAPHYDISOGRAPHYDISOGRAPHYDISOGRAPHY

Travel The Light 2006Travel The Light 2006Travel The Light 2006Travel The Light 2006

Guru Dev 2009Guru Dev 2009Guru Dev 2009Guru Dev 2009