Allison's long-time interest in the spiritual philosophies that underpin the physical and mental exercises associated with yoga has served her well in grasping how sound/ tone can be a spiritual tool.

Build community and harness the subtle allure of Indian music principles

An immersive 5-week training for those who want to lead Kirtan or amplify their established Kirtan practice. Includes private sessions, live classes, and pre recorded material

April 16 - May 21

Allison has been leading kirtan since 2006 and has a background in vocal performance. She wants to inspire trust in your authentic voice so that you feel confident to lead chanting circles in your community. You’ll compassionately be guided along the journey from loving kirtan to leading kirtan, and everything in between. It will prepare you in an individual way to meet your personal chanting goals.

You’ll enjoy lifetime access to the Music Library and can take the next several years to go through the 80+ video tutorials that teach you to play Allison’s original chants and favorite traditional ones as well. You’ll learn to play several chants in the upcoming live classes, and Allison will share her experiences and wisdom in transitioning from a home chanting practice to leading groups.

Kirtan doesn’t necessarily need to align with classical Indian music, but this course can help you explore this unique approach as a Westerner. Knowing some basic principles of Indian Music can be inspiring for writing your own kirtan tunes. Allison will guide you towards incorporating the basic principles of Indian music and encourage you to pull from your own traditions, lineages, and ancestry for songs as well. She is grateful to her mentor and Nada Yoga guru of 13 years, K. Sridhar, for molding her kirtan practice, Dr. Robert Svoboda for sharing a love of culture, music, and singing in community, and Prem Sadasivananda for introducing her to Kirtan and planting the seeds of devotion.

Early Bird Special: $1500 

An Ocean of Sound students: $750 

Regular Cost: $1800

What the Course Offers:

Homework is given individually based on where you are in your practice, how much time you have to dedicate to practice, and what your intention is. Private sessions will address your personal goals and the practices necessary to help you get there.

This course offers instruction on:

• Harmonium 
  • Scales
  • Exercises
  • One on One checked homework
  • Reading and writing the musical notation in the Music Library
  • Cultural etiquette and instrumental well being
• Voice
  • Sapta svara + the chromatic scale + knowing what scale you’re singing in
  • Finding your “Sa”, or the key your voice is naturally suited for
  • Scales and exercises
  • Creative expression and opening your voice
• Rhythm 
  • Counting beats other than 4 and 8, including tala of 5, 6, and 7
  • How to use the iTabla Pro app (looks like there is an Android version now)
• The Subtle Body and Vibration
  • Nadi’s
  • Cakras
  • Pranayama & Sound
• Sanskrit Pronunciation Instruction
  • The alphabet 
  • Reading transliteration
  • One on one homework where Allison checks your pronunciation and sends notes and corrections
• Reading the Musical Notation in the Music Library
• Classical Indian Music
  • Appreciation
  • How to listen for sruti’s, the microtones
  • Who to listen to
  • How to incorporate the principles into your kirtan

What This Course Includes:

• 3 private sessions with Allison - to be scheduled after registration - 50 minutes each

• Checked Homework thru audio/video memos on WhatsApp 
  • Sanskrit pronunciation 
  • Harmonium scales 

• 18 hours of Classes on Zoom with lifetime access to video archived recordings

• Kirtan Music Library: Lifetime access to the digital Kirtan Music Library with over 80 video tutorials and 50 instructional charts: you can chew on this material for many years to come as you build your repertoire of chants

• Heart of Yoga School Chant Book: a fully transliterated chant book with over a hundred mantras and kirtan chants.

• Sanskrit Pronunciation Audio Series 

• Pre-recorded Satsangs with Allison’s Teachers:
  • Dr. Robert Svoboda on the topic of Indian music
  • Prem Sadasivananda on the topic of Sanskrit
  • K. Sridhar on the topic of Indian music and Bhakti Yoga

How do I buy a harmonium for the course?

Please email my friends in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India at: info@saptaswara.in and mention that you are taking a course with K. Sridhar’s American student Allison. Ask Saptaswara Musicals about their money back guarantee if the instrument arrives damaged.

I suggest a double reed harmonium without a coupler. At least seven stops, more is fine. You don’t need anything fancy. With shipping it should cost $400-ish.

How does Rivers of Sound compare to Allison’s course An Ocean of Sound?

In An Ocean of Sound Allison offered a deep and thorough introduction to kirtan music. The course includes ten 90-minute classes and ten 60-minute kirtan sessions, many of which are organized so you can play along with Allison at home on your own harmonium.

Rivers of Sound will repeat some of what An Ocean of Sound includes, enough to welcome those new to kirtan. However, grads of An Ocean of Sound who want to lead kirtan are encouraged to join and will receive a significant discount. 

Rivers of Sound will directly address how to lead kirtan, both in-person and online. For example, you’ll learn how to optimize audio so it doesn’t sound distorted over streaming. We’ll go through the basics of developing a home harmonium and chanting practice and if there’s interest, Allison will offer further exploration into the different aspects of kirtan music in future levels of Rivers of Sound; ostensibly becoming a multi-leveled kirtan course instructing rhythm, melody, scales, sanskrit pronunciation, confidence building, community building, writing your own melodies, etc, all of which will be introduced in this initial course.

Since Rivers of Sound includes private session time structured into the course, and checked homework through audio and video messages, your own personal musical journey can be cultivated as we move through the material in community. You’ll enjoy having lifetime access to the materials; a lot will be offered, and this way you can always go back and review. Even your private sessions can be archived for future review.