BHAKTIMARGA SWAMI, born in Chatham, Ontario, Canada, is also known as THE WALKING MONK for having trekked FOUR TIMES across Canada. Keeping with the spirit of pilgrimage, he also crossed the USA, Israel, Ireland, Guyana, Trinidad, Mauritius, and the Fiji Islands. Documentation of his Canadian walks is found in two films: The Longest Road, by the National Film Board of Canada, and Walking: The Lessons of the Road, by Michael Oesch.
As a youth, Swami was a student of fine arts, but took to the life of a Hare Krishna monk at age 20 in 1973. Although pursuing monastic ways, he maintains artistic expression through several mediums.
As a playwright he produces and directs avant-garde productions based on themes from the Vedic epics of India. Wherever he travels, he engages talented local youth as the productions' actors, dancers, choreographers, and technical crews.
During the pandemic, live theatre wasn't an option, so Bhaktimarga Swami took to creating two short films – Grandsire and The Embassy. The Embassy garnered the Crown Wood and Chambal International Film Festival Awards, and was a quarter finalist in the Canada Shorts Canadian International Short Film Festival.
In 2022 Swami released his highly-anticipated first publication, The Saffron Path: Trekking the Globe with The Walking Monk, detailing his adventures and insights as an international marathon walker. Future publications are set in motion, including a collection of original poems.
The Walking Monk is also an instructor of bhakti yoga, a leader of musical mantra meditation called kirtan, and a speaker on the science of the self based on the ancient teachings of the Gita.
Betty and Bill are from Kitchener, Ontario. They have shared a life journey of 40 years together as engineers, travellers and yogis. As ShantiMaya, they have been leading kirtan (the practice of chanting mantra music from India) since 2014, and have trained with many artists and practitioners across North America during that time. ShantiMaya has led kirtan at over 100 yoga studios and festivals across Canada and the U.S.
They compose original melodies played on harmonium and classical guitar, and have produced three studio albums plus three additional singles covering a cross section of mantras from a diversity of sources from ancient India.
Their long years of partnership become evident the moment the music starts to flow!
Lea Longo, artist, musician, producer and expert in the field of meditation music, mantras, vocal chanting and Mindfulness Meditation. Her voice has appeared in many Hollywood Tv shows & movies and has been described as “Spiritually Rewarding”. Lea leads workshops, private meditation, life coaching online sessions with meditation and group "Chanting" sessions with live music.
Following a meeting with the Dalai Lama in India, this artist with a traveler's heart dedicates his music for the well-being and spiritual development of all. Steve has seven albums to his credit created by his emotions towards devotion.
Śraddhā discovered kirtan during a trip in Australia in 2007. Fascinated by the inner calm that these chanted mantras bring, and by the energizing effect on the entire group that participates in them, she decides to continue her spiritual quest by organizing kirtan evenings. Her unique voice and energy allows all those who participate in her kirtans to leave feeling peaceful and transformed.
Annapurna & MahaDeva (Mahapurna) are Yoga Acharyas and accomplished musicians who share
the practice of Bhakti Yoga (TheYoga of Loving Devotion) through Kirtan—singing the names of the
Divine. They are International Presenters, who disseminate the classical teachings of Yoga and
Vedanta.
Their vast knowledge and expertise in Yoga, Health Sciences, and Music helps individuals discover
true happiness and peace. Their studio album of sacred mantra and kirtan, was produced in
California by acclaimed Grammy-nominated Ben Leinbach, and they are regular presenters at
ashrams, retreat centres, yoga conferences, and festivals throughout Canada, United States, India
and beyond.
For nearly 15 years, the groupe Le Noble Chemin has been present on the kirtan scene in Quebec. Known as the "big band" of Kirtan because of its multiple musicians and singers, this ever-changing collective is driven by the recognition of the Divine as ONE, and that is why the songs that they feature are from various mystical and spiritual traditions from around the world.
The « Luna Sundari » duo is composed of multi-instrumentalist Marie-Josée Veilleux (alias Sundari) on guitar, sitar, flute and voice; and guitarist-stylist Richard Lupien on guitars and backing vocals. Long time artisan in the world of sacred chants and kirtans, Sundari has developed a true sense of sharing the energy of the mantras through appearances at many venues with various kirtan groups. Her delicate and soothing voice brings us into a contemplative and introspective state of receptiveness. As for Richard Lupien, with his vast experience as a composer-arranger, he has developed a unique playing style using open tunings on guitars that bring subtle and rich harmonies to their music.
Mandala Kirtan will take us on a journey to the heart of the sound of mantras; vibrational language in Sanskrit. Also called Bhakti Yoga, this practice is a festive celebration that emphasizes participation rather than performance. A chanting meditation that opens the heart and taps into the essence of our true nature.
Samyana was created in early 2024 by Stephanie Smith (Vocals, Guitar, Compositions) and Christian Weiss (Tabla) originally located in Vienna, Austria. Samyana is very excited to be collaborating in Quebec with local musicians: Amrit (Harmonium & Vocals), Bruno Sandres (Bass Guitar), and Alexandre Quessy (Clarinet). To sing with Samyana means going on a journey within, embracing all the colors of your voice without judgement, feeling and expressing your emotions in full surrender, authenticity and devotion.
In 2006, Marc began teaching yoga and meditation in Montreal. In 2012 he traveled to California to attend Bhakti Fest, a 4-day yoga/music festival. He came back with a new passion for sacred chant music and he was determined to record an album. In 2015 he released the Birth of Ganesh that showcases a classic rock sound with mantras. He has since released 2 more albums and continues to offer kirtans in the surrounding areas of the Laurentiens.
Bader discovered kirtan in 2016. A few years later, he started leading kirtan with Harmonium, and then went on to piano and guitar kirtans. Since 2019, Bader has been organizing monthly Kirtan Marathons, as well as weekly kirtans in the summer in Mascouche. In April 2022, Bader released his first kirtan album “Govinda’s Grace,” inspired by the many kirtan sessions with friends. He is now working on his second kirtan album “From Here to Eternity.” He also organizes an annual kirtan festival and a bi-annual Kirtan Yoga Retreat.
Līlā-Mayī graduated from music school at the age of 14 in piano. When she was around 19, she started getting interested in listening to mantras. Later, she met devotees and joined a kirtan group when we started doing kirtans at yoga studios, festivals, shows etc. to spread the power of the Holy Name. She is currently engaged in different kirtan projects with “Kirtan Toronto,” an initiative which focuses on introducing kirtan to the western audience. She is also involved in similar project in London (U.K.) and Vancouver.
Hearts calling is a unique blend of Kirtan and Medicine Music music mixed with spiritually inspired heart hop and poetry. Whether singing deep soulful melodies or danceable chants, Rishi(Fraser) and Dana’s Kirtans are grounding and meditative, as well as energizing and uplifting.
Their inner journey started many years ago, but it really came to fruition after traveling to India in 2006 and discovering the power of Kirtan, which came powerfully alive through the teaching and transmission of Srila Prabhupad. Soon they met their spiritual teacher, Mooji Baba, from whom Fraser received the name Rishi.
In addition to regular Kirtans, they host retreats and have shared their art and hearts across Canada, as well as in Europe and India. Hearts calling is their call out to the world to connect and communicate with love and presence, to inspire, uplift and share the joy of chanting and soul expression.
Sim has enjoyed sharing heartfelt music and kirtan around the world for 2 decades, and crafts songs that blend world, folk, and mainstream influences that are often based on musical inspirations downloaded from dreams.
Vedavyāsa travelled to India 11 times in his youth. He enjoys devotional chanting in the bhakti yoga tradition, and he will share his discoveries with us. His performance will include harmonium, mridanga, sitar, guitar, flute, and cymbals
Born in Vina Del Mar, Chile, Ekanātha had his first contact with the culture of Bhakti Yoga in 2004, and took initiation into the movement of Bhakti Yoga in 2006. He travels regularly to South America, North America, Europe, and Asia, to assist in different festivals and social and ecological reform projects, which are put on by other Bhakti Yogis of the Krishna Consciousness Movement. At present, Ekanath is a member of the table of directors of Premaloka Yoga Studio, in Montreal, where he teaches Kirtan, Hatha Yoga, and gives lectures on Bhagavad Gita, while he furthers his skills of harmonium and mridanga, learning from great players located in Vrindavan India.
