Biography-

Art, music and the exploration of consciousness are the foundations of my being. Each connects to the other in a most intimate and supportive manner, weaving a tapestry of sound, color and spirit throughout my life.

Through my childhood my parents lived by their art and encouraged my continual creative development. I received a BA in Studio art and have followed my life-long love for art into a career as painter and graphic designer. The hidden and mystical qualities of the natural world are my inspiration, and watercolors my media of choice. From solo and group gallery expositions I traversed into the digital realm of graphic design and the web. Over the past 5 years I have created most of the promotional material, web presence and visual art design behind the band Kan’Nal.

My career as a musician emerged from and blended with a career as an artist. From voice, piano, recorder in my early years I have moved through clarinet, saxophone, guitar, drum set, didgeridoo and African drums. Exploring each instrument, its unique voice and potential for expression and participation with others has led me to a deep love and connection to music and musicians. Over the past 5 years I have been intensely involved as a musician and member of a band called Kan’Nal. To be a successful musician has required many sacrifices but has offered rewards and learning in ways I never would have imagined. I have been challenged to advance in my technical ability as a player, learn group dynamics, business, and health. The rewards of living and traveling within a tribe/family/ group of friends and sharing of our musical vision with the world are immeasurable.

The final connecting thread is the exploration of consciousness itself. Again, seeds planted early in life continue to grow and expand. I learned beginning meditation at the age of 7 and though in adolescence I shied away from “spirituality”, always a sense of the vast potential of consciousness drew me to explore myself. My parents are both spiritual seekers and through their experience I discovered and learned many amazing tools including: active listening, re-evaluation counseling, the work of Byron Katie, speaking skills, meditation, and nutrition. My own interests drew me to Japan to study the culture, religion, and arts including sumi-e. I studied astrology, tarot, and archetypal meditation in L.A. at the Inner Guide Meditation Center, and practiced with the Mountain Institute school of Kriya Yoga for 6 years. Over the past year I have been drawn to Satsang, and the non-dual teachings of Advaita. I find the evolution of consciousness is a mystery beyond understanding, but I am in love with the attempt to understand.

My story would not be complete without talking about Dreamtime. The vision of the Dreamtime Project is to create a multi-genre cultural event/festival and eco-village, which integrates the arts, music and learning with a focus on transformation and sustainable living. 2006 was our 5th and most successful year yet with over 1300 participants, 30 musical acts, 100 workshops and numerous Theme Camp Village. My main role has been Performance Coordinator and Stage Manager. It is a blessing and joy to share knowledge, celebrate, and participate in a new paradigm for living and cooperating with each other and the earth.

Most recently I participated a Tantrik Death and Dying workshop at the the Trika Institute in Berkely, CA, and have also just finished a foundational training with the Matrix Leadership Institute in Boulder, Co. The Matrix training opened me to the enormous potential that is present in groups of people. A group, like an individual has its own consciousness which, with focused intent, can be evolved toward its highest potential.

… and the story continues… as I take a break from constant touring with the band, on Dec 5th 2006 I will travel to India, first for a meditation retreat and then…???

... (8 months later)

After 5 incredible months in Rishikesh, most of which was spent working with children at Ramana's Garden Home for destitute children, I returned to the U.S. and helped put on the Dreamtime Festival. I am continuing to work on web-design while I prepair for another trip to the East.

- Aaron Jerad