Debbie Elman and Shivadam (Adam Burke) have performed kirtan together for more than 13 years. Around 1998, they formed an independent kirtan group of their own in order to deepen their experience of kirtan and bhajan, as well as to explore more traditional Indian music.
Many participants joined Debbie and Shivadam over the years, and - in 2004 - they decided to host a monthly public kirtan offering. Now, other participants lead kirtans in our group, as well, such as Greg Davis.
Here is some more information and background on our principal kirtan leaders:
Debbie Elman
For as long as she can remember, Debbie’s life has always been filled with music. Growing up with a father who was a professional musician gave her many opportunities to enjoy a variety of rhythms and songs. She has also been fortunate to have many other gifted musicians in her life that she has sung and played with, who have taught her how profound and healing music can be.
As her interest in spiritual teachings began to awaken, she was introduced to a record of devotional music, which had some East Indian chants on it, called “Love, Serve, Remember” presented by Ram Dass. This was her first introduction to Indian chanting, and it awakened a deep desire in her to learn more. Later, on a couple of occasions, she sponsored Ram Dass to come to the Valley of the Sun, meeting Krishna Das and hearing kirtan performed live for the first time. Her spiritual studies then brought her to the feet of her Guru, Paramahansa Yogananda, who in his own right was a masterful musician and composer of devotional chants. It was then that she purchased her first harmonium, and helped form the original kirtan group at the Self Realization Fellowship Temple in Phoenix, in 1985. She has been leading kirtan meditation services there ever since. She has also sung at their special commemorative services, bhajan evenings, variety shows, as well as some yoga studios, spiritual centers and during an Aarti ceremony at Self Realization Fellowship’s India night. She has also composed a number of devotional songs and has performed them locally, as well as doing some back-up vocals on a friend’s CD. She has been interviewed about kirtan on the web/radio show, “Intuitive Living’, available on www.achieveradio.com, archived from June 20, 2005.
Her love of music has also been expressed through the medium of dance. She has been teaching Sacred Circle Dance since 1989, exploring the rich musical traditions and cultures of people from around the world, through sacred and joyful movement and song.
Shivadam
Playing the harmonium and singing, Shivadam regularly leads kirtans and bhajans for gatherings and special events in the Phoenix area. He also plays tabla, sitar, and other instruments with kirtan groups.
Shivadam has studied the classical music of India, including vocals, sitar, tabla, and tamboura, since 1989, beginning under Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and Pandit Jasraj, as well as tabla instructor, Daniel Hirtz, and most recently with the late American sarode master, Stephen James. Studying both Hindi and Sanskrit, Shivadam is able to converse in Hindi and to read and write both languages. He practices kirtan, bhajan, simple qawwali, zikhr, and Sanskrit recitation. Shivadam has travelled extensively and periodically resided in India, where he has participated in informal kirtans and been taught a number of bhajans by Indian musicians.
Over the course of two decades, Shivadam has performed devotional, sacred, and classical Indian music at temples, gompas, and performance halls in the US, India and Nepal. In 2001, in the role of "head musician" for a Peace Delegation Pilgrimage in North India and Nepal, he played tabla and harmonium with Tara Dhatu, and he continues to provide musical support for Tara Dhatu events in the US. He has had the privilege of leading the traditional Aarti, in Hindi, for ceremonies including at the SRF Phoenix Temple's India Night celebration, and he has also has performed at the SRF Encinitas center. More recently, Shivadam often leads bhajans for ISKCON Temple's celebrations. He has led bhajans for a Mahatma Gandhi commemoration and chanting for Oneness Movement Deeksha meetings. He has twice added percussion support to American kirtan-wala, Krishna Das, and he continues to provide tamboura accompaniment for many of India's best known classical music artists.
Shivadam has performed on various recordings, including Bill Barn's sitar CD: Chants of Paramahansa Yogananda. He is currently working on new arrangements of traditional kirtans and bhajans. His bellydance CD, Desert Nights by Desert Knights, was deemed "Winner of the 1998 International Academy of Middle-Eastern Dance Award for Best Music." He has also played percussion and other instruments for the Dances of Universal Peace network for more than 10 years, and he has recently begun to lead Dances. In depth...
Greg Davis
Music was always an important part of Greg’s life. His early professional interest was centered around song-writing and performing on the guitar and keyboards at local venues. However he was not satisfied performing rock music standards. During those early days, Greg composed close to 50 songs. A growing interest in Eastern spirituality led him to withdraw from the club scene and focus on spiritually oriented music.
Greg’s interest in Eastern music dates back over 30 years. He discovered the sacred music of India through the writings of his guru, Paramahansa Yogananda and the numerous Cosmic Chants he composed. He took up the harmonium and chanting as an aid in his personal meditations. For many years he practiced, developing a deep love for the art form. He could feel the spiritually transformative power of these chants and wanted to share his newfound joy with others. Greg’s interest later expanded to kirtan and bhajan, after attending a number of kirtan events. He became a kirtan meditation leader at the Self-Realization Fellowship Phoenix Temple. Along with other members, he continues to enjoy serving SRF devotees through chanting and leading meditations. He has had the privilege of leading various special services including the Aarti ceremony for the SRF Phoenix Temple's India Night celebration. He was interviewed about kirtan on the web/radio show, “Intuitive Living,” available on www.intuitive-living.org, archived from June 20, 2005.
A few years ago Greg broadened his horizons by incorporating traditional kirtans of India. He joined the kirtan ensemble “Prema Rupa.” He now performs regularly with Prema Rupa at various venues, including a regular Deeksha event, and special events in honor of the timeless spirituality of India.
