Guidance to those on the Path towards Sound Immersion: World class trainings, instruments and beyond!

Over the last 6 years of walking this path, I have been asked numerous, numerous times for referrals on trainings, where to get instruments, what kind of instruments to get, etc.  Finally I am writing a blog about it because there is no room for gatekeeping and those that are walking this path with genuine connection and love deserve to have access to these resources!!

Beginning with local trainings:

There are 5 stand-out training providers I have consistently and routinely come across over the last few years.

The top of the top is 9ways Academia headed by Mitch Nur.  He is currently based out of Lewes, Delaware but comes to Lancaster and Bucks county for various trainings including Gong Camp, North America’s oldest Gong camp.  Mitch is a devoted, leading expert in the field, having 5+ decades of immersive experience (well before this was widely known), a PhD in ethnomusicology, associating with only the top researchers and educators in the field, such as Mike Tamburo and Thomas Orr Anderson.

You can find his trainings at the 9ways Academia website listed here.

Mike Tamburo is your guy for all things gong.  Mike has devoted his entire life to the Gong.  If you have an opportunity to experience one of his concerts, do!  If you have an opportunity to immerse in his gong technique trainings, doubly do!  I am looking forward to attending one of his immersive trainings out of his home in Pittsburgh this weekend.  Mike travels the world offering his education and beautiful, raw music.

Click here for all things Mike Tamburo

Kirk Jones is deeply connected to healing the planet with angel frequencies and light through the form of sound.  He hosts incredible journeys with gong and singing bowls.  He also facilitates trainings of crystal singing bowls, tuning forks and gong in Pennsylvania, Vermont (where he is based), and New Jersey as well as others I’m sure!

Here is a link to connect with Kirk

Soundwise Health in Lancaster is led by Lana Ryder, who’s also devoted herself to sound and therapeutic arts for over 5 decades.  With Monica Mullen and Ken Ebert, she routinely runs sound trainings.  Soundwise also hosts world-class education from sound trainers such as Michael Bettine and Mitch Nur.

For more information on Soundwise health, click here.

YogaBro in Bucks county.  Corey has also devoted himself to various sound trainings and has an incredible connection with the gong!  He also provides master reiki level trainings, fascial work and sound trainings around the Bucks County area, particularly at Shanteel Yoga Sanctuary.

For more info on Corey of YogaBro, click here

Incredible online resource and in-person in the Midwest and around the world is Michael Bettine of Gongtopia! Check out his richly-resourced YouTube channel and guide here.

Instrument Providers

There is one sound tool company I have routinely supported time and time again for my flow and Koshi chimes, free notes wave, tuning forks and more.  Reliably excellent service, quality, communication and delivery.  That is Brooklyn Healing Arts.  Check out Jarrod’s recently opened store in central Vermont (I eagerly await going there!) or view it from your device!  His website is top notch.

Check out Brooklyn Healing Arts here

If you are in the market for a Gong, look no further than Steve Weiss Music, second to none.  They have the first pick of gongs being shipped to our country and are based out of none-other-than Willow Grove, PA!

Check out their incredible selection here.

Instruments

I have accrued a whole slew of delightfully resonant friends over the years.  It is hard to list all of them, so if you have a specific question, please list in your comments!

Some of my favorite go-tos are (besides the gong, because that deserves its own blog, and singing bowls, for similar reasons):

Meinl Ocean Drum with incredible sound that is a powerful space-filler.  Every soundbath someone asks what the ocean, vacuum, storm sound was.  It also tends to evoke the most amount of emotion

Shruti box very much connects with people, I have often wondered if it’s due to the similarity to our lungs and vocal system.  Shruti means “what they heard” in Sanskrit.  A powerful, droning instrument

Freenotes Wave this magical, musical-fifth instrument is wonderful for big spaces and large groups.  You can still provide that close vibrational experience by holding close to the individual

Rainstick dreams a set it and forget it, wonderful layering instrument that can go for 10 minutes (in my case) but I believe they have some that go longer.  Amaranth seeds fall over a helix, it’s the definition of whimsy and it’s such a settling sound

Medicine drum the drum journey is real, even if you are not intending it as a practitioner.  I have had the honor of sitting in ceremony with Mia Luz of Drum Doula twice now.  Once for an elk medicine drum, another time for a horse crystal medicine rattle and recently I invested in a buffalo drum that she imbued with my intention for reminding that there is always plenty.  All of Mia’s creations, whether through you or directly her, are pure, real and true to the highest.  I highly recommend checking out her medicine drum ceremonies

Tuning forks whether for grounding on the person after a particularly deep session or dispersing through the air to clear and connect, tuning forks make for a special vibrational addition to your service.  It is incredible how some can just keep going and going.  It’s no wonder they use them to diagnose neurological conditions.

But the most important thing to remember is your personal relationship with each of these instruments.  Every instrument I have ever received or invested in, I have had a deep personal relationship and connection with them.  I either love the sound aesthetic, how it feels to play, how diverse the sound is, how people seem to connect with it, how moving it is, the particular tone or special quality of it… It really all depends on your ear and your feeling in relation to the instrument.  You can buy every instrument in the world, but until you personally feel a close relationship with it, like you could play it for hours and continually get lost in the deep listening process, it won’t impact nearly as much as it does when you do.

Wishing you the best on your journey!  Please comment if you have any specific questions you want answered.