Original compositions of musical prayers and
visionary improvisations, performed by Ruth
Cunningham, singer, flutist, sound healer and
former member of the acclaimed vocal quartet,
Anonymous 4 and Diana Stork, harpist,
composer and Director of the award-winning
Festival of Harps (sm) and the Bay Area Youth
Harp Ensemble.
FROM THE MUSICIANS
"It was really a very beautiful experience making this CD, Sacred Light. We found this beautiful space in St. Stephen's Church in Belvedere, CA and we just filled it with music.The album turned out to be almost half improvisation, just inspired by the space and by our working together and offering prayers."
"I love the work I'm doing now as a sound healer because it uses all the skills that
I have worked on throughout my life: singing, flute playing, keyboard, harp as
well as spiritual practices that I have engaged in for many years. While I was in
Anonymous 4, I only used my voice; now I'm creating music live for individual
clients and workshops, reiki circles, yoga classes and massage. When I work with
people, I encourage them to use music more consciously and especially to use
their own voices as a tool for transformation, healing and connection to spirit.
Music, sound and vibration are amazing tools and I think in times to come, people
will realize more and more what a powerful gift they are for both healing ourselves
and the planet." – Ruth Cunningham
"Buddhism has enabled me to combine my music and my spiritual life. The first
composition on Sacred Light, "As Long" is a Tibetan Buddhist prayer that I use on
a daily basis and Great Ocean was written in honor of the Dalai Lama. Composing
the music for Sacred Light and then improvising with Ruth, Cheryl and Dan during
the recording session at St. Stephen's enabled me to express my spiritual
aspirations in ways I could never have imagined."
"The harp is such an ancient instrument – it's used in Asia, Africa, South America,
Europe – yet people today are rediscovering it's therapeutic merit. Listening to
harp can help awaken you, it can unleash your creative problem solving ability,
or it can help you relax and find comfort and solace. A lot of new age music
blends electronic instruments with traditional acoustic ones. Sacred Light is all
acoustic, just voice, harp, cello and flutes. It is music for tranquility, meditation
and contemplation. The simplicity and purity of it—no synthetic or electronic
enhancements – really seems to appeal to people involved in healing
professions." – Diana Stork FESTIVAL OF HARPS
REVIEWS
"Ruth Cunningham, Diana Stork and friends have created a calm ray of peace for
the spirit in SACRED LIGHT. This album brings harmony and gentleness to the
mind and calls forth the colorful image of light through sound."
–Don Campbell, composer, author, The Mozart Effect
"The intuitive weaving of the healing voice and timeless instruments guide listeners
to a state of deep peace, and sacred stillness. Ruth Cunningham and Diana Stork
create a safe container for deep rest and relaxation."
–Pat Moffitt Cook, director of the Open Ear Center, author, Shaman,
Jhankri & Nele and Brainwave Symphony
"Warmth and sunshine and pleasantness, together with peace and tranquility and
contentment! Put them all together and you have the personality of the beautiful
D, SACRED LIGHT! It is like a massage for the soul!
–Nina Black, Manager, Golden Bough, Pacifica, CA
NEWS
Ruth Cunningham was the featured guest in a one hour special titled, "Holiday
of Healing" on the nationally syndicated, NPR radio show, "Harmonia". Ruth was
interviewed by show host, Angela Mariani and two tracks from Sacred Light were
aired.
Ruth Cunningham volunteered her musical artistry on a regular basis over a six
month time period at St. Paul's Church Chapel, a rest and recovery site in lower Manhattan for Ground Zero workers.
Ruth Cunningham sang and played several times during services at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in NYC, as part of the Visiting Artists Series.
For two consecutive years, Ruth and Diana played for the Womens' DreamQuest at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, CA.
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