ABOUT
Chaya Glaser is an Americana/folk artist, songwriter, music educator, and certified sound healing practitioner who writes music rooted in harmony and vivid storytelling. Informed by her Orff Schulwerk training, she has over 15 years of music education experience, exploring sound and music as a universal language. It begins with the rhythm of our heartbeat.
"Chai" means "life" in Hebrew, and is also Chaya's namesake. It is through breath that beings are given soul and life.
My Story
Born into a family of musicians along the Southern California coast, I have always been sensitive to sound and waves. Immersed in family singalongs with my parents, grandparents, great aunts and uncles, and my sisters, I value the beauty of cocreating harmony within and with others.
I studied classical piano and English Literature, and was naturally drawn to writing music, and started a band, Glaser Drive, with my sisters, performing original Americana/Folk music together.
For over 15 years, I have had the creative opportunity to develop music curriculum, and mentor colleagues in both New York and San Diego. Working at Ramaz Lower School on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, NY (for over a decade), and at SAR Academy in The Bronx, NY, I introduced, designed, and implemented Orff Schulwerk curriculum. When students enter my classroom, they know they're in for: instrument improv, movement magic, whimsical stories, singing and confidently finding their voices, harmonizing together - life is about curiosity and play.
Informed by the Orff method of music education, I was called to delve deeper. This led me on a journey to Bali where I studied traditional Gamelan music (the roots of Orff Schulwerk), at the Cudamani Institute.
Playing thick, metal, barred gangsa instruments daily for hours at a time profoundly affected me. I felt the vibrations resonate through my body, bones and soul, and wanted to explore what was happening on both a scientific and spiritual level. It was in Bali where I also experienced my first sound meditation session.
Wanting to explore more, I studied and received my Sound Healing Certification at the Sage Academy of Sound, in New York, and an Integrative Sound Healing Certification (accredited by AHNA) from Sacred Sound of the Soul in Encinitas, California. I lead sound baths and meditation sessions, holding space in a variety of environments for individual private sessions, groups, and large scale events.
As a founding member of Bloom Sound Collective, based in Brooklyn, NY, I love cocreating immersive sound experiences for community and beyond.
Jonathan Goldman, a pioneer in sound healing writes simply, that “we all can hum…if you have a voice, you can hum”. Your hum is your portable, unique fundamental healing device.
Continually learning from my teachers and those around me, I hope my music resonates with you. And, I look forward to holding space for you, and helping you find healing and peace with your individual hum. Your vibrational sound. I believe in the power of music and collective resonance to build understanding, harmony, and strength within the self, community, and beyond - with curiosity and play at the core!
We are sound.
I'm forever grateful to my teachers, including Lea Garnier, Dr. John Beaulieu, John Medeski, Wha!, the ocean, Artur Papazian, the divine universe, Ella Kargman, and my teachers at Cudamani, for their wisdom and generosity of spirit along this journey.
“Listen to the waves of sound within you."
~Rumi
