Chaula Hopefisher is a musician, educator, poet, athlete and minister who spreads Yogic teachings via the arts.
She received her BA in Music Education from Jersey City State College in 1980 (summa cum laud) and taught music in her New York City studio from 1980 until 1992. She taught in the Jazz department of Western Connecticut University in Danbury, CT in 1992.
Starting in the late 70s, Chaula performed as a freelance musician in New York City. She performed with the Hope Fisher Jazz Quartet and was leader and composer/arranger for the a capella quartet New Voice of Hope. She was a featured vocal soloist with the New York Singer's Orchestra, and a professional chorister, singing in churches and houses of worship. She also performed as bass player and/or singer in many pop, gospel, rock, R&B, and Reggae combos.
Concurrent with her music career, Chaula was a runner, a triathlete, and a master’s swimmer from 1980 until her Yoga practice became the focal point of her “in the body” practices in the early 1990s.
Chaula was initiated to the path of Sanatana Dharma by Yogi Amrit Desai in 1992 and moved into what was then the Kripalu ashram in 1993. She became a minister in the Universal Life Church in 1994 and now studies and shares sacred music and prayer from many different world traditions.
At Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Lenox, MA, Chaula served as yoga instructor, program director, and music director. In her role as Evening Program Director, Chaula created and produced over 600 hours of evening programming per year, including large-scale events such as rituals, holiday celebrations, and ecumenical worship. She curated a Wednesday night concert series, drawing upon a vast number of musical associates from her previous incarnation in New York City. She also directed weekend and week-long programs and retreats on spiritual attunement, meditation, Yogic lifestyle, and holistic healing.
Chaula left Kripalu Center in 1999 to establish Chaula™ Yoga & Music and to explore the work that has coalesced during the last 10 years of her career.
Chaula™ Yoga & Music is committed to promoting healing, integration, and personal / spiritual growth through the arts and timeless Yogic teachings. The company provides inspirational entertainment, activities, and special events for conferences, corporations, and non-profits. Chaula, as a performing artist, facilitator, and teacher is often the featured talent; But also functions as an events planner, producer, and booking agent, pulling in other talent as needed. The official launch date of her company was September 1999, which coincided with the release of Chaula™ Yoga & Music’s first CD entitled MULTI-COLORED CHANT, a collection of eclectic world music arrangements of original and traditional chants and prayers from many wisdom traditions.
Chaula™ Yoga & Music
PO Box 2008
Pittsfield, MA 01202-2008
413-637-3641
800-730-3191
http://www.chaula.com
Email: chaula@chaula.com
© 2000 Chaula™ Yoga & Music. all rights reserved.
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