Music
The Universe is always singing and all these notes we learn to receive…
Music has been a natural part of my life since childhood, growing up with two music teachers as parents. I started playing the classical trumpet at the age of 7, performing in youth symphony orchestras and various ensembles. I was also often singing and attended a music school in the city where I grew up, which focused on Scandinavian choral singing. As a teenager I came across traditional Swedish folk singing and fell deeply in love with it, especially the traditional chorals and hymns that touched something ancient within me.
After graduating from high school I went on to study traditional Swedish folk singing at the Conservatory of Music in Falun, Sweden, followed by a bachelor’s degree from the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm. Simultaneously, I founded the vocal quartet Kraja with my sister and two of our friends, with whom I have continued to work and tour over the past 25 years. I have collaborated with the world-renowned musicians Mats Öberg and Jonas Knutsson and am currently often performing alongside my partner, Jon Sousa. Over the past 10 years, I have integrated sacred chants into my repertoire and found how they touch the same part of me as the ancient Scandinavian hymns. My greatest joy is to bring listeners an experience of remembrance through singing.
Shekhinah
Shekhinah is the presence that dwells among us - not the distant heaven, but the Divine as it walks the earth, breathes in the body and rests in the ordinary moment. In the old Kabbalistic teaching she is the indwelling face of God, presence itself, waiting to be met. She is said to go into exile with her people, to scatter herself into every broken and hidden place, gathering the sparks of light that fell at the beginning of the world. Wherever two or more souls turn towards each other in love, wherever a gathering opens itself in reverence - there, the tradition says, she comes to rest.
Bird of Peace
The bird of peace descending towards the earth as a messenger from the supreme. It is still far but one day it will alight upon the earth. Then there will be peace. This mantra was created after inspiration from Mother of Pondicherry who drew her signature in the shape of a descending bird. The mantra is offered as a support and an invitation - to let the quality of supreme peace move through us and into the world, for ourselves as well as all living beings who share this earth.
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Kraja
With unique consistency and precision, four individual voices melt together into one unison body. Kraja have created their own musical universe - meditative, captivating and poetic - that has spellbound audiences and critics alike. After tours around the world, five albums, two EP:s, collaborations with a symphony orchestra and a Swedish Grammy nomination, Kraja have developed a highly influential role stylistically and are one of the most successful Swedish folk music bands on the international music scene.
Lisa Lestander & Jon Sousa
Lisa & Jon play traditional folk music from Scandinavia and Ireland as well as sacred chants. Their music is an invitation to slow down and connect with what is most authentic in our human experience. Bringing together their two voices, guitar, shruti box and flugelhorn they offer music as a place of homecoming in the midst of a fast-paced world.
