OM Studios

Open Doors - draft 1 w.score.rmh

2011-11-24T22:06:00.006-05:00

Just a thought...breathe deep and enjoy...!

Open Doors - draft 1 w.score.rmh by Dean Allan Slickis

Fear Free Life - Now...Tara and Tao

2011-11-20T19:52:00.001-05:00

Breathe...

A Nice Meditation...!

2011-11-16T21:07:00.001-05:00

Enjoy...

Watch live streaming video from deepakhomebase at livestream.com

Deepak Homebase and GE Alfalfa

2011-11-16T19:12:00.002-05:00

A very Important must see...

Watch live streaming video from deepakhomebase at livestream.com

Playing our Part - Deepak Chopra at Zeitgeist Americas 2011

2011-10-26T20:16:00.000-04:00

Great Insights! We are on our Way...

International Day of Peace 9.21.2011

2011-09-21T10:43:00.009-04:00

Join US in the Global Movement to bring more Peace, Harmony, Laughter and Love into our every Moment!

New Research Shows Mindfulness ‘as Good as Antidepressant Drugs’ in Treating Depression | SpaFinder Club Spa

2011-09-14T21:04:00.001-04:00

New Research Shows Mindfulness ‘as Good as Antidepressant Drugs’ in Treating Depression | SpaFinder Club Spa

Mindfulness meditation training changes brain structure in 8 weeks - Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA

2011-08-07T00:28:00.000-04:00

Mindfulness meditation training changes brain structure in 8 weeks - Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA

Nirinjan Kaur and Transformational Yoga

2011-06-18T15:07:00.009-04:00

A great connection - Nirinjan Kaur and Transformational Yoga, Ormond Beach in Sunny Florida. The Video is from a recent retreat to India.

Ah, Dance...!

2010-07-01T16:20:00.015-04:00

Spent an evening playing with a talented young pianist at the St. Augustine Academy for the Performing Arts recently and considering our love of dance, we found this interesting...
Rakesh Chaurasia - great bansuri...enjoy!

Pure and Simple...!

2010-05-06T14:24:00.004-04:00

Bansuri by Pratap Gujar!

Ah, Expansion...!

2010-05-04T15:31:00.036-04:00

I was recently asked by Nicole Bondurant, our divinely appointed Progaram Consultant at the Chopra Center, as part of my Primordial Sound Meditation Instructor Certification, essentially 'who am I' and 'why do I wish to share the ancient and beautiful technique of Primordial Sound Meditation'...here is my response...

Other than the used gum on my driveway that I found fascinating enough to stick in my mouth as a very young child, one of my earliest and fondest memories is sitting in under my neighbours large maple tree on a green grass, blue sky, sunny late morning. As the sun sparkled through the green leaves above, I realized that God was in everything.

I had the fortunate blessing to play sports. I clearly remember my first experience with the joy of our life-force energy when I had deeply skinned my knee and found that as I placed my hand closer to the abrasion the pain lessened. I also found that if I allowed myself to breath normally, or even deeply with my hand near the abrasion, the tension in my muscles in other parts of my body released and the pain lessened every further. I came to first know this process as ‘ki’. To my amazement and pure joy, it worked every time.

I was now cool.

In my days of hospitality management my daily prayer to the Divine was ‘God, guide my every word, my every thought, my every action and my every decision for your highest possible good. Let your love, your light, your hope and your joy flow through me to each and every person with whom I have contact.’ From this simple daily prayer, I watched seemingly small yet amazing events unfold in the lives of the people with whom I had regular contact and with those whom I had only just met.

I have been a musician all of my life and over the last twenty years, music has been my meditation. In my daily practices, long tones and scales have been my mantras and improvisation my conversations with God. I now realize that I have been speaking far more than I have been listening.

I have been drawn to meditation since my early twenties. I had the thought long ago that meditation was more like a Divine prayer of love and surrender than a perfectly postured, cross-eyed focus on the end of my nose. I have simply been patient, waiting for amiable, knowledgeable guides and the proper technique. With the ability to share the beautiful, deeply resonant gift of Primordial Sound Meditation I become a guide who is also on the path of deeper clarity and Divine balance. My preference is to share the gift of Primordial Sound Meditation, where I am needed,

across boundaries and borders.
Namaste’

Now, I am listening more...

If you are interested in bringing more clarity, balance and abundance into your life contact me directly at OM Studios:

Dean Allan Slickis

e: dean.slickis@gmail.com c:904.333.4346 fb: Dean Allan Slickis t:DAllanSlickis

You may also contact Nicole Bondurant, our amazing Chopra Center Consultant nicolemarie@chopra.com 760-494-1657 or 888-424-6772 x 1657

Check Out - Nicole's Chopra Universe!

Deepak - in the Field...!

2010-05-01T13:57:00.011-04:00

Deepak shares a bit of wonderful insight regarding the Gap...!

Ah, Davidji...

2010-04-30T16:30:00.022-04:00

We spent a beautiful week with Davidji, Deepak Chopra and David Simon early this Spring and opened our path of Teaching Primordial Sound Meditation and the truly amazing Flow of Divine Energy...

Pure and Simply Beautiful

Rupak Kulkarni with Anuradha Pal (tabla)

2010-04-27T13:52:00.011-04:00

So Sweet...

Heaven in the Wind...!

2010-04-20T14:42:00.060-04:00

Rupak Kulkarni - rocks!
Check out this truly awesome Introduction to the Bansuri...!
*...the good stuff starts at 8 min...*

Rupak Kulkarni - ITCSRA Artist of the Month April, 2010 - Bhupali - Here!

If you are seeking to more fully explore the deep and beautiful sounds of the Bansuri - here are some excellent resources:

Pratap Gujar - best new maker in India - Hariprasad now plays his instruments in En = 440-442 - check it out Here
We have two superb custom professional instruments from Pratap
En and Dn = 440

Contact: Kirti Shaw - One World Trading - Kirti is the US contact and distributor for Pratap
*
Jeff Whittier - great US maker living in California. He uses beautiful sweet Hawiian bamboo and shares a relationship with the Ali Akbar College of Music in San Rafael, CA AACM - they carry his instruments exclusively...

He is the creator of GS Sachdev's amazing instrument - Here!

AACM store - Bansuri

A bansuri in 'An' is a great place to start - this is the same instrument as GS Scahdev uses in his Basics of the Bansuri video - available thru AACM - GS Video and Instrument

We have four instruments from Jeff Whittier

Our first two bansuri - both in Bb medium

One GS Schadev in Fn = 440

One amazing En concert = 444

Each instrument from Jeff is full of sweet beautiful music and certainly among our very favorites

Harsh Wardhan - the Preeminent bansuri maker in India. His flutes are used by professionals all over the globle

Harsh Wardhan Flutes

We have three instruments from Harsh

One small An and Two En concert

Here is a nice treat - Pandit Sujay Bobade - nice flow...

This flute is in Fn = 440

*
*

Ronu Majumdar - Bass Bansuri in Bb

One last thought, the bansuri for Hindustani Classical music is often quite large and keyed in En. If you are new to bansuri take the time to acquire a GS Schadev video and an 'An' bansuri from AACM - the staff at the AACM Store are great to work with and this combination will allow your transition to be a pleasant experience...

You may grow up to have a beautiful life, just like this cat...Here

Ah, a more peaceful wind...!

2010-04-20T12:31:00.034-04:00

The joy of a gentle breath thru bamboo...

Manose

Two great Manose videos... Here and Here

Rakesh Chaurasia

Check this out...Hariprasad with a Pratap Gujar flute

Great instruments!

Hariprasad Chaurasia

And of course...GS Schadev...!

GS Sachdev with a great - First Bansuri Lesson

Ah, Bansuri...!

2010-04-16T10:32:00.028-04:00

Bansuri was our first introduction to the music of India.
After a poetry/jazz performance in Raleigh, North Carolina many years ago, we stopped to pick up some hummus from the Indian market and were drawn to a $3.00 cassette in the 'sale' bin.
On the cover was a beautiful photo of a seated flute player by a stream with a simple, beautiful, long thin instrument - this was certainly a 'non-local' destiny altering, connection...

Ah, the path of the beautiful, gently flowing stream...sweet...

Rag Hindole - GS Sachdev

Zakir Hussain - interview

Master of the Bamboo Flute, Vol II

Rag Hindole - KK Songs

Raga Hindole - After Midnight Early morning raga
A celebration of spring. There are no 2nd or 5th notes. The 7th is used in a roundabout way (vakra). The 4th is sharp. The raga proceeds in three steps: the alap which unfolds the beauty of the raga, second is medium-slow ektal of 12 beats, and the lively third movement is in teental of 16 beats and expresses the joyfulness of springtime. The raga is played more in the upper octaves due to its heroic mood. The 7th note is used with great caution generally in a quick and subtle slide.

Rag Bageshri - KK Songs

Raga Bageshri - Late night raga
The 3rd and 7th notes are flat. There is occasional use of the 5th which beautifies the raga. The mood is graceful, deep and serious. The opening alap establishes the structure and the mood of the raga. The slow composition in ektal explores the depth of the raga and the mood lightens during the fast teental. The voice of the flute in both ragas reflects the singing style with its many nuances.

Kanjira...

2010-02-12T10:25:00.003-05:00

Kanjira - South India and Beyond
Small size - Huge voice!

Peter Lockett has produced a great basic first Kanjira Lesson

This is a nice find...here!

Speaking of Deep Grooves...

2009-09-29T22:15:00.019-04:00

We have a special place that is deeply enlivened by the harp guitar...
Can you locate the nod to Michael Hedges in this composition...

Here is a thumbs up to William Eaton...Luthier and musician extraordinaire...
We had a nice conversation with Mr. Eaton over the amazing Koa grain pattern in his Lyraharp guitar.

It was a reclaimed stump from an Hawaiian Koa tree...
Check out some samples of his musical work with R. Carlos Nakai at Canyon Records

Ah, the groove gets better!...

2009-09-29T00:32:00.016-04:00

Drop into these great grooves from Yaelisa & Caminos Flamencos
Amazing soundtrack...
*

And from the ever inspiring Jason Mcguire

Check out the free beginning Seguiriyas lesson

Now, go Play more...

Ah, that Flamenco Groove...!

2009-09-27T20:56:00.030-04:00

For those just getting flamenco guitar under their fingers, we found a few great insights from the Mojacar ensemble - Here and Here!
Now, pick up your groove and Play!

Powered by iSOUND.COM - visit this link for more...

Native American Flute (NAF)...

2009-09-26T21:16:00.027-04:00

Ah, the beautiful and tranquil sounds of the Native American Flute...

Delightfully pleasant and capable of great intimacy and phrasing, it has been used to calm the troubled soul and to give a voice to love.

Through the artistry of R. Carlos Nakai and many others,
the voice of the Native American Flute has reached into the worlds of classical, jazz and the music's of meditation and the healing arts.

R. Carlos Nakai plays instruments by Ken Light
We have two instruments by Ken Light at OM Studios
We certainly consider them among our very best!

*
Scott August comments on a beautiful JP Gomez F#
Heart Song flute.

Scott used a Pat Haran double drone flute on the Lost Canyon album
H ere is the Cedar Mesa review of this amazing instrument, enjoy...

For Players - please enjoy This excellent insight into the
Native American Flute and the Pentatonic Scale!
Then you can put them to use Here!

Intent...

2009-09-21T11:11:00.001-04:00

Amazing!

TIME - Targeted Intent Moves Energy

100 Million people - of which we are

Let's GO!

International Day of Peace...

2009-09-09T10:08:00.023-04:00

September 21st - Birth Day at the heart of OM Studios

Breathe Deep, Be at Peace and Send out a Prayer of Love!

Be the change you wish to see in the world -- Ghandi

United Nations
Intent for Peace
International Day of Peace
Culture of Peace Initiative
Earth Dance

Ahhh, Rebalancing...

2009-09-08T22:57:00.023-04:00

We found a great mp3...enjoy

Akshara Weave
"Ladder" (mp3)
from "The 10 Minute Chakra"
(Etherean Music, Inc)
Buy at iTunes Music Store
Stream from Rhapsody
More On This Album

Lifestyle Chill...

2009-09-06T21:47:00.040-04:00

Lifestyle Chill

Stuck in the traffic of the world...just click and drop in!

Great Flute - Himalayan Storm - Deepak Jai
*

An OM Studios/Nai Roshni 2010 project is now in the works...
The project was set motion and the first cello line composed this week!

Agni Network...Namaste!

2009-09-06T15:49:00.022-04:00

OM Studios is now a member of Deepak Chopra's Agni Global Network.
The Chopra Institute provides a wealth of incredible resources for positive change!

Let's begin with a beautiful emotional clearing - here!
We have also been deeply and positively inspired by Deepak's
Chakra Cleansing CD: Body, Mind & Soul

Udu Anyone...

2009-09-03T00:00:00.002-04:00

Udu is an amazing instrument - check this out...

Many cultures have a version of the clay pot drum but the Udu itself hails from Nigeria.

In the midst's of its deep cultural challenges it was reported in 2003 by the BBC that the happiest people live in Nigeria - interesting...

The south Indian version of the clay pot drum is the ghatam
Played very nicely by Vikku Vinayakram here and here!

Remo Tubano!...

2009-08-26T09:00:00.026-04:00

New at TPCC the exciting Remo Tubano and the Rhythms of Wellness group...here

This beautiful drum is a gift to the Rhythms Workshop from an anonymous donation - we are deeply grateful...

A little bird was quoted as saying that Christine Stevens may visit with us this fall...Amazing!

Speaking of Africa...

2009-08-24T22:58:00.005-04:00

This is the Decan Galcier on Mt. Kilimanjaro at sunrise.
(photo credit to oxyphoto.ru)

Sunrise on Mt. Kilimanjaro may be an upcoming 2010 en route adventure for the team at OM Studios!

Although, we may choose a mountain less traveled...

Speaking of Flamenco...

2009-08-23T15:20:00.007-04:00

This is a great interview with Ottmar Liebert from 1997!

OM Studios embraces and celebrates the compositional quality and the theories of melody found in OL's body of work - it can often be found gently flowing through our ipod.

We also fully embrace performing barefoot,

with flowers in your hair!

NAF and Santoor...Nai Roshni (New Light)

2009-08-22T22:37:00.035-04:00

This evenings performance was deep in the Zen garden...
With one of our favorite instrumental combination's
*
The Native American Flute

and
The North Indian Santoor

The evenings two half hour pieces were scored first in F# minor and second in G minor.
*
We played to a deeply appreciative audience.
It was as equally as pleasant to perform these pieces within the peaceful, candlelit setting of the eARTH show.

Ah, Flamenco...

2009-08-15T22:10:00.037-04:00

Tomatito

Vicente Amigo

Chicuelo

Paco de Lucia
If you have yet to become familiar with these names and their unique and amazing voices, please take the time to explore - click on the photos for one link, then click on the names for another...each artist is a great insight into the ability to listen and follow your own divine connection...
*
Check out Flamenco-World for the latest and greatest happenings on the big stage...
*
Jason and Ricardo are utilizing our current technology to enhance the future and the ongoing inspiration of our next generations of artists - again, click on the photos for one link, then click on the names for another and check it out, they are both amazing players!

Jason McGuire

Ricardo Marlow

First Thought...

2009-08-15T00:19:00.004-04:00

From today's early morning prayer, here is the breakthrough with the first thought of the day...

Karunesh

Life is Good!

Ah, Mbira...

2009-08-14T23:05:00.029-04:00

The Mbira, along with the Udu, has been high on our list of the truly great instruments of the world.
African in heritage and big in the groove of the modern rhythmic cycle - the latest Embira

The Mbira is an instrument traditional to the Shona of Zimbabwe
There is a great resource...here

Get your hands on one, count to sixteen and let go...!
...1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16...

Yo...Vashti!

2009-08-13T22:33:00.001-04:00

Vashti and the video ... great groove - 'nuff said!

Rhythm and Rhyme '09 Workshop - Media

2009-08-12T21:42:00.032-04:00

Two sources for a portion of the media coverage of the Summer '09 Rhythm and Rhyme workshop here and here.
A very fine evening.

Interesting, we often look different in photos than we do in our minds eye

The event was illuminated by candlelight and a few dim recessed ceiling lights that created a very intimate and beautiful setting. The camera flash lit the photos nicely.

Speaking of Names...

2009-08-11T21:10:00.023-04:00

After many interesting pronunciations of the last name Slickis (Slick-is) throughout the course of my path, I performed throughout my twenties utilizing only my first and middle name Dean Allan.

From my families history my fathers grandfather came to America from Lithuania. He settled and began a family. His son, Jack Slickis, went on to become a well regarded musician and tenor saxophonist in the big bands centered in Detroit's jazz scene. My grandmother, having a love for a night out dancing, found herself enamored of the handsome young jazz artist and together they issued in the next generation of my fathers family.

I have but two photos of Jack, one a snazzy promo photo in a very hip and classy suit and another taken on the porch of my grandmothers house with Jack, my grandmother and my father who looks to be a year or two old in the photo.

The relationship was apparently short lived. In her latter years my grandmother at the simple mention of Jack's name would raise her lip to the side and shake her fist with a purpose - often accompanied by a stout vocal "grrrrr..." Their relationship may not have ended with the rainbows and light that brought them together.

I inherited the blessing of Jack's musical gene. After all, there are gypsies still to to be found in Lithuania and an Ottmar who plays beautiful guitar.

New Music in Lithuania is alive and well.

Take a look and a listen here and here and check out a few of the links toward the bottom of this page here

Hypermodern Design...

2009-08-09T22:06:00.034-04:00

Finally, the design world of the traditional flamenco guitar is expanding and incorporating a wealth of new ideas, many from the acoustical advancements in classical guitar design.

Here are a couple of links regarding the instruments of the renowned San Francisco luthier Glenn Canin...video here and the very accurate "potent" comment here!

Every note in every register on Glenn's guitars is simply, powerful...truly amazing!

Some great photos here

Glenn Canin and flamenco phenom Jason McGuire explore a few combination's of tone woods and their inherent sounds...and expound on the hypermodern design HERE and here...Amazing sound!

Blanca, Negra, Blanca, Negra...Honduran Rosewood!

I spoke with Glenn recently and surprisingly he lives only a few blocks from where I resided in San Francisco on 17th Street near the Castro Theatre. Great builder, great design! His world-class instruments sing with a true and clear voice from the light of the soul!

Guruji

2009-08-08T12:32:00.024-04:00

Pandit Nandkishor Muley
A very tasteful musician, he has always shown great kindness to me. He asked me to teach tabla classes for him a few years ago. He is the guru for my dear friend and amazing Santoor player Manhar Goshi.

My first tabla guru was Gabe Halberg. I still play a some of the compositions and variations he passed on to me...if you are ever in the north east area of the United States he is an open, knowledgeable, patient teacher and a long time student of Samir Chatterjee. Take a look at the 35th Parallel - there are a number of very pleasant and free downloads and some great Native American Flute from NAF phenom Evren Ozan!

Speaking of Tabla...

2009-08-07T22:24:00.029-04:00

Zakir Hussain presents the technique of Terekite through gharanas...here!

A Punjab composition -

dha treke dhetete ge treke dhetete dhati dhage
tuna kena dhati dhage dhati dhage tuna kena
ta treke tetete ke trekete tetete dhati dhage
dhina gena dhati dhage dhati dhage dhina gena

Played here

Zakir and a couple of beautiful thoughts about the musical connection...

here and here

Speaking of Frame Drums...

2009-08-06T14:39:00.053-04:00

Here is an opening Zen thought

1 e + a 2 e + a 3 e + a 4 e + a

D * D * t k T * D * t k T * t k

Baladi - a quick dance rhythm and yet,
Played Slowly - it is a great opening meditation

*
David Kuckhermann has an excellent site.
It is a wonderful resource for inspiration and the unique
expanding voice of the Frame Drum

If you enjoyed this, please visit Glen Velez and Layne Redmond
They have both played unique and pivotal roles in expanding the vocabulary and awareness of the Frame Drum family and the range of sonic possibilities.

By ALL means take a look around here - fingerworks.org
Take time to experience a few of the mp3's
*

Randy Gloss has a great introduction to the Riq in the Lessons section

Peter Lockett has produced a great basic and simple first Kanjira
Lesson
*

And this is a great exercise!
Mother of All Polyrhythms
*
Get it in your groove and go!

Speaking of Rhythm...

2009-08-05T22:59:00.050-04:00

It was an amazing and delightful evening for the
Summer '09 Rhythm and Rhyme Workshop
at
Palm Valley Gardens

Everyone who joined us contributed a truly beautiful voice to the workshop circle. An enchanting evening, we parted with a new awareness of the unique power of rhythm in our lives, a memory to be cherished and the tools to bring a center of Rhythm, Harmony and Light to our lives and to the lives of the people we touch.

Please join us this fall for another beautiful evening of rhythm, sharing, learning and joy. We look forward to seeing you again and welcoming our new friends.

Visit Marilyn Wilson - marilynsonthemove.blogspot.com - she is a writer who is always on the move and in the know, an activist for a positive life well-lived and a rhythm lover with a unique and blossoming voice.

If you are planning upcoming event, wish to experience the very finest in a spectacular setting and have your experience accented with superior personalized service Palm Valley Gardens ranks among the worlds very finest.

Who?

2009-08-03T22:44:00.023-04:00

I was asked recently by the St. Johns Cultural Council for some basic information and photos to be published about me, I found it rather interesting.

Art Worthy

The weekly St. Johns Cultural Council e-newsletter and the St. Augustine Record's COMPASS

Name: Dean Allan Slickis
Occupation: Musician and Director of Musical Studies for OM Studios
Artist or Advocate: Artist
Artistic tool of choice: Sound
First artistic memory: The sunlight in the green leaves of the tree above me - Curtis street
Defining moment as an artist: Realizing the ability to listen is a Divine gift to be shared
Favorite art related possession at the moment: My North African Frame Drum and my Spanish Flamenco guitar
Why St. Johns County: My current path

August '09 Rhythm and Rhyme Workshop link here and here and here and media coverage here

Clouds '08

2009-08-02T18:39:00.010-04:00

In the clouds, as usual...

NM Rockies 13,400 (+/-)

A great photo from 2008 over the Taos Ski Valley

Nai Roshni (New Light)

2009-08-02T10:03:00.021-04:00

A great ensemble. Santoor - Manhar Goshai, Tabla - Dean Allan Slickis, and Tambura played by various visiting artists - we played house concerts and were asked to headline the first St Augustine Earth Day 'Spirit' Festival. This hearkens back to 2003 - media coverage here and here

We will be working on recording support for other artists this year 2009/2010...

Speaking of Tabla - Try this out...here - Enjoy!

Summer '09

2009-08-01T23:38:00.032-04:00

Welcome Back!

Returned from the West last fall and it is a great ('09) summer.

I do, however, miss the mountains - the views are amazing!

Visit Remo Health Rhythms TODAY! You'll be glad you did.
This is the core inspiration for all of our Rhythm Workshops!

eARTH '09 - opening night

August '09 Rhythm and Rhyme Workshop link here and here

July '09 Workshop here

The ongoing TPC Players Community Center Rhythms of Love, Light and Health Drumming Workshop here

It's good to support our communities and families!