Rene Whitlock, a professional soapmaker with 23 years’ experience, is the founder of The Soap Making School in Vancouver, Canada. She has taught thousands of people to make soap across the world. Rene, who uses only organic essential oils and eco-friendly ingredients in her soapmaking and skin products, is also a Reiki Master who has created a line of Reiki-infused chakra blends.
Dr. Ysaye M. Barnwell, PhD, is a prolific composer, master teacher and choral clinician conducting workshops around the world. She was a member of Sweet Honey in the Rock from 1979 to 2013. Dr. Barnwell studied violin for 15 years beginning at age 2 ½ and majored in music throughout high school. She earned her Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Speech Pathology, Doctor of Philosophy in Speech Pathology and a Master of Science in Public Health. Dr. Barnwell was awarded the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree by her alma mater, SUNY Geneseo and conducts workshops all over the world. Her “Building a Vocal Community®: Singing in the African American Tradition” has been conducted on three continents in the past 28 years.
Yasmin Boland, a former journalist/TV producer turned award-winning astrologer whose online and magazine columns are read by millions of people each week around the world, is the author of several books, including Moonology (which has been in the Amazon astrology best-seller charts for more than 200 weeks); Working With the Magic of Lunar Cycles; and, most recently: Moon Diary.
William J. Kaplanidis, LAc, MS, MA, a licensed acupuncturist with 35 years’ experience in several healing and martial arts, developed the Acudragon® Wellness System to rapidly and safely assist people on their path to healing and transformation. He has helped thousands through his individual treatment sessions in his private practice in NYC and his many classes.
Toni Bergins, MEd, has been developing JourneyDance™ since 1997. She has now touched the lives of more than 75,000 people through her classes and workshops. She has produced a popular instructional JourneyDance™ CD, a clothing line, and an inspirational card deck, Love Your Body! Love Your Life! She has been featured in Yoga Magazine and FitnessRx. Toni leads a growing team of over 500 JourneyDance™ Teachers internationally.
Tim is a musician and recording artist from NYC. He is a world travelled performer, singer, song writer and producer. As a touring keyboardist and vocalist with Gym Class Heroes has toured and or performed with The Roots, Bruno Mars, Lil Wayne, Drake, T-Pain and more. Tim is an RIAA certified gold featured artist for his work on Travie McCoys “Lazarus” album and is a composer of innovative ambient sounds.
Thomas Amelio is a leader, teacher and facilitator in the field of contemplative education and practice. He intensely studied yogic disciplines and philosophy in India, where he edited Rajarshi Muni’s classic, Yoga–The Ultimate Spiritual Path. He is a founding member of and has been a senior teacher at Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health for over 35 years and is President Emeritus of The New York Open Center in New York City. His latest CD is Mantra Darshan–Vedic and Tantric invocations for meditative absorption.
