Martin KlabundeMKAdungu1
Founder, Director,
and CEO of Collective Awakening
Martin Klabunde is an author, a speaker, an international musician, and the founder of Collective Awakening. His book, "Music Is Medicine: Accessing Sacred Wisdom From The Master Within," highlights his dedication to empowering individuals with an intentional use of music and his speaking presentations have inspired many to achieve inner transformations.
A musician at heart since childhood, Martin began touring as a teenager and went on to study music in East and West Africa. After studying with initiated drum masters, Martin became one of a handful of Certified Professors of the Djembe at Mamady Keita's Tam Tam Mandengue International School of Djembe. In addition to drumming, Martin has also achieved excellence in playing the adungu (bowl harp from Uganda), the akogo (thumb piano from Uganda), and the Australian didgeridoo. As a multi-instrumentalist and a prolific musician, Martin has produced five music CD's and three meditation CD's with the specific intention to promote joy, freedom, and love.
Before establishing Collective Awakening, Martin was the founder and director of The Dambe Project, a non-profit organization that utilizes West African performance art in youth mentorship and community development. Martin has taught music in over 75 schools and facilitated drumming workshops and interactive presentations for up to 800 people and for audiences with a diversity of backgrounds. With over 20 years of teaching, performance, and workshop facilitation experience, Martin brings a wealth of artistry, knowledge and wisdom to Collective Awakening events around the country.
Wing Man RWMAdungu1ita Law, Ph.D.
Co-Director of Collective Awakening
A native of Hong Kong, Wing Man Rita Law came to the United States to pursue a doctoral degree in psychology. Her dissertation was titled "An Analogue Study of Loving-Kindness Meditation as a Buffer against Social Stress." Having completed her dissertation, Wing Man graduated with a Ph.D. from The University of Arizona in 2011.
Wing Man's musical journey began when she met Martin in the summer of 2008. What began as a curiosity in African drumming sparked not only a passion for music but also a close bond of friendship and a musical partnership. In 2010, Wing Man and Martin joined in marriage. With a timely discovery of her musical talents and Martin's unconditional support and guidance, Wing Man began to play a variety of instruments including the bass adungu (bowl harp from Uganda), the akogo (thumb piano from Uganda), and the djembe. With a tranquil and soothing voice, Wing Man also guides the meditation on the Loving Kindness Metta CD and sings on the music CD, From the Heart.
Since graduating in May 2011, Wing Man has been touring with Martin around the country. She has performed in a variety of venues from performance theaters to yoga studios and ashrams. She also co-facilitates workshops and retreats with Martin and is the co-director of Collective Awakening.
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