10% OF THE PROFIT FROM EACH CD IS DONATED TO GADEN RELIEF, A NONPROFIT CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION. Gaden Relief has become famous, despite its modest size, for its efforts in channeling medicine and funds to the Tibetan refugee community-in-exile and to monasteries in Tibet, India and Mongolia.
“Yoko's fresh style lends her music a certain beauty, affording one visions of spacious, blue sky and of horses riding the air, of mantra garlands unfurling and prayer flags fluttering in the wind. I sat enthralled by the presence of this talented artist on stage. Her voice -- by turns powerful, enticing, generous, lovely and playful -- is suffused with devotion and makes listening to the mantras a profoundly spiritual, transformative experience...no healing place should be without it.”
~ Margrith Schraner-author
“I'm really happy about this CD, because for a long time I thought that I would love to hear our prayers in exactly this way, which bridges Tibet, India and the West. I love the Indian style of the Tara prayer, the Migzema touches my heart and my favourite is Mahakala - it takes me right away into a timeless state of mind, a dedicated, joyful journey...I wish you all the best, thank you for your work - I'm touched.”
~Oliver Oswald, managing director of Rabten Foundation.
“When I listen to Yoko singing the mantras I sometimes find myself crying , especially to the "Medicine Buddha" ....I get chills up my spine and her voice takes me on up to the higher realms. Everyone should have this CD so they too can be transported to the heavenly highways....thank you for offering up this work of soul healing to us all....what a privilege.”
~ Linda Buffy
BIO
Yoko was born and grew up in the beautiful province of British Columbia, Canada. Influenced by the great rivers, valleys and vast mountains that surround her home, she was inspired to integrate the peace that nature offers into her music. Having a musical family and creative friends helped shape her own artistic abilities and inspired them to grow. Guided by the people who most inspire her (her teachers) Yoko tries to incorporate compassion and wisdom into every aspect of her life and especially in her song writing; bringing a strong purpose to her music and inspiring the listener to look for the deeper meaning in life, encouraging their own love and compassion to grow and awakening the natural state of peace that lives within us all.
Performing and writing her own songs since she was 13, Yoko has toured and sung with a number of bands, singing a diverse variety of musical styles: Disco, RnB, Spiritual, Ethnic, Jazz, World Beat and Hip-Hop. Opening for Jann Arden she performed her original songs to a packed arena of enthusiastic fans and received a standing ovation. In 2008 Yoko wrote, recorded and co-produced a ground breaking CD: “Yoko Treasury Of Jewels”, Tibetan Buddhist mantras and praises. Having a fresh flavor, it infuses traditional Tibetan mantras and instruments with tabla and Indian style melodies. With a new western interpretation and original composition, it has a World Beat feel. Her vision was to blend the three musical styles from Tibet, India and the West, while still keeping a strong traditional Tibetan authenticity so that the essence of the teachings can shine through in a new inspiring way, that people of all ages can enjoy and relate to. “Yoko Treasury of Jewels” is accumulating great reviews and is continuing to be well received. Yoko plans to record more CDs in the near future, both mantra CDs and CDs of her other original songs, which have an RnB/Soul style sound.
Yoko has been a student of dance since the young age of 7 and has studied a number of different styles: Modern Contemporary, West African, Hip-Hop, Bhuto, Traditional Balinese Temple Dance, Afro-Cuban, Salsa, Afro-Brazilian Samba and Belly dance. She has toured and performed in many dance shows. Yoko has worked as a model for both designer photo shoots and runway fashion shows. Yoko is also a visual artist specializing in portraits. Check out Yoko’s artwork. People who hear Yoko’s music or see her perform are very touched, asking: “where did she learn how to sing like that?” She has a strong impact on people; whether they are young, old or middle aged they are all moved by the content in Yoko’s songs, her silky smooth powerful voice and her magnetic stage presence. Her passion is what guides her and she is passionate about helping and inspiring others.
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