Meet Suzanne Pierson
Founder and Lead composer

Truly a Song Poet who began composing at age 8, her musical parents had great influence on her artistry. Mom played by ear, on the piano, anything you could hum, and Dad was the Choir Soloist with his deep baritone voice. Virtually hundreds of songs have found their way into the world through Suzanne's talent. She composes on guitar, piano, marimba or synthesizer.

Suzanne's background reflects years of musical experience. Her travels around the world inspire and enrich her music. This globetrotter made the 1st album produced in Africa of original songs composed by an American woman and distributed to an international market. It was entitled, "Child"!

On tour from stages in Hollywood to India, Suzanne's voice and original songs have been enjoyed by thousands of people. Guest vocalist at major University Women in Music Conferences, she has received the high recognition for her gifts.

As a Music Specialist for 15 years, Suzanne's teaching excites young musicians to their best performances. Her award-winning, environmental musicals, performed by children for children, received accolades from schools in America and internationally, from the United Nations, to the Earth Summit in Brazil. Her music won the Colorado Governor's Award for Excellence in Education and prizes from the Denver Mayor's office and Denver Museum of Art.

Suzanne writes poems, literature for children, photographs, and chronicles her life experiences through word as well as song. The beauty of the earth, spiritually connected to her creations, moves her. Her values are extraordinary and refined by her experiences as a cancer survivor where "giving back" and a sense of gratitude and celebration for Life guide her every decision.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Sheldon Sands' parents strongly supported his musical development. He became proficient at the Classics as a teen. Motown, the Folk Revival, the Beatles and the Blues and Jazz studies influenced Sheldon's piano playing and compositions.

In 1981 Sheldon moved to Boulder, Colorado. After private lessons with the renowned Bill Douglas, Sheldon began intensive studies at the Naropa Institute, on world music, jazz, and improvisation earning a BA in Music. Sheldon continues to perform as piano soloist and with many acclaimed bands. He was a student of "Music: Health and Healing" with Don Campbell, "Music for People" with David Darling, and improvisation and composition with Art Lande.

In 1995 Sheldon released "Across Many Oceans", a critically acclaimed CD of original compositions that cross cultural borders, celebrating our planet's human and ecological diversity in a lighthearted journey through multiple ethnic and contemporary styles. In 1997 a seven month artistic residency in Arad, Israel provided a rich opportunity to study Middle Eastern music. Sheldon then recorded in Tel Aviv in the Spring of 1998 with some of Israel 's top Jewish and Arabic musicians. In October 1999, Sheldon initiated Shalhevet Productions, bringing "The Poetry of Peace, Spiritual Music of the Middle East", to the historic Boulder Theater, featuring Turkish/Egyptian virtuoso Omar Faruk Tekbilek, and the Jewish/world music ensemble Davka.

Deborah Schmit-Lobis, a multi-talented composer/musician, enhances our roster of talent with her wonderful reputation and professionalism. Her impeccable work shines as musician/arranger for the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Opera Colorado, and the Colorado Children's Chorale. Currently she's been touring with bands such as "Edison Lighthouse", and recording with Grammy nominee, Nawang Khechog a Tibetan flutest working with Kitaro. Deborah takes the lead with her expertise for our Astrology Star Chart Music compositions.

Steve Glotzer has been performing around the country at clubs, festivals and concerts for over twenty years. In Borrowed Time, an early 90's rock/jazz band, Steve developed his signature sound, opening shows for Delbert McClinton, Blues Traveler, Dr. John and others. This sound was later refined in the acoustic folk, jazz, blues duo Acoustic Food Chain. Steve has performed at folk, blues, and jazz festivals across the country and has performed on the same bill with such diverse artists as Larry Coryell, David Grisman, Son Seals, David Wilcox, Sonia Dada Roger McGuinn, John Cowen, Richard Elliott, and more.

Emilia Fernández received her BSM in Scoring/Arranging from the University of Colorado at Denver. Her arrangements have been performed by the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra. Emilia is currently working on her first musical as part of her Master's Degree. She currently works as a freelance composer/arranger, and teaches adult education classes for Boulder Valley Schools.

Ed Battle, a debonair vocalist/actor, is renowned as an entertainer in the Denver area for his impeccable Jazz Standards at leading clubs, cabarets, and in concert. This talented singer worked 12 years with the Horace Henderson Combo and another 12 at the well-known El Chapultepec Jazz Club. Currently with the Denver Jazz Orchestra and making personal appearances, he recently released his first CD, "Live Standards".
Ed and His Trio can often be heard on KUVO FM.

Ed has also earned high recognition in noted drama, film, and commercial talent circles for his many roles. Major productions include "Death of Bessie Smith", "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom", and playing Charlie "Yardbird' Parker in "Unfinished Women". He's performed in musicals galore, acting in "Bubblin' Brown Sugar", "Ain't Misbehavin'", "In the House of the Blues", "Purlie", "Guys and Dolls", "God's Trombones", and "Nothin' But Gershwin" to name a few.

We are proud and pleased to have his caliber of talent and expertise join our Song Ceremonies Team.

Sheryl Bass - With a vocal range of more than three octaves and an eclectic musical repertoire, Sheryl Bass sings everything from sultry torch songs to Coloratura Mozart arias. Sheryl has masters degrees in both social work and journalism. She uses these skill sets to connect with an audience and in her poetry/lyric writing. Sheryl performs at life cycle and corporate events. Her influences include Bernadette Peters, Norah Jones, Sarah Brightman and Linda Ronstadt. She lives in Boulder with her significant human, Neil, and her significant Chihuahua-mix, Lyric.

Danae Shanti has been a working music professional for over ten years. She brings together her skills as singer, songwriter, producer, vocal coach, and Mom in her desire to empower the lives of children through song. Danae lives in Boulder, CO with son Ryan, and travels cross-country sharing her vision and music.

In her childhood, Danae heard songs in the rocks, trees and streams and was often found singing these songs of life from nature. In her twenties, she began to "hear" the songs of friends, animals, and the Earth. A mystical awakening in 1987 expanded her sensitivity and she began to tap into the
songs of the Angels, and people's soul songs of Guidance, Love and Healing. Her gifts of singing and intuition were blended to "transmit" personal song gifts for individuals and for her audiences in concerts, live and on the spot.

As founder of Sounding Free Productions, she helps people discover their authentic voice and thereby express their creative power. She accomplishes this vision through writing and erforming original music, producing CD's, teaching classes and workshops.

Kerry Anderson is an inspired songwriter embraces styles from folk rock to classical, country and pop. Her composing exhibits an expressive lyricism capturing life's real moments. A soulful vocalist, performer, recording artist and musician, Song Ceremonies is proud to have her on our Team of Talent.

Chris Parent, a jazz-trained guitarist from Ohio, began his musical career as a member of the Cleveland Cavalier's Jazz Band, and by the age of he was performing for crowds of up to 25,000 people. He has since been a member of many experimental bands and has embarked on solo recording projects throughout his travels, including a year spent as a volunteer at Habitat For Humanity in Georgia. Now living in Boulder, Colorado, Chris works as a musician and recording artist with SongCeremonies.com He has been trained as a Reiki master, has studied the effects of music and vibration on the body, mind, and spirit, and has received training in 2nd century madhymika Buddhism from Dr. Paul Donnelly, himself a student of the 14th Dalai Lama's tutor, Geshe Sopa. Chris has a BA in religious studies from Northern Arizona University with an emphasis in Buddhism. He incorporates into his life compassion and selflessness, his basis for creating beautiful music.