(WASHINGTON, D.C, RELEASE: Nov. 1, 2012) – Internationally acclaimed Grammy-nominated musician and composer Dawn Avery’s new CD, “Rapidly Approaching Ecstasy: Music for Meditation and Movement.” The CD, a mesmerizing blend of Native American and World Music suitable for both meditation and ecstatic dance with soulful grooves, spiritual chants and sensual melodies, is the latest triumph for Avery, a musician, composer, healer and educator. The CD features Grammy-nominated artist, Dawn Avery on cello, voice, percussion and Native flute. Grammy Award- inning artist, Larry Mitchell, who most recently collaborated with Avery on her 2011 CD, “Our Fire: Native American Contemporary Songs,” joins her on guitars, keyboards and percussion. All of the CD’s songs were written and produced by Avery and Mitchell. Seven of the CD’s tracks are named for a particular chakra of tantric and yogic traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism (chakras are focal points found at the center of living things, both receiving and transmitting energy) and the last track features a guided visualization on the first three chakras, led by Dawn. The CD includes tracks in Mohawk, Tibetan, Farsi, Hebrew, Sanskrit and Spanish. “This music should to an appeal to audience looking for a new listening experience that is meditative and deeply spiritual, whether sitting alone in meditative practice, driving in the car, or dancing in the streets, this music promises to rejuvenate; and it arrives at the perfect time to relieve stress and promote relaxation during the holidays, which can be a stressful time of year,” says Avery, who is also an ethnomusicologist, educator and Mohawk woman with a rich tradition and knowledge of ceremonies. The CD is part of a package that will include a book (waiting for publication date). Workshops and performances are already under way in promotion of this work. (contact above for exact dates and more information) “The Chakras are wheels of light, energetic forces of balance and delight and it is from them that I have drawn my musical inspiration for this CD,” says Avery. “Let the kundalini, or your body’s energy, rise as you rapidly approach ecstasy.” “The range and variety and skill of Avery and Mitchell invite and then enclose the listener,” said New Hampshire Public Radio in an early review. “The songs move through distinct moods while sustaining an overall meditative through line, finishing with an actual meditation spoken by Avery in a soothing voice. She pulls deep, ancient resonances from her cello that sound almost archetypal. The melodies and rhythms at first hauntingly familiar and then departing with Avery’s sometime soaring, sometimes whispering vocals in English and Mohawk.” “Rapidly Approaching Ecstasy: Music for Meditation and Movement” is produced by Avery and Mitchell. Cover art is by Gaye Meyer. CD design is by Randy Ball. The CD was mastered by David Glasser, Airshow. About Dawn Avery The New York Times has called Avery a “daring cellist.” She is a composer and vocalist of incredible depth and passion, stands alone in her field as one of the most celebrated, original and passionate virtuosos of her time. Her decades’ long exploration of sacred music has led her to study the relationship between music and spirituality, especially in meditative practice. As a renowned and beloved workshop leader, Avery also uses meditation and 30 years of experience with shamans, healers, history, myth, world music and dance to help participants uncover their life's calling. Well known and respected in many musical worlds, Avery’s wide range of award winning musical works have been influenced by Indigenous thematic material, in particular her Mohawk heritage. Her works have been performed and supported by Lincoln Center, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian, The Ford Foundation, and American Composers Forum. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education named Avery “Maryland Professor of the Year” in 2011. She is currently completing a Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology studying sacred and ceremonial music as well as how music effects identity and is a conduit for healing. Queen of Guided Visualizations, Goddess of Chant and Cello, Dawn Avery’s Extensive Experience in Spiritual and Musical Worlds Shine in Her Newest Recording “Rapidly Approaching Ecstasy: Music for Meditation and Movement” “Rapidly Approaching Ecstasy: Music for Meditation and Movement” is a mesmerizing blend of Native American and World Music for meditation. It features Avery on cello, voice, percussion and Native flute. Grammy Award-winning guitarist Larry Mitchell, who most recently collaborated with Avery on her 2011 CD, “Our Fire: Native American Contemporary Songs,” joins her on guitars, bass, keyboards and percussion. Each of the CD’s seven tracks is named for a particular chakra of tantric and yogic traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism (chakras are focal points found at the center of living things, both receiving and transmitting energy). The CD includes tracks in Mohawk, Tibetan, Farsi, Hebrew, Sanskrit and Spanish. The CD is part of a package that includes a book (waiting for publication date), workshops and performances (dates available from Dawn's website and liz hill public relations). ABOUT THE PERFORMERS: DAWN AVERY The New York Times has called Avery a “daring cellist.” She is a composer and vocalist of incredible depth and passion, stands alone in her field as one of the most celebrated, original and passionate virtuosos of her time. Her exploration of sacred music has led her to study the relationship between music and spirituality, especially in meditative practice. As a renowned and beloved workshop leader, Avery also uses meditation and 30 years of experience with shamans, healers, world music and dance to help participants uncover their life's calling. Well known and respected in many musical worlds, Avery’s wide range of award winning musical works have been influenced by Indigenous thematic material, in particular her Mohawk heritage. LARRY MITCHELL Larry Mitchell is a Grammy winning record producer and engineer for Johnny Whitehorse’s record “Totemic.” As a producer, he has won awards in country, rap, rock, R&B, gospel, adult contemporary, and Native American traditional and contemporary. In addition to Dawn Avery, he has produced Robert Mirabel, Joy Harjo, and Shelley Morningsong. He has seven albums out as a solo artist that have won numerous awards in the rock instrumental, new age, and smooth jazz categories. He has toured with Tracey Chapman, Ric Ocasek, Billy Squier, Coolio, Montel Jordan, Pete Rock and CL Smooth. His current endorsements include: Ibanez Guitars; DiMarzio pickups; and D’Addario Strings. He has released seven of his own albums and has won numerous production and performance awards, including: New Mexico Music Awards; San Diego Music Awards; and Native American Music Awards. Larry is currently touring with his trio, The Larry Mitchell Band and with Dawn in promotion of this new CD, Rapidly Approaching Ecstasy.