Biography

Kathy Zavada is a nationally acclaimed recording/performing artist of inspirational and sacred music and a popular, engaging speaker and retreat/workshop leader. Kathy is also in the final year of an interfaith seminary program at the same time she is leading a monthly ministry in Redding, CA.

Kathy’s music is a favorite for healing retreats and workshops. She has been the featured guest speaker and performing artist at hundreds of New Thought Churches and Spiritual Centers for over 20 years. She has served as Music Director for Unity Church of Davis, CA. She tours nine months out of the year, and has a full schedule of both speaking and singing engagements at Spiritual Centers nationwide. She also offers three annual spiritual/nature retreats in Mt. Shasta, Lake Tahoe, and Maui.

To contact Kathy for speaking engagements, musical presentations, concerts, workshops and retreats, write her at
See also: Kathy Speaking in Grass Valley, CA (YouTube video)
See also: Retreat Offerings

 
MUSIC
Regarding her music, Kathy shares that “music is a very sacred way of transmitting something that takes us beyond the mind, into an ocean of love, a deep experience of peace, well-being, and pure presence. Consciousness is clearly transmitted through music, and when it is refined, it has a way of going straight to the heart and melting anything that makes us feel separate from Love. As we open to love, naturally, we effortlessy feel connected, feeling our oneness with God, and with each other.”
See also: Kathy Singing One With It All (YouTube video)
 

 
Kathy’s musical tastes and recordings are multi-genre, ranging from inspirational to folk, celtic, jazz, chant, and world music. Her music is downloaded from iTunes to every corner of the planet.

A prolific songwriter, she is currently recording her 11th CD in Medford, OR.

Kathy’s songs have been featured by such luminaries as Byron Katie, Greg Braden, Adyashanti, and countless others. She has co-facilitated and shared her music at retreats with Barbara-Marx Hubbard, Gangaji, Mary Manin-Morrisey, Wendy Craig-Purcell, Michael Moran, Gary Zukav, James Twyman, and many other spiritual teachers, authors and ministers.

She’s opened for Christopher Cross at a benefit for the Dream Foundation and headlines a concert at the Woman Arising conference in Sedona, AZ featuring Lindsey Wagner in October 2011. Kathy is most deeply honored to regularly sing in the presence of spiritual leader (and Kathy’s teacher) Her Holiness Mata Amritanandamayi, the Hugging Saint.
See also: www.amma.org

Kathy’s CD Journey Home was voted by Amazon.com in the top ten CD’s in the world music catagory for 2002. Her CD Return To Love was in the top 50 most played lists on NAV’s radio play list.

Her 10th album, One Incredible Life is a collection of original songs that display Kathy’s skillful and inspiring song-writing abilities, her soulful and powerful vocals, masterful piano playing and her capacity to truly transmit consciousness through music. The album was described by music reviewer Steve Ryals as, “Her best work to date (which is really saying something!), One Incredible Life is a celebration of the moment in all it’s infinite fullness. For fans of Kathy’s music as well as those inspired by open hearts, One Incredible Life is a must have.”
See also: Full Description of Kathy’s Music Catalog
 

 
SPIRITUAL PATH
Kathy has been interested in the study of world religions for the past 25 years and enjoys deepening her practice as she finishes her Interfaith Seminary studies based out of New York. The program involves an in-depth study of all the major religions as well as acquiring and/or refining skills in public speaking, writing, administration, performance of marriage and memorial services, developing a musical ministry, and deepening in a variety of meditation and prayer practices.

She is very excited putting her studies into practice by leading a regular Interfaith Ministry with Rev. Lynn Fritz on the first Wednesday evening of each month in Redding, CA (beginning October 2011).

“It’s a deeply enriching and inspiring journey, choosing to develop this interfaith approach,” Kathy confides. ”I have been drawn to the teachings of a number of paths, and appreciate being able to weave what I’ve found to be most profound and helpful into my talks and music. The Dalai Lama puts it well when he says,

‘If our behavior follows our kind and loving nature, then, quite naturally, immense benefits will result, not only for oneself but also for the society to which we belong. I generally qualify this love and affection as a universal religion. Everyone needs it, believers as much as non-believers.’

“Fortunately, music is something that is universally appealing and most inspiring when it invokes our innately kind and loving nature. The lyrics I write are with this intention.”

Kathy has dedicated her life to living wakefully and supporting others in their process of healing, opening, and becoming more conscious. She has journeyed to India five times and spent months there committed to her spiritual growth through the practices of meditation, chanting, study of scripture, and selfless service. She spent a year at Breitenbush Hot Springs in Oregon serving as an “Artist-in-Residence” offering weekly concerts to retreatants, chanting programs, meditation instruction, and yoga.
 

 
EDUCATION / CAREER
Kathy began her musical career at the age of four, auditioning for a private sing and dance nursery school in Baltimore, MD and becoming the lead singer for a show presented on television, at festivals, and for dignitaries such as the Governor. Kathy went on to become the youngest piano student accepted at the University of Florida at 13-years-old. She graduated Summa Cum Laude in Music and Psychology.

Kathy began her professional recording career in 1989 with her debut CD Heart Space. She has released 9 more CD’s on her own independent label Precious Music.

She has volunteered in prisons teaching classes and sharing music, worked with abused children, given many music programs for teens at private therapeutic boarding schools, and has been the guest speaker and guest musical artist at hundreds of spiritual centers for the last twenty years.

She has also supported numerous charitable works through benefit concerts to build homes for the homeless, rehabilitate sex workers, grant last wishes for those with terminal illness, and meals-on-wheels.

”So much has happened over the last few years; so many experiences which have inspired deep growth and evolution,” says Kathy. “My songs document my journey, but really the journey we are all taking, as we navigate our way through this life and discover how to stay open to it all, to open more, and to blossom into the fullest expression of who we are. I am so full of gratitude and feel so delighted to share a new collection of songs...they embody transformation and transmit something very supportive and uplifting.”

Kathy makes her home in Mt. Shasta, California.