A little while back I followed Shay Nichols (recording artist, sound healer, performer, and teacher), Dr. Thomas Sherry (Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Tulane University), and some wonderful musicians through the swamps of Louisiana, filming. Shay was in New Orleans through an artist residency at A Studio in the Woods to start up the Natural Music Institute.The Institute, in her own words, “explores music as a tool of connection, giving voice to the earth in all of its diverse beauty, and helping people feel more connected to the natural environment in which they live.” Since the Louisiana wetlands are one of the most threatened ecosystems in all of the US, it seemed like a good place to start.
Here is one of the videos I filmed (go check out the Natural Music Institute site as well, it is worth it):
Martin Masakowski making magic: