MEET OUR MUSIC TEAM:
About our Team:
Todd Lowry has been the Music Director at Unity Spiritual Center since 1999. He has a Master's degree in composition, piano and voice and a rich background as a pianist, singer, arranger and songwriter. He has written 30 piano Instructional music books and 4,000 piano arrangements published by Hal Leonard. His songs have been published by Hal Leonard and Unity Worldwide Ministries. He has a song in the newly published, Empower songbook, All Together Now. He is the recipient of several New Mexico Music Awards, including an award in 2022.
Sharon Eldridge is an alumnus of Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. When at Berklee she became a member of an all-women’s jazz group which performed at both the Kansas City and New York City Women’s Jazz Festivals. As a private teacher, she wrote 2 drum method books, part of which were published in Modern Drummer Magazine. For 14 years she taught intermediate improv classes at the Outpost Performance Space in Albuquerque. Since moving to Albuquerque in 1990 she has performed with various groups, from Jazz and Latin to Country and R & B.
Joining us on 2nd and 4th Sundays, David Craig served as Music Minister at Unity of Huntington, NY, beginning in 2005. He also directed the adult choir and Men's Group for several years at Old First Reformed Church in Brooklyn, NY. A graduate of the conservatory of music at Brooklyn College, David taught music and piano to pre-K through 8th grade students. David has been a lifelong musician, has toured with many singing groups, with the USO tours, and was music director for cabaret shows in NYC. He and his wife, Kelly, moved to Albuquerque early in 2023 and David has since become a regular member of the USC ABQ Music Team on keyboards. He joins the team on 2nd and 4th Sundays.
Dianna Hughes performs with some of Albuquerque's finest musicians - Michael Anthony, Sid Fendley, Milo Jaramillo, Robert Lah, to name a few. She has graced the stage at Popejoy Hall on UNM campus and performed intimate house concerts. Her dedication to raising funds for homelessness finds her performing at numerous fund raisers and benefits to the great pleasure of those attending as well as her heart. And, Diana is a regular Guest Soloist at USC.
Bill Brooks has performed and traveled throughout Europe and the United States. He was most recently seen on Broadway in the Irish Rep.’s benefit concert of CAMELOT with Melissa Erico and Jeremy Irons at the Schubert Theatre. He has played a variety of roles including Che in EVITA, Gus/Growltiger in the Hamburg production of CATS, Tateh in RAGTIME, Zaza in LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, Old Soldier/Judge Roan in PARADE, and appeared Off-Broadway in DISAPPEARING ACT.
Bill was a 1998 Cabaret Fellow at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center in Waterford, CT and won a 2005 BACK STAGE BISTRO AWARD for “Best Musical Comedy Act” as co-creator, producer and performer in 3 TENORS IN SEARCH OF AN ACT! He has also directed and coached other performers including FOUR GALS SINGING and the debut duo act MAKE YOUR OWN PARTY.
In 2009, he released a demo CD entitled GRATEFUL and in 2015 he released his 2nd CD, BILL BROOKS LIVE AT UNITY OF NEW YORK recorded at Symphony Space in NYC. And now, Unity Spiritual Center Albuquerque is Blessed to have him as a regular soloist!
Mark Star began performing as a young boy singing door-to-door Christmas carols and performing in his school choir. He then ventured out to write and perform original songs, Improv with the Pacific Theatre of the Northwest and Musical Theatre. He has performed in the U.S. as well as Santiago,Chile, Costa Rica, Canada and Mexico. And., now joins us in Albuquerque, New Mexico where he sings for the NMGMC. He is a certified Yoga Instructor, Storyteller, Poet, Actor and Artist.
SACRED CHANTS, AN EVENING OF KIRTAN
We have had the joy of presenting a monthly evening of Kirtan in the Albuquerque community over the past decade. Its third incarnation was launched as SACRED CHANTS. We currently present our monthly Sacred Chants both in-person and on Facebook Live. Featuring musicians within the Unity community, local guests, and national touring artists, Sacred Chants events at USC celebrate the joyful and sacred practice of devotional chanting and the sacred songs from many spiritual traditions.
During these gatherings, mantra, music and meditation come together as a creative and timeless vocal spiritual practice. Members of the Kirtan Musicians leading the chants are: Todd Lowry (keyboards), Brian Griesmeyer (guitar), Martyne Backman (harmonium), Lesley Goddin (drums), Suzanne Taichert (harp).
Individuals participating create the opportunity to experience greater peace, personal transformation and insight. All are welcome and encouraged to sing, dance, and meditate as the energies unfold throughout the evening. No musical training or experience is required. It’s not about right notes, it’s about authentic spirit! We gather with the understanding that our open hearts and voices are an offering of love and devotion to the Divine and a blessing to all.
Feel free to bring your meditation cushion or yoga mat. Some back jack and regular seating will also be available. Doors will open 20 minutes prior to the event. Use main entrance unless you required special access due to special needs. Those individuals may enter via the south ADA accessible door. Your admission love offering helps us to cover expenses including the space.
Come and join us for the songs that express love, devotion, spiritual connection, mythological stories, oneness with God, and social connection and evoke a whole realm of emotions, engaging for the performers and the audience. There’s also room to move or dance to the singing.
Check our calendar and Events to see when the next Sacred Chants is coming. You can also get on the email list for updates or cancellations; to do so, email office@abqunity.org. At this time, events are scheduled on the last Friday of the month with occasional variation. Start time is 7:00 pm with the final closing by 8:30 pm. Most chants are presented in call and response fashion and lyrics will be projected on a screen. Love offering. September Sacred Chants is taking a break, please join us for our next Sacred Chants in October.
Unity Spiritual Center ABQ also holds occasional concerts. Check our Events for updates!