About Kathleen Karlsen & Vocal Medicine
Kathleen Karlsen is a composer, writer, and artist exploring the powerful connections between sacred sound and symbols. She has been studying religious traditions, the impact of music and art, and the deeper mysteries of life since childhood. Kathleen has led over 750 musical events and workshops in recent years, focusing on sharing sacred music in Eastern and Western traditions.Â
Spiritual Path
Kathleen began attending a variety of spiritual conferences, churches, and religious organizations in her teens. She was first exposed to Eastern chanting while she was in college. Now one of her greatest joys is to create mantra experiences that are relatable and understandable in today’s world. She hopes that her ongoing research and personal experiences will inspire others to experiment for themselves with this unique form of spiritual practice.Â
Mantras & Kirtan
The singing of mantras as a group is called kirtan. Some define kirtan as chanting the names of God. Others view kirtan as a form of yoga. Kirtan is a growing phenomenon in the West, backed by scientific studies for the benefits of both meditation and group singing. Â Singing dissipates feelings of loneliness, increases dopamine and oxytocin and benefits the brain, body and spirit in multiple ways. Learn more in Everything About Kirtan.Â
Featured Videos
Watch nearly 400 videos on the Vocal Medicine Channel!
Writing and Education
Kathleen also shares her life experiences, research, and thoughts in nearly 200 published articles and well over 300 videos on YouTube. She is also the author of two books: Flower Symbols (2011) and Vocal Medicine (2019). Kathleen’s passion for sharing the transformative power of the arts continues to be the driving force in her life. A list of the dozens of articles included on this website can be found on our Site Map.Â
Academic Studies
Kathleen holds a bachelor’s degree in studio art and a master’s degree in humanities. Her graduate research culminated in her thesis The Color-Music Connection: Philosophical, Aesthetic and Scientific Perspectives. This 65-page document is available as a downloadable book (PDF). See Color-Music Connection (2001) under Books.
Education and Thesis
Kathleen has also completed a year of doctoral studies in adult education. She also holds numerous professional certifications in business management and a variety of alternative health modalities. More recently, Kathleen has completed three levels of training from the Kirtan Leadership Institute in Boulder, Colorado.
Voice Over and Narration Experience
Kathleen’s professional voice work includes training videos for companies with an international client base. Kathleen has narrated over 3,000 educational videos. Her clear, comforting voice leads the listener step-by-step through complex tasks. Kathleen has the ability to transform complex topics into an easy-to-understand narrative. Her goal is always to support, inform and uplift her audience.Â
About Kathleen's Artwork
Kathleen’s visionary art supports her work with sound and healing. She loves to depict the universe, the five elements, and other modern themes. Kathleen’s primary goal is to emphasize the exhilaration of being alive expressed in exuberant color. In the last decade, she has had over 70 exhibits of her colorful work. Her art is in private collections in over 20 states and 4 countries.
Associated Illustrators
Other artists associated with Vocal Medicine include Rose Karlsen and Sammy Ater. These talented illustrators work under Kathleen’s direction to illustrate the chakras, yantras, essential oil plants, sacred symbols, and deities of East and West. Kathleen uses these illustrations for her handouts and materials for workshops, vendor booths at festivals, and other events.
Kathleen Karlsen's Books
More Resources
YouTube Channel
Over 300 videos of music, mantras, stories, and information. Includes a free mantra course, symbolic art, and sacred music. Subscribe to explore sacred music for meditation, spiritual practice and transformation. Discover the connections between sacred geometry and music.Â
Natural Life News
Natural Life News features extensive archives of articles on numerous topics related to natural therapies, remedies, nutrition, fitness & more. Read Kathleen Karlsen’s published articles here.
Spotify
Explore music as medicine for body, mind and spirit! Experience singing as a spiritual practice through devotional chanting with Kathleen Karlsen. Listen to the Vocal Medicine album with supporting artists Andrew Karlsen, Paul Bohak & Mahima Giri. Add to your favorite playlist!
SoundCloud
SoundCloud is an online music streaming service that enables its users to upload, promote, and share audio. Find Kathleen’s album and other selected music here.
The wide open spaces and big skies in Montana lend themselves naturally to a spiritual path based on gratitude for nature and a sense of awe. Learn more about Mantras in Bozeman and come join us for an Event soon!
