Canadian Folk Singer/Song Writer - Laura Cram (Madalsa)
 Laura Cram’s Profile edited by Forever One Productions with Thomas Myspace Editor V4.4 (www.strikefile.com/myspace) Laura Cram, or Madalsa, as she is more commonly known, has been teaching professionally in Ottawa for over twenty years. She has been one of the leading Canadian pioneers in the fields of teaching yoga, meditation, Indian Classical Music, East Meets West Music, and the integration of a lifestyle that serves to enhance Canadian living. With respect to musical education and training, Madalsa was awarded a Canadian Council grant in 1987 to study/ perform in India with her music guru, Pt. Chandrakant Kapileshwari, who is in direct lineage of the renowned Kirana Gharana style of music. "He has also composed exquisite, original music which I teach and perform", she says. She also had the opportunity to study in India, during two trips to the Kullu Valley in the Himalayas. Reading and writing Hindi has proven to be very handy for her as she began with an interest in yoga/meditation, and while she was doing research on chanting, came across amazing poetry, which she has published, performs and teaches. "I felt it was my destiny, good fortune, and personal job to bring this to the West", she says. She also writes and performs her own music and defines her style as sort of Celtic Folk with Eastern influences -- very unique! Madalsa began teaching at the OCDSB over 13 years ago at Nepean/Rideau HS and currently teaches at several OCDSB schools in the General Interest Program. She is offering such courses as Simple Guitar Delight — Celtic Folk Music, Indian Classical Music — Experience it Yourself’ this Spring. (Please see pages 22 and 23 for descriptions of them all). "The varied classes I offer through the OCDSB give students a chance to explore for themselves all the beautiful aspects of a culturally rich background and philosophy of life", she says. "I love teaching those adults and/or children who come to class knowing or sensing they are embarking upon something very special. It is very rewarding for me when I can feel their joy. In fact some of my students have gone on to become successful teachers themselves. As my music teacher Chandrakant Kapileshwari once said to me - money you can share, and it may never come back to you, but knowledge shared always comes back to you multi-fold". Laura (Madalsa) plays several instruments such as piano/ harmonium, guitar and the tanpoora. She is also offering several yoga classes as well this Spring. Please see page 46 for the details of these classes at Nepean HS and Brookfield HS in the Learning for Life online booklet. Visit Laura Cram Website for more info: http://www.forever-one-productions.com/lauracram or http://www.madalsa.com
