About Me
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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".
Madalsa plays several instruments such as piano/
harmonium, guitar and the tanpoora, which she is pictured
playing.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. (For more details Madalsa’s website)
