Anahata Bhakti is a collective of musicians and spiritual practitioners whose mission is to share the practice of Bhakti Yoga in the local and wider community as much as possible. Through kirtan, sacred song and chant, contemplation, and collaboration with other musicians and practitioners, our goal is to build heart-centered community and to inspire the sacred remembrance of the true nature of ourselves and all that is.
We tune to the sacred vibration of love and act as one in every effort we lead. We choose our words, songs, chants, and intentions carefully, weaving together ancient teachings and familiar lessons with rhythms and sounds old and new to create a musical experience of beauty, love, peace, and joy. We believe in the healing power of music, the transformative magic of invocation, and the clear pathway of the heart. We love our community, and cherish every chance we get to bring the beauty and power of that music to all beings.
Anahata Bhakti has offered kirtan several times at MYPATH Yoga Festival in Harrodsburg, KY, and we currently lead a monthly donation-based Community Kirtan at The Inner Warrior yoga studio in Louisville, KY. Check out the Upcoming Events page to find out when you can practice kirtan with us next!
ANAHATA BHAKTI
Emily Joan Smith (vocals + harmonium)Emily is a devotional singer, musician, yoga & meditation teacher, co-creator, and weaver of sacred space. She has been leading kirtan in the Louisville area since 2017 and is the founder of Anahata Bhakti. Read full bio here!
Barry Smith (guitar)Barry holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Industry from the University of Louisville School of Music, concentration in jazz guitar. He is a singer and multi-instrumentalist with 30 years of varied musical performance and genre experience. He particularly loves to play bluegrass mandolin and currently sings with the Louisville Chamber Choir under the direction of Dr. Kent Hatteberg. He has been supporting and playing kirtan with his wife Emily since 2017.
Charles Mitchell (vocals + keys + guitars)Charles is a songwriter focused on the leading edge of devotional music. His work centers on bringing the spirit of bhakti into diverse modern sounds, combining various traditional elements and forms into accessible chants and grooves. He draws heavily from global folk music, historical and traditional music, as well as modern genres such as rock, blues, metal, hip hop, trance, electronic, psychedelic, and pop. Charles is also a multi-instrumentalist, teacher, carpenter, and a devotee of love.
Charles Bingham (percussion + guitar)Charles attended Berklee College of Music and has been a drummer and percussionist for bands in both California and Kentucky. He enjoys playing a variety of styles including jazz, ska, reggae, world music, kirtan, and rockabilly. He has spent time as a drum, guitar, and rock school teacher for Oldham County school system. Charles was the founder and leader of the first reggae band in Kentucky. He has been playing kirtan with Emily and Barry since 2017.
Gabriella Gaona (vocals + percussion) Gabriella Gaona is a Yoga Teacher, Artist, Musican, Connector & Co-Creator. Gabriella is passionate about sharing all aspects of Yoga with as many people as possible. She first experienced chanting in her Yoga Teacher Training in SF, CA in 2016. Later that year she found the love of Kirtan at Eternal Health Yoga lead by Shelli Carpenter. She loved the way Shelli sang & how it made her feel comfortable singing as well. Gabriella became an avid Kirtan participant, she especially loves singing and dancing aspect. The most profound bliss she’s ever experienced has been through the vehicle of chanting the Maha Mantra. In 2018 Emily Smith asked her to help with response singing in her band. Although she was shy and lacking any sort of voice training, she was honored to be asked and decided to give it a go. At first it was nerve-racking, but she has since learned to absolutely love doing it. The practice of Bhakti Yoga & Kirtan has helped her with find her voice and overall self confidence. Gabriella sings with enthusiasm over anything, hoping to help people feel comfortable & to remind them that it doesn’t matter what you sound like— as long as it’s coming from the heart.
Gabriella is Co-Owner and Teacher at The Inner Warrior, a Donation-Based Yoga Studio in Louisville, KY. & Organizer of MYPATH Fest, a Bi-annual Yoga Festival at Terrapin Hill Farm in Harrodsburg, KY.
Thomas Orr Anderson (percussion + vocals)Thomas Orr Anderson is a physicist, musician, acoustical researcher, author, teacher, athlete, Nature-Lover, and Qi Gong instructor. Thomas holds bachelors and masters degrees in physics with a diverse scientific background, specializing in a broad range of domains including black holes, holographic science, and chaotic systems. For the last two decades, he has devotedly explored the magic of sound in countless domains, from university laboratories and integrative health facilities to indigenous dance ceremonies and ancient Maltese temples. His extensive studies in physics, music, and natural healing naturally combine into a great devotion to sound therapy, in which field he has established himself internationally as a renowned expert teacher. Professional Inspirer, Lover of Nature, Teacher of Teachers. https://thomasorranderson.com/