Jeannie Tschantz

Director of the Music Ministry

Jeannie is a founding member of Ananda and, as Director of the Music Ministry, she plans major musical events for guests and the community throughout the year. A gifted singer, harpist, and director, she has performed with Ananda groups around the United States and in Europe. She also has been instructing voice and harmonium for over 15 years.

Jeannie began working with Swami Kriyananda's music 25 years ago and was trained by him on how to use music to uplift the spirit. He has praised her sensitive understanding and ability with music. Today, she specializes in teaching people how to infuse God's energy and consciousness into their music, voice, and chanting. In addition to her own work with music, Jeannie is currently compiling an Internet library of Swami Kriyananda's music (he has composed 400 pieces), as well as his writings about music and singing. She and her storyteller husband, Tim, often perform delightfully entertaining evenings that weave together stories and the music of Swami Kriyananda.

Jeannie says:

"The harmonium workshop is great fun! If people are musical, they learn quickly and enjoy trying out all the chants. If they are brand new to the instrument, they receive plenty of instruction and positive support as they learn. Either way, there's lots of laughter.

“What I love most about teaching this workshop is that everyone leaves with a feeling of success. Technically, participants quickly learn the basics of harmonium playing, but more important, spiritually, they each acquire a tool that will support and deepen their devotional chanting practices for a lifetime."