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Level 1 Kirtan Training

Launch Your Home Chant Practice

Our Level 1 Kirtan training is the perfect jumpstart if you’re looking for fun and practical guidance to launch your own Sacred Chant practice. In this beginner Kirtan course, you will learn to chant and play on harmonium (or piano/keyboard) seven beautiful chants from top Kirtan artists like Krishna Das and Snatam Kaur, as well as receive real-time guidance from expert instructor Mike Cohen. Plus, gain immediate access to your own supportive Kirtan community!

This training is perfect for you, even if...

- You have never played an instrument before

- You believe that you don’t have a “beautiful” singing voice 

- You played music long ago and struggled to become proficient on your own

- You’ve tried to learn Kirtan elsewhere, but it just didn’t click

- You don't know how to read or understand Western Music (and don't want to be required to do so)

- Indian Classical Music and/or Sargam goes way over your head

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Learn Your First Sacred Chants!

 

Level 1 Training Details: 

In this foundational training program, Mike shares our easy-to-use methodology you so you can launch your own home chant practice. Learn seven exquisite chants while building a strong understanding for how to engage in the art of Kirtan.

 

What You’ll Receive:

- Repertoire of seven beautiful chants to practice at home, or even share with others

- Knowledge of how to play basic harmonium chords while chanting songs/mantras you love

- Connection with a vibrant community of kindred spirits

- Basic conceptual understanding of Kirtan and music

- Energetic understanding of mantras and deities

- Inspiring stories from Mike's 20 years experience with the practice of Kirtan 

- A way to build an intimate relationship with Source

- A structure for creating and nurturing your daily chant practice

- A way to connect your voice to your heart  and deepen your personal path of devotion

- Fun and inspiration from stepping into this amazing practice!

 

Learn the Art of Sacred Chant through our Proven and User-Friendly Method

Join an Upcoming Level 1 Training

Level 1 Online

Learning Kirtan online can be fun and easy when done with proper support. Our group online training structure ensures a hands-on, comprehensive learning experience for all students through high-quality and easy-to-understand lessons, as well as ample amounts of clear guidance and helpful resources. 

Here's how our GROUP online classes work

  1. The module opens
  2. You work with the chant sheet and teaching videos
  3. We convene at the end of the week for an optional Zoom call to review and practice the chant

If you can't make the Zoom call, you can access a recording of it (and all of the course materials) in the course 24/7 with lifetime access. This means you can take the course in real time as it rolls out, or you can customize this program to meet your unique needs and timeframe. Course alumni are invited to repeat the class once (if they wish) FREE of charge. 

Online Learning Modalities:

- Detailed chant sheets for seven different songs including links to listen to the songs, written melody notes and guidance on exactly which fingers and notes to use to play the chords

- Multidimensional Kirtan Instruction: two instructional videos each week will outline the meaning of the song, show chant breakdowns and demonstrations, and lead you in guided practice

- Optional weekly Zoom calls to connect, review, practice, and explore questions with Mike, guest vocal instructor Dawnia Dresser and your peers

- Facebook group to build community within your training cohort and course alumni

- Assigned buddies and dedicated time to practice together during weekly Zoom calls to provide support and encouragement

- Voice training with KLI instructor Dawnia Dresser

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Level 1 Live Intensives

Level 1 Kirtan group training intensives are for everyone! This two-day live training program (held in Boulder, CO) is perfect for beginning Sacred Chant fans who want to learn how to launch their home chant practice with a group of kindred spirits. No harmonium? No worries. We can rent you one for the duration of the program. 

 

 What You’ll Receive:

- Eleven hours of hands-on training and instruction with Mike Cohen, a vocal instructor and a percussion instructor

- Detailed chant sheets for the seven chants we learn during the intensive

- Rhythm workshop with a professional percussion instructor

- Vocal workshop with professional voice instructor, Dawnia Dresserd

- Free admission to the Kirtan leader potluck and jam session

- Free admission to Mike Cohen + The Shakti Groove concert

- Lunch for the duration of your stay

- Community of devoted Kirtan leaders and our warm, caring KLI staff

- Did you know we have a  limited number of very affordable onsite guest rooms at Nyland Co-Housing, where the training is held?

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Students Singing Our Praises

"Mike's teaching style makes it incredibly accessible for even non-musicians to progress.

The repertoire is diverse, soul-inspiring, and beautiful, and Mike does a great job at helping students understand the meaning of the mantras. I feel so blessed to have learned a new skill so quickly.

I cannot wait to take another class!"

Bria Scheker, Level 1 KLI Student

Bria Scheker
Agile Program Leader and Coach, Yogi

"I absolutely loved this course! Mike's teaching style is fantastic. He made learning each chant fun and easy to follow, even for those who have no musical background.

His experience, knowledge and personality added so much more depth to the experience. The optional weekly live zoom sessions, which were recorded if unable to attend, were an added bonus. Thank you Mike!"

Julie Jonuska, Level 1 KLI Student

Julie Jonuska
Certified Yoga Instructor

Ready to Start Chanting?

Sign up for our next training 

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Meet Mike Cohen

Mike Cohen, MA is founder of Kirtan Leader Institute. Since 2010 he has trained and apprenticed thousands of aspiring and emerging Kirtan Leaders across the globe, from total beginners to dozens he has guided to create/release Kirtan albums, play at festivals and tour nationally.

A life-long musician with two decades experience developing and coaching leaders, Mike has created a curriculum that supports total newbies in quickly and easily learning to play chants from their favorite Kirtan artists (like Krishna Das and Snatam Kaur) without needing to understand or learn Western or Indian Classical music (Sargam). Training for advanced students expands beyond Musicianship into important domains such as Psycho-Spiritual Leadership, Community Building, Entrepreneurship, and Minimizing Spiritual Bypassing. Advanced training is rooted in the principles of Waking Up (Spiritual Practice), Growing Up (Psychological Practice), Cleaning Up (Shadow Work) and Opening Up (Multiple Intelligences) so we can Show Up fully; and includes teachings and practices from discourses such as Somatics, the Enneagram of Personality, Integral Theory, Ontology, Integral Unfolding, the Dattatreya lineage of Sri Kaleshwar, and more.

Mike has released four critically-acclaimed full length Kirtan albums, the most recent two with Grammy Award-nominated producer Ben Leinbach (Jai Uttal, Krishna Das, Deva Premal). Mike has articulated a cutting edge Integral Approach to Kirtan and is in the process of writing and sharing this rich body of material.

For well over a decade, Mike has toured North America, offering accessible and potent Kirtan events in yoga studios, healing centers and at yoga/chant festivals. In 2014 he had the honor of opening up for Krishna Das at Bhakti Fest Midwest. Mike lives in Boulder, CO where he leads Kirtan and trains Kirtan Leaders to share the exquisite practice of sacred chant. More at www.KirtanLeader.com

Meet Mike Cohen

Mike Cohen, MA is founder of Kirtan Leader Institute. Since 2010 he has trained and apprenticed thousands of Kirtan Leaders across the globe, from total beginners to dozens he has guided to create/release Kirtan albums, play at festivals and tour nationally.

More Questions?

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