FAQs
Have you ever been to Tibet/India/Nepal?
Yes. I just got back on July 5th, 2007 from 6 months in India and Nepal. I was studying at Sarah College of Higher Tibetan Studies and Tsenyid Dratsang (The Institute of Buddhist Dialectics) in Dharamsala, India and also spent a total of about one month in Nepal to create my new album, Phayul Shak Ne Dro: Leaving Home and to do some concerts. The big goal was to learn to speak Tibetan better and I think that I have improved. It was wonderful and I hope to go back soon. I also recently returned from three weeks in Tibet.
How did you learn Tibetan music? Who is your teacher?
Well, mostly I taught myself from watching music videos. Because of where I live, I don't have a teacher. Several people have been kind enough to teach me bits and pieces. One person taught me the basic notes, another gave me tips on how to strike the strings, and another gave constructive criticism on my singing style and so on. However, most of it I have to learn from music videos, CDs, that sort of thing. A lot of trial and error.
Are you Tibetan? Do you speak Tibetan?
No and yes. I am not Tibetan. I was born and raised in America and my family is Jewish. However I studied Tibetan at the University of Virginia and speak it with many of my friends. There is a fight about whether I am fluent. My teacher says I am fluent and he should know because he is listening. I say I am not fluent and I should know because I am speaking. You can judge for yourself. Apparently, I have a very strong Eastern Tibetan accent though.
Do you write your own compositions, or do you only play traditional music?
My Tibetan isn't good enough to write my own lyrics yet, so I have only written two compositions in Tibetan language and they are not on any CDs yet. However, my modern compositions, the music is mine and I wrote it myself. The lyrics, however, were written by friends. Mostly I play traditional, folk music. I play a bit of modern music, especially if I know the singer and can get their permission to perform. I am a very strong believer in copyrights. In concerts, I will often sing some modern music. I have permission from these singers to perform these songs, but you won't see them on my albums. If you want to have those songs on a CD, go out and buy some CDs by those singers! So far, my first CD, Kangri Dang Chethang: Mountains and Deserts was traditional. My new CD, Phayul Shak Ne Dro is half modern compositions similar in style to eastern Tibetan singers like Yadong and Kunga (or that's the attempt) and half traditional music from all across Tibet
Will you perform at an event in my community?
I would love to! Please contact me with your name and number. And please, if you call me, please leave your voice mail message in English!
Why Tibetan music? Why Jewish music?
Well, I answer "why Tibetan music" in my bio. But to make a long story short, I just love how it sounds and dramnyen as an instrument that I just picked up and felt at home with automatically. It clicked with me. As for Jewish music? That is the music of my heritage. Yiddish music is beautiful, emotional, whether it invokes joy, anger, or sadness. Sephardic tunes (Jewish music from the Middle East) is haunting with beautiful rhythms. I love it. I love emotional music, and Tibetan and Jewish music really hits on to the emotions. I have seen Jewish and Tibetan music bring people to huge grins and laughter and clapping, and also bring people to tears. It's what music should do.
Um, weird question, how often do you wear chupa?
Depends. I wear it for any concert, any Tibetan event, any time I go to a temple, and any other time when I need modest but beautiful clothing. So a couple of times a week. Up to a full week if I have lots of events. Record so far is 14 days straight.
GEEZ! How many chupas do you own???
19 at the moment Chances are that by the time this makes it up to the web I will have 20. They multiply in the closet like RABBITS! I swear, they breed. Either that or my closet has a magical portal in the back to "Chupa land." My life is weird as is, so I wouldn't be surprised.
Is that real fur on your Chupa?
No. It's fake. HH Dalai Lama has asked all the Tibetans to stop wearing ornamental furs, and I don't think I should consider myself, as a westerner, to be an exception.
What's this about you cutting your hair?
Well, by the time this makes it online, my hair (at the time of writing, nearly waist length) will quite possibly be gone. To be honest, I love long hair and I have wanted it since I was a little girl. This is why I have so many hair accessories, like extensions. However, during my stay in India 2 of my friends died of cancer, and my mother was diagnosed with it (her prognosis is very good.) Many people with cancer lose their hair during treatment and, especially for children, this can be traumatizing. There is a wonderful organization called "Locks for Love" that makes wigs, free of charge, for children who have lost their hair to cancer. I am cutting my hair and donating it to make a wig in memory of my friends and in prayers for my mother.
Do you have/can I call you by a Tibetan name?
Yes, I do have a Tibetan name, and if you ask me it, I will tell you. Generally, I go by Amalia. For one thing, my parents put a lot of thought into that name and I am quite happy with it. For another, I am not Tibetan. However, I understand that my name is very difficult to pronounce, including for other Americans. If you have trouble pronouncing my name or just feel uncomfortable using my English name, especially while speaking Tibetan, you can call me by my Tibetan name.