Behind the Scenes, Album release party

The afternoon of my album release party, I met with the members of Vayu—all of whom I consider my chosen family. We gathered at Denise and Ben’s home to rehearse and map out a loose “Run of Show” for the evening. My sister, Debbie Feiner, had come down from Southern Vermont to celebrate with me in New Jersey. I asked her to join us for the rehearsal, and she said, “I want to be glued to your hip the entire time I’m here!”

For a bit of background, Deb and I were quite literally joined at the hip back in summer camp. She was seven and I was nine when we were sent to a sleepaway camp so our mom could rest and recover from a serious strain of hepatitis. That summer, our grandparents traveled to Hawaii and sent us hula skirts, tiny bra tops, and leis to wear for parents’ weekend. We became known around camp as the “Fine Feiner Singing Sisters.”

Picture the two of us at the edge of the dock, dancing and singing for the entire camp—fearless, joyful, completely in sync. That was the beginning of my lifelong love affair with music. From being one half of the Singing Sisters to releasing an album of chants at the wise and wonderful age of 72, my musical journey continues.

When Deb and I arrived at rehearsal, I was overwhelmed with emotion. Every chant on the album was born out of a need—for healing, for manifesting, or both. To be surrounded by Denise, Ben, and Larry—all incredibly gifted musicians—was to be wrapped in a giant, loving hug. I felt their support, their deep respect, and their wholehearted willingness to co-create with me.

As I tried to express the gratitude that was flooding my heart, it all came pouring out. We sang, I cried, we sang again, and then we were all in tears. It was more than a rehearsal—it was a celebration of love, music, and the power of connection.