| Sophia (Sande Hershman) was born in Philadelphia
in 1946, and her suburb upbringing did little to foster her innate
musicality. She was inspired by the protest and peace songs of
the early '60s, especially the music of Joan Baez, Bob
Dylan, Judy
Collins, and the songs of unity sung at the 1962 Martin
Luther King rally in Washington, D.C. At the earliest opportunity,
Sophia headed west to the hippie life of San Francisco. She was
a member of the One World Family Commune, which had a variety of
enterprises, from a newspaper to a bakery to a food stand in the
park. Here, she wrote protest songs.
In 1969, Sophia moved back
East, where she studied East Indian vocal technique and performed
with such artists as flautist Steve
Gorn and Constance
Demby and her experimental multimedia troupe, the Central Maine Power
Sound & Light. Back on the West Coast, she studied Tantric ritual ceremonies
and learned the movement and five-rhythm work with Gabrielle Roth and
spacemusic composer Raphael. Her first album, Roots
and Wings, was recorded with Raphael in 1978. Her property, called
Hidden Waters, became the name of her record label, and the property's creek
and wildlife the inspiration for some of her albums. Other themes of her songs
include feminine/goddess spirituality, earth-centered spirituality, Eastern/Western
chant forms, and a positive hope for the future. Frequent collaborators and
guest artists include Raphael (keyboards), Terri
Sternberg (violin), Warren Dennis (percussion), Teja
Bell (guitar), and Dallas Smith (saxophone). Though
Sophia still lives and records at her Carmel Valley paradise, some of her albums
are now available on the Ivory Moon Recordings label. ~ Carol Wright, All Music
Guide |
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