Monica
@phoenixrisingmusic
San Francisco, CA USA
Joined Nov 11, 2010
“Despite the stereotypes that surround musical categories like New Age and Contemporary, Phoenix Rising encapsulates a very broad range of styles and motivations indeed. Phoenix Rising out of the Bay Area brings us a neo-classical, lyrical style that is both haunting and refreshing for its very defiance of stereotypes. Beautifully recorded, their latest release Ascension has as much to do with Lisa Gerrard and Penguin Cafe Orchestra as it does with Deuter and Enya.”- (Iguhuaran, MusicZeitgeist.com) Phoenix Rising is comprised of Wendy Loomis (composer/pianist), Monica Williams (Traditional and World Flutes), and one rotating guest artist on instruments such as hang drum, cello, guitar, guzheng, tabla, or vocals. They incorporate their large collection of ethnic flutes and percussion instruments from all over the world, making Phoenix Rising one of the most innovative and versatile ensembles in the Bay Area. India's bamboo bansuri flute is hardly a jazz instrument, but that doesn't stop Wendy Loomis from writing original jazz pieces for bansuri and piano. Phoenix Rising combines aspects of new age, world, classical, and jazz styles into their music bringing magnificent scenes capes of light and energy to audiences of all demographics.
In 2009 Phoenix Rising was nominated for ‘best acoustic album’ by the LA Music Awards, ‘best new age’ and ‘best classical album’ by the Hollywood Music in Media Awards, and was a finalist in the Unisong International Competition. They are also on the Offical 2009 Grammy Ballot for ‘best new age artist’ Their music can be heard on 100s of analog, internet and satellite programs nationally and internationally. In February, ‘Ascension’ topped the charts, according to Zone Reporters, and it is still in the top 100 charts 9 months after the releas. Zone Reporter is the Industry Source for New Age, World, Ambient, Electronic, Solo Piano, Relaxation, Instrumental and many other genres of music.
The variety of music Phoenix Rising brings to the table has enabled them to perform at street festivals, concert halls, galleries, and clubs all over the United States. Some of their tours stops include San Francisco, Los Angeles, London, Austin, Nashville, Monterey, San Diego, Boston, and New York. Some of thier upcoming performances include Eastman School of Music’s Women in Music Festival, Petrovac Jazz Festival in Montenegro, Dynamic Yoga Festival in Spain, and Midtown Yoga Festival in Minneapolis, MN. A complete list of past performances can be seen on thier calendar page.
In addition to performing Wendy and Monica teach piano and flute at various schools and private studios throughout the Bay Area. Phoenix Rising also presents workshops on Native American flutes and drums to private and public events. Both musicians share a passion for not only creating music, but sharing their knowledge with the young and the young at heart.
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