XUMANTRA is the creation of Marco Dolce, musician, sound healer, and teacher, internationally-acclaimed for his work with authentic Himalayan singing bowls, gongs, and other indigenous instruments from sacred sound traditions around the world. He has been hailed by critics as a modern pioneer and master of the contemporary uses of these miraculous instruments. His recordings have sold over 40,000 CDs and multi-millions of streams and downloads, and are in regular use worldwide by yoga practitioners, alternative healers, meditators, and spiritual seekers of all types. XUMANTRA recordings have garnered critical praise, industry awards, and are considered benchmarks of excellence in the genre of singing bowl music.
Marco graduated from Rutgers University where he studied music theory with New York composer Philip Corner, and jazz improvisation with the late, legendary guitarist Ted Dunbar. Afterwards, Marco spent many years as a journeyman guitarist, guitar teacher, songwriter, and bandleader, performing continually in local and European venues, and producing and releasing numerous recordings along the way. He also studied conga drumming and Afro-Cuban percussion at the Drummer’s Collective in New York City with Latin music great Bobby Sanabria.
In the early 1990s, Marco began the practice and study of sacred sound – the use of sound as a medium for healing and spiritual evolution – and was inspired to create new music using instruments from the world’s sacred sound traditions, notably, Himalayan singing bowls, gongs, and percussion and strings of all kinds.
For over 10 years, the focus of Marco’s sound healing work has been the Earth Gong Bath, a one-hour, therapeutic immersion in the sound of the Earth Gong. He developed a wide following in yoga studios and holistic venues throughout the New Jersey and New York area. Marco also offers private, one-on-one healing sessions with his set of antique, master-quality singing bowls.
Marco Dolce also founded the American Academy of Sound Healing where he teaches the principles of sound healing and the use of singing bowls and gongs for healing and spiritual practice. Many of Marco’s students have gone on to become working sound healers.
In addition to his musical background, Marco has spent decades of studies encompassing comparative religion, metaphysics, Native American shamanism, Tibetan Buddhism, orgone energy technology, and alternative medicine. He is a dedicated organic gardener and self-taught herbal healer.