Couples’ Romantic Getaway: March

David Gonzalez (A Good Boat)

David Gonzalez is a professional storyteller, poet, playwright, musician and public speaker. He is a cultural ambassador for the U.S. State Department, and is the proud recipient of the International Performing Arts for Youth “Lifetime Achievement Award for Sustained Excellence“. David was named a Fellow of the Joseph Campbell Foundation and was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for “Unique Theatrical Experience” for The Frog Bride. He was the host of New York Kids on WNYC for eight seasons. His poetry has been featured at Lincoln Center’s Out-of-Doors Festival, Bill Moyers’ documentary Fooling with Words on PBS, and NPR’s All Things Considered. David was a featured performer at the National Storytelling Festival and received his doctorate from New York University’s School of Education. Mr. Gonzalez is bi-lingual and is the Artistic Director for the Crisalida Communications, a company that consults on arts outreach to theaters and community organizations. David has been performing for audiences at Mohonk for over 30 years. For additional information, visit www.davidgonzalez.com and www.crisalidacom.com.

Steve Gorn (A Good Boat)

Steve Gorn is a Grammy winner, and five time Grammy nominee, and is creating a new idiom, a music that combines the essence of classical Indian tradition with a contemporary world music sensibility. The strength of this music arises from a virtuoso mastery, generating a vibrant fusion, alive and accessible to western ears. From Indian classical music to world music and jazz projects with Paul Simon, Jack DeJohnette, Paul Winter and others, Steve infuses great mastery with a haunting, lyrical sweetness to bring the healing breath of the sacred to our demanding contemporary lives.

Harvey Sorgen (A Good Boat)

Harvey Sorgen is a drummer, percussionist, educator, and composer. He has worked with such artists as Bob Weir, Greg Allman, Levon Helm, Garth Hudson, Phil Lesh, Karl Berger, Paul Simon, and Carlos Santana, as well as many others. He has written and performed pieces for film and the stage, including a solo percussion piece for the New Day Repertoire Theater’s version of “Antigone”. He finds great joy in giving workshops around the world in jazz ensembles, improvisation, percussion master classes, and audio production. He has also been involved in many recording projects as an engineer and editor. His first instructional DVD “Drumming Made Easy” is currently available worldwide from Homespun Tapes Inc.

Circle Creative Collective

Circle Creative Collective is a local community organization of artists and makers that aims to connect and inspire diverse groups by sharing and preserving traditional crafts and skills. With a specific focus on promoting crafts, skills, events, and transformative ideas to honor unique heritages and shared experiences, this collective pursues a more inclusive, creative, and joyous world. Their repertoire includes hands-on social multigenerational workshops drawing on traditional, multi-cultural, and sustainably-sourced crafts including papermaking, weaving, soap-making, felting, gardening, beekeeping, foraging, and many more! For more information, visit https://www.circlecreativecollective.org/.

Nina Smiley, Ph.D.

Dr. Nina Smiley graduated from Vassar College, and earned a doctoral degree in psychology from Princeton University. She is co-author of The Three Minute Meditator and the CD Mini-Meditations That Will Enhance Your Life. Nina taught psychology at the University of Maryland and worked at the American Psychological Association. She has studied mindfulness with Jack Kornfield (founder of Spirit Rock Meditation Center), Sharon Salzberg (co-founder of Insight Meditation Society), and others. Nina’s work has been featured in O, the Oprah Magazine, Real Simple, Shape, Self and Marie Claire. She delights in sharing insights about mindfulness meditation and wellness.

Puja A. J. Thomson

Puja A. J. Thomson brings a wealth of experience from three decades as a therapist and celebrant, officiating weddings throughout the Hudson Valley, including many at Mohonk. Puja enjoys guiding couples to create personal ceremonies to reflect their shared commitments to each other. As workshop leader, author, and minister of the Healing Light Center Church, she incorporates meditation & spiritual practices from many traditions as well as from her own life experiences in Europe, India, and the USA. She is Director of ROOTS & WINGS in New Paltz, NY. Her books include Track Your Truth: Discover Your Authentic Self, After Shock: From Cancer Diagnosis to Healing, and other holistic health and wellness titles, available at www.rootsnwings.com. Her charming Scottish accent adds a special touch to our romantic couples’ weekend!