Jody Kessler
Singer-Songwriter
I was already in my late thirties when I realized what I wanted to be when I grew up. I remember the very moment when it flashed like neon across my mind. I was on the treadmill at the gym, ruminating about my future, and I heard a resonant voice within me say, “Jody, when you are on your death bed, reflecting upon all the choices you made in your life, do you want to look back with regret and wonder ‘why didn’t I do the thing I REALLY wanted to do?’ ”
It was the fall of 1995, and that question catapulted me into a leap of faith from my head into my heart. I left my day job as a schoolteacher and took a head-first dive into the career I’d always dreamed of: singer-songwriter, touring musician, and recording artist. I made up for lost time by recording 4 CDs of original music in 7 years.
Performing mainly as a solo artist, I travelled throughout the US, sharing my music in coffeehouses, nightclubs, churches, festivals, concert series, house concerts, and more. I did not get rich doing this. But I was living my dream, and I loved it.
In addition to my passion for music, another thread that ran through my life over the years was my dedication to yoga and meditation practice. As my spiritual life deepened and blossomed, my songs reflected that inner transformation. I was invited to perform music for church services, retreat centers (including the world-renowned Omega Institute and Kripalu Center), and I began to find my niche in these spiritually-focused venues. This was a whole lot more fun than playing in bars! I began leading worship services and personal growth workshops, weaving music together with the wisdom of inspirational teachers. I started hearing people refer to my work as a music ministry, which led me to the next phase of my journey.
I realized that my calling was bigger than being a performer. My songwriting was part of a larger life work. I enrolled in The New Seminary for Interfaith Studies in New York City, and in 2004, after two years of study and contemplative practice, I was ordained as an Interfaith Minister.