Sara Auster is a New York City–based sound therapist and meditation teacher. Sara has travelled the world to facilitate immersive Sound Bath experiences using the transformative power of sound and deep listening. From the boardrooms of Google to the galleries of MoMA, from hotels to hospitals, grade schools to Madison Square Garden, her work has been a driving force in bringing Sound Baths to modern culture. Sara’s thoughtfully crafted experiences allow sound to be used as a tool to invite meditative states, support self-inquiry and cultivate deep relaxation. She is a thought leader on how to inspire meaningful connection through listening.

Sara Auster is changing the way the world is engaging with sound and the act of listening.  As a sound therapist, meditation teacher, and artist, she has been a driving force in bringing Sound Baths to contemporary culture.  Using a holistic approach to well-being with the transformative power of music and sound, her carefully crafted experiences allow sound to be used as a tool to access meditative states, support self-inquiry, cultivate deep relaxation, and inspire meaningful connection and change. 

At the age of twenty-three, Sara was working full-time as an artist and musician in her New York City studio when the floor collapsed leaving her back broken in 4 places and temporarily paralyzed. Her physicians at the time told Sara she would live a life of chronic pain, limited mobility, and prescription drugs. This diagnosis led Sara to embark on a journey of recovery from physical and emotional trauma. By way of this healing process, she created a uniquely approachable method based on over a decade of study in psychoacoustics, yoga and meditation, and a lifetime of experience in music and art. 

In 2014 Sara co-created the Mindful Music + Sound Series at Tibet House, and began to serve on their associate board. This experience inspired Sara to expand her sound offerings to more cultural institutions and public spaces eventually leading her to curate and facilitate unique, site specific sound bath experiences, for up to 10,000 people at a time, in iconic venues such as: The Museum of Modern Art, Madison Square Garden, Palais de Tokyo, Lincoln Center, One World Observatory, The Rubin Museum and SummerStage in Central Park.

Sara’s work in making meditation and Sound Baths accessible to all, has gained her recognition as a leading voice in the wellness movement. She has been invited to speak about mindfulness and sound for companies such as Google, Microsoft and American Express.  Her work has been featured in several global media outlets including: The New York Times, Time Magazine, Vice, Quartz and Billboard Magazine and was named a top meditation by Oprah Magazine in 2016. Sara has lead immersive workshops and certificate trainings at NYU, Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, The New York Open Center, The Rubin Museum, and MNDFL.

Through Sound Baths, sound meditation, community events, education and corporate mindfulness training, Sara facilitates mindful and immersive experiences that allow participants access to improved focus, expansive creativity, and deep human connection through listening.  

Coach Reed is Founder of Raising Excellence, which trains coaches, educators, and sport leaders through digital learning, live training symposia, and custom-built education and certification systems. His clients range from grassroots to National Governing Bodies, and  he provides curriculum support, coach development resources, and assists with the deployment large scale education, certification, and training through videos, workshops, and mentor programs to thousands of coaches across North America.

 He is also the Co-Creator of Positive Discipline Tools for Coaches with Dr. Jane Nelsen, which are focused on empowering coaches to implement social emotional learning and behavioral collaboration methods in coaching, and he is Co-Founder of Coaches REALM, a coach-mentoring and development platform focused on helping coaches create and execute a long-term personal and professional development plan to holistically hone and refine their craft through a proprietary 1 on 1 mentoring and accountability process.

Since the release of his 2015 TEDx Talk “Echoes Beyond the Game”, he’s become a regular guest on radio shows, podcasts, and TV programs across the globe and a highly regarded public speaker known for his dynamic, insightful, and compelling presentations.

Founder Raising Excellence

Co-Creator, Positive Discipline Tools for Coaches

Coach Mentor, Join The Coaches REALM



"I Develop Leaders Who Transform Lives - By equipping those who influence our children with the tools, skills, and knowledge necessary to leave a positive legacy, I help ensure we are #RaisingExcellence in Every Child. Every Day."

Coach Reed is Founder of Raising Excellence, a coaching development company that trains coaches, educators, and sport leaders by providing the tools, skills, and knowledge necessary for unlocking individual, everyday excellence in every child.

Coach Reed is also the co-creator of Positive Discipline Tools for Coaches with Dr. Jane Nelsen, and Co-founder Coaches REALM, a coach mentoring and development platform focused on helping coaches create and execute a long-term personal and professional development plan.

With 30 years of experience as an educator/coach and Masters’ degrees in both Sport Psychology and Early Childhood Education, Reed offers a wealth of practical and science-based experience to provide real solutions to the issues we face in youth sports today.

Since the release of his TEDx talk “Echoes Beyond the Game”, he has become a trusted educator and advisor to sports organizations worldwide. Reed’s unique gifts are creating passion and purpose in others and distilling complex theories into understandable and easily implementable practices.

I develop leaders who transform lives.

D   E   N   N   I   S

D   I   K   E   N

DRUMMER /PRODUCER

with

T H E   S M I T H E R E E N S

SPECIAL GUEST on

INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS

with RAY SHASHO

Founded in New Jersey in 1980, The Smithereens have been creating electrifying, original rock’n’roll for 39 years. Jim Babjak (guitar,) Dennis Diken (drums,) and Mike Mesaros (bass) grew up together in Carteret and lead singer, the late Pat DiNizio, hailed from Scotch Plains. The band paid its dues in clubs all over the NYC tri-state area from Kenny’s Castaways in Greenwich Village to the Court Tavern and Stone Pony in NJ. As The Smithereens’ fame escalated, they were in heavy rotation on MTV and appeared on The Tonight Show, Conan O'Brien, and Saturday Night Live. They’ve since performed on stages coast to coast from the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles to the Meadowlands Arena in NJ to Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan, and internationally from Europe to Australia. Tour mates have included Tom Petty, Squeeze, The Pretenders, Lou Reed, and Ramones, among others.

​The Smithereens’ take no prisoners sound, reflecting their Garden State roots, has resonated with fans worldwide over the course of 17 albums and 2500+ live shows. Their most recent release, COVERS, features 22 of the bands favorite songs first recorded by other artists. They've also inspired generations of musicians, including Kurt Cobain, who counted The Smithereens as a major influence on Nirvana.



And with the 2017 passing of Pat DiNizio, the surviving members have decided to persevere and carry on their shared musical legacy. Using guest vocalists including Robin Wilson of the Gin Blossoms and Marshall Crenshaw, they continue to entertain and rock fans all over the U.S. and the world!  

Purchase the most recent album from The Smithereens entitled ‘Covers’ at amazon.com

C O V E R S 

BY THE SMITHEREENS

TRACK LISTING

1. The Game of Love (Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders)
2. The Slider (T. Rex)
3. Ruler of My Heart (Irma Thomas)
4. Wooly Bully (Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs)
5. Let’s Talk About Us (Otis Blackwell)
6. Girl Don’t Tell Me (Beach Boys)
7. Up In Heaven (The Clash)
8. Time Won’t Let Me (The Outsiders)
9. Gloomy Sunday (Billie Holiday)
10. Yer Blues (Beatles)
11. One After 909 (Beatles)
12. I Want to Tell You (Beatles)
13. It Don’t Come Easy (Ringo Starr)
14. Well Alright (Live) (Buddy Holly)
15. Rosie Won’t You Please Come Home (The Kinks)
16. World Keeps Going ‘Round (The Kinks)
17. Downbound Train (Bruce Springsteen)
18. The Seeker (The Who)
19. Something Stupid (Frank and Nancy Sinatra)
20. Lust for Life (Iggy Pop)
21. The Stroll (The Diamonds)
22. Shakin’ All Over (Johnny Kidd and the Pirates)

UPCOMING SHOWS

19 Sat Oct

THE SMITHEREENS w/MARSHALL CRENSHAW in Pawling NY

Daryl's House Club

26 Sat Oct

THE SMITHEREENS: A NEW JERSEY HALL OF FAME CELEBRATION AT THE STONE PONY

The Stone Pony

27 Sun Oct

THE SMITHEREENS NJ HALL OF FAME INDUCTION

Asbury Park Convention Hall

01 Fri Nov

THE SMITHEREENS w/MARSHALL CRENSHAW in Natick, MA

The Center For Arts In Natick

02 Sat Nov

THE SMITHEREENS w/MARSHALL CRENSHAW in East Greenwich, RI

The Greenwich Odeum

15 Fri Nov

THE SMITHEREENS w/MARSHALL CRENSHAW in Port Washington, NY

Jeanne Rimsky Theater

30 Sat Nov

THE SMITHEREENS w/MARSHALL CRENSHAW in Tarrytown, NY

Tarrytown Music Hall

 20 Fri Dec

THE SMITHEREENS w/MARSHALL CRENSHAW in Scituate, MA

River Club Music Hall

18 Sat Jan

THE SMITHEREENS w/ROBIN WILSON in New York City

Sony Hall

07 Sat Mar

THE SMITHEREENS w/MARSHALL CRENSHAW in West Long Branch, NJ

A less than ideal childhood ultimately prepared Karen Sherbut for the role of her life as a role model, mentor, and humanitarian. In this capacity she provides what she so desperately had once needed; ultimately improving the lives of many young women, their families, and loved ones. Karen’s dream of providing for homeless girls came to fruition in 1996, when alongside her husband John, founded Safe Haven Foundation of Canada. Volunteering at the helm of the Foundation, Karen’s steadfast commitment continues to shape a better and brighter future for all of us.

In addition, for the past 22 years, Karen has been employed as the Vice President of Marketing at Britgary Properties. In recent years, Karen’s expertise has expanded to include operations and strategic planning of some of the Britgary’s newest endeavours

Karen has stood and fought her way through every challenge life threw at her; turning her adversity into a fire that would go on to change the world. It was this passion that drove Karen and her husband John to start the Safe Haven Foundation of Canada. She has empowered not just the 80+ girls that have gone through the program, but impacted countless others as an inspiration, mentor and beacon of light in what can be a very dark world.

HENRY PRIEST

Henry Priest is a Educator, Motivator, Producer of film, TV and live events, actor, and Co-Founder and Festival Director of Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA) Film Festival.

Known for Veritas (2007) and Beyond the Mat (2013).

Having produced many film, TV and live events, Mr. Priests work has been showcased all over the world including some of the most prestigious film festivals as Festival De Cannes in France, Tribeca Film Festval in New York and AFI Fest in Los Angeles. Henry began his career in the film industry in 1989 when he was featured as an actor in Walt Disneys feature wrestling film titled Spooner, starring Robert Urich and Jane Kazmarik. The film called upon Henry’s knowledge of collegiate wrestling as he choreographed wrestling scenes for the production team.

Since then he has established himself as the go-to person to produce scenes that require Collegiate, Greco-Roman, or Freestyle wrestling. He has written, directed, choreographed, and cast wrestling scenes in international and national commercials for companies like Nike, Adidas, SBC Global and others. Henry recently served as a wrestling consultant to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). His film “Legendary,” stars WWE superstar John Cena, Oscar nominated actors Danny Glover and Particia Clarkson; Devon Gray and Tylor Posey. Early in his career Henry produced the awrd winning film titled UnderDog. The comedic wrestling film has been featured in the prestigious AFI Fest and in many festivals across the country including the Tribeca Film Festival in New York.

With the success of UnderDog, Henry received an award as an Outstanding Producer during the 2004 National Association of Latino Independent Producers Conference (NALIP) in February 2004. Recently, Henry Produced the wrestling Documentary titled Veritas. The story of NCAA All American wrestler John Trenge. His latest film titled American Identity received a standing ovation on closing night at Festval De Cannes in France, considered to be the most pretigious film festival in the world.

In November 2010 Mr. Priest served as executive Producer of the 44th Annual NWCA All-Star Wrestling Match. The event was broadcast in 40 million homes on the Big Ten Network in an effort to raise funds to save the Cal State Fullerton Wrestling team. Thanks to many supporters that participated in the event such as actor Billy Baldwin, UFC superstars Randy Couture, Uriah Faber, Hector Ramirez, Mark Munoz and the cast of the new wrestling movie Beyond the Mat, the event raised over $200,000 for the struggling program.

Henry also serves the industry as a film festival director of the Downtown Film Festival Los Angeles. With his knowledge of film in front and behind the camera Henry serves on the Screen Actors Guild Diversity Committees, nationally and locally. He serves on the advisory board of the Silverlake Film Festival, American Latino Film Festival and Skid Row Films. He is also the executive producer of National High School Coaches Associations Productions. Mr. Priest is an advocate for the arts. He is has been a guest speaker and panelist at events hosted by the Screen Actors Guild, Showbiz Expo Los Angeles, Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival and many other industry organizations.

He has appeared on radio shows on ESPN Radio, Radio Disney, KPFK Radio, 92.3fm and many more promoting his various films and events. He has also been featured on LATV, The Disney Channel, SiTV, TV Guide and many other TV spots. As an advocate for education Mr. Priest created and produced the Future Estrellas Young Latino Performers Conference, an event presented by The Walt Disney Company, Latin Heat Entertainment, Nostros and the Ricardo Montalban Foundation.

“Beyond the Mat,” releases early 2011 as part of Tribeca Film festivals All Access program. The film is edited by Academy Award winner Scott Conrad (Rocky, 1976) with the former Paramount Pictures senior marketing executive Susan Wrenn spearheading our marketing team. In her 20-year tenure at Paramount she constructed the campaigns for 300+ feature films, including for Titanic, Forrest Gump, Braveheart and Mission Impossible. Beyond the Mat stars Sara Fletcher, who is currently hosting her own TV show on Comedy Central titled Secret Girlfriend. You may have seen her in Maxim Magazine too! Also, Mark Hapka who plays one of the male leads, and is a regular on TV shows such as the Ghost Whisperers and Days of Our Lives. The lead actor John Wynn, was host of the hit TV show CD USA. Beyond the Mat also features UFC Hall of Fame member and World Wrestling Entertainment superstar Ken Shamrock and US Olympic Wrestling Champion and TNA Superstar Kurt Angle!