October Shelby Bottoms Sound Bath ft. Upright Bass & Harp

Join us for a rejuvenating Sound Bath Experience at Shelby Bottoms Nature Center, nestled in the heart of East Nashville's lush greenway. As the day winds down, immerse yourself in an evening of restorative sound led by John Paul, a certified professional sound healing practitioner.

This October Sound Bath features harpist and singer Karen Ballew for a very special collaboration of harp, upright bass, crystal singing bowls, and voice.

After rehearsing and developing the program together, John and Karen have created an experience that draws from both original healing music and centuries-old musical traditions. The evening will include original healing melodies composed by John Paul, woven together with Karen’s harp and singing.

Karen will also share Sean-nós singing, a beautiful and intimate tradition of unaccompanied Irish singing, performed in the Irish language, Gaeilge. She will sing “Bí Thusa ‘Mo Shúile” and “Dún do Shúil,” with the voice gently surrounded by crystal singing bowls, harp, and upright bass. There is something deeply timeless about these melodies—the combination feels as though it reaches backward into memory while creating something entirely new in the room.

The sound of harp, upright bass, crystal bowls, and the human voice together is simply magical. We hope this program will feel transportive: an invitation to step outside of ordinary time for an hour and enter a quieter, more spacious place.

Karen Ballew is a songwriter and harpist whose creative process is rooted in prayer, poetry, folk tradition, and the beauty of the natural world. She is particularly drawn to traditional music for its timeless themes, wisdom, and layers of memory. Her work has been inspired by Old Irish prayers, the Christian contemplative tradition, and musical traditions from around the world.

Karen studied Irish harp with Rebekah Passmore and continues to learn from harp and singing instructors through workshops and retreats. She teaches harp and singing through the Nashville Irish Music School and is the founder of Nashville's The Deer’s Cry collective, named for the Old Irish prayer St. Patrick’s Breastplate (Fáeth Fiada).

Surrounded by the natural beauty of Shelby Bottoms, you'll be invited to release stress, quiet the mind, and reconnect with your inner calm. The gentle chorus of birds, rustling leaves, and evening breezes naturally weaves together with the instruments, creating a meditation that feels both deeply rooted and effortlessly expansive.

Whether you're new to sound healing or a seasoned practitioner of mindfulness, this event offers a chance to slow down, return to simplicity, and experience what can arise through sustained sound and intentional presence. No experience is required—only a willingness to rest, reset, and restore.

What to Bring:

• Yoga mat or blanket — the floor is very hard at the Nature Center.
• Pillow or eye covering (optional)
• Water bottle
• Comfortable clothing

When should I arrive?

The sound bath begins at 4:00 PM. Please consider arriving 10–20 minutes early to give yourself plenty of time to get settled and prepared.

Accessibility Notice:

The Nature Center is wheelchair accessible. We currently offer the option to sit in chairs or lie on floor mats. We hope to introduce more accessible options, such as zero-gravity chairs, in the future.

Train Sounds & Natural Noise:

We’ve found that the occasional train and natural sounds from the surroundings become part of the unique experience at Shelby Bottoms. Open windows may also invite in the sounds of children playing, conversations in the park, birds singing, and the surrounding greenway.