The Handpan Podcast

Handpan Camp is a 5-day campout in the Pacific Northwest. Tune in to our group conversation as we revisit its inception, share highlights and anecdotes, and get a feel for the special energy that happens at a small handpan gathering. More at handpancamp.com.

Ron Kravitz is a notable figure in handpan history. As the sole Hang distributor in the US (2002-05) and then one of only two worldwide distributors (2005-07) Ron recounts untold stories and reveals secrets from the past. A must-listen for any old-timer, Hang-lover or anyone trying to make sense of PANArt's position towards the handpan community.

What if the magical effect of handpans could be explained? Sylvain and Mark explore the hidden patterns and the unseen structures of the instrument, going all the way back to the roots of the steel pan. A reintegration of both contemplation and enjoyment of handpans.

For Hang pioneer Steve Shehan, “the unexpected became a profession”. Hear from one of the world’s most recognized percussionists about what makes a fulfilled creative life, rich in experiences, adventures and relationships.

What does it take to make the handpan your career? Over the last few years, Dan Mulqueen has turned his hobby into work and he is now happily doing music full-time. An inspiring conversation about taking the next step, wherever you find yourself on that spectrum.

Part 2 is about Michael Barticel's story, which seems, could be a news headline or a movie plot: selling all his stuff to travel the world. But there's more to that story. I am privileged to dive into the reasons, struggles and lessons of Michael's life, and the role handpan played in it.

Unsure about his future Josh was looking for direction. The handpan helped defined a new path and began to change his life. From player to tuner to maker, hear the remarkable transformation story of Josh Rivera as he unveils his new handpan brand to the public: the Veritas Sound Sculpture.

Long-time Hang and handpan enthusiast Kevin Roddy shares the stories that have shaped his own journey with the instrument. In this episode, we learn about music therapy vs therapeutic music, hear examples of outrageous generosity and more.

Jaden Chavez is 16-years old and he's the first Gen Z guest on the podcast. For Jaden, the handpan is more than just a new hobby. It's helped him to come out of his shell and it's changed the trajectory of his life. A reinvigorating conversation about art, passion and life.

What motivates you to create? For Bill, it was the wake-up call of a cancer diagnosis combined with a deep desire to share his passion for music. In the midst of all this Bill discovered handpans.

Have you ever brought your handpan to work? That's what Mary Mosley does on a routine basis. As an educator, she uses the handpan in the classroom as a learning tool for her students. Speaking from her childhood, Mary talks about the unmatched power of creativity to help process difficulties.

The benefits of the handpan are many. But could this instrument become a stumbling block for us sometimes? Lewis Johnson shares his experience, with and without handpans. He helps us find balance and purpose in our approach to the handpan.

If Felix & Sabina of PANArt invented this art form, it was Kyle Cox of Pantheon Steel who launched the handpan era. On this episode of the podcast, Sylvain & Kyle revisit the inception of the Halo handpan and how it forever changed handpan history.

As an expat in the UK, Spyros was climbing the corporate ladder and living large but stress & anxiety led him to a dramatic burnout. Turning his life around brought him to a remote island where he slowly recovered. That's where he first heard about the Hang. In this episode, Spyros shares 10 years of lessons playing the handpan.

What's your heart's desire? That question is one Judith pondered all through her life. But when she encountered the handpan, the answer was clear. Listen to Judith share about "instrument and the community and the places you'll go and the people you'll meet and the thing you'll do" in this episode.

In part 2, Colin walks us through his discovery and development of hydroforming, a revolutionary process to shape handpan shells. He also re-visits the roots or the art form and reconnects with his first instrument, the cello.

Classically trained on the cello, Colin slowly grew weary of jumping through the hoops of institutionalized western music... but then he discovered the handpan and embarked on a journey that would dramatically change his everyday life.

Fascinating conversation with Dan Price about lifestyle design, consumerism and art. Known as the man who lives in the hobbit hole, Dan shares his handpan story and philosophy.

In this episode, Pierce Flynn draws parallels between making music on the handpan and surfing waves—both as improvisations, meditations, and sacred moments in his life.

Little did he know that while on a business trip to New York City his life would change forever. In this episode Victor Velazquez tells us what sparked his passion for the handpan and what keeps him going to gatherings year after year.

Voltaire wrote "perfect is the enemy of good". In this episode dedicated to handpan tuning, Josh Rivera explains why a perfectly tuned instrument may actually lack something good. It's a reminder of the free and artful work that goes into the making and tuning of handpans.

In this episode, Julia Dvorin encourages us to use this incredible tool we have, the handpan, to find joy and to bless others through times of trouble.

David had never played a handpan in person before he taught himself how to build one. This is a special conversation recorded live at the Samadhi Soundscapes workshop in Glasgow, Scotland.

As a child, Andi Steil wanted to play drums but his dad only gave him drumsticks. What seemed like a disappointment at first ended up turning into a creative explosion in his life.

Sylvain introduces the new handpan podcast and former host, David Gallaher, stops by to say hello. A new journey begins... 

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