Reverend Zoya is a sound-healing practitioner, interfaith spiritual director, and ceremonialist. Using the transformative power of sacred sound, she supports healing in a natural way through toning, chanting, and medicine songs, accompanied by traditional instruments from around the world.

Born into a musical family (her Assyrian mother is a dumbek drummer of Middle Eastern music and her father was a jazz trumpeter), Zoya started piano lessons at an early age, later trying her hand at the cello, flute, guitar, uilleann pipes, and percussion instruments until she discovered and focused on the tonality and power of her voice. A coloratura soprano, she had many years of classical training with vocal coach, Ramona Rockway.

With a synthesis uniquely her own, Zoya combines musical inspirations from around the world with improvisational singing and offers songs from the heart with a musical foundation of Himalayan singing bowls, tambora, rattles, drums, and other sacred instruments. This ancient practice harnesses the energy of sound for transformation and healing and is an emerging modality in the field of integrative health. Zoya invites you to explore its effects on body, mind, and spirit.

In addition to her love of music, Zoya has been a life-long student of philosophy, anthropology, mythology, and world religions. Her spiritual journey has given her an appreciation of the richness and beauty of various paths, including Taoism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sufism, Christian Mysticism, and the Druidic and Native American traditions. She feels a strong connection to all our ancestors and a key part of her spiritual work gives them a voice through musical expression.

After over 35 years of working in the tech industry, it’s time for Zoya to shift her life’s work and service from her head to her heart.

Zoya is an ordained minister through the Center for Sacred Studies (convener of the International Council of the 13 Indigenous Grandmothers). In a nod to her own grandmother Sophie Georges, she has taken on the name of Zoya – an Assyrian word meaning “seed or offspring”. Sophie used to say to her grandchildren, “bobbie, yimee, zoya”, meaning my mother and father live on through you. Zoya is certified in Okazaki Restorative Massage and recieved the 1000-arm Chenrezig Empowerment, given by Ven. Sharpa Choeje Rinpoche, in 2009. She currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband of over 35 years and offers group and private sessions, ceremonial services, and workshops.