CURRENT MISSION

To be fully alive and creative and meet interesting people. To create a large body of work/ play.

ABOUT ME

I grew up on a farm on the prairies in the middle of Canada. First and foremost, I am a professional musician. My specialty is harmonic overtone singing.
I've done a lot of world traveling, including being a tour member with Crash Test Dummies in '94-'95.

I have 3 solo CDs. The music is otherworldly world beat/pop/jazz.
I've had a very unusual life so far.

My websites:
www.kivasimova.com
www.facebook.com/Kiva.Simova

And I love to cook! I'm the world's best forager for exotic ingredients.

I'm mostly self employed, at music and teaching (music/ English). I also design clothing and accessories. I like recycling materials and second hand shops.

PHILOSOPHY

My favorite quotes:

There will always be a brilliant idea you just haven't thought of yet.

When you see the light at the end of the tunnel, it's time to order more tunnel.

Everything in moderation, including moderation.

When Gandhi was asked what he thought of western civilization, he answered- "It would be a good idea."

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I stayed with a lovely couple in Brussels in 2008.We had some lively conversations in a great popular restaurant. They have interesting lives and stories.

I hosted a professional swimmer from Poland later on. We were not the athletic types but it was interesting to learn about such a different life. We took him around the popular spots in Prague. He loved my carob apple brownies and took home the recipe for his mom.

I stayed with a guy in Reykjavik, who informed me of the newest political situation there, interesting discussion. He helped me a lot with my luggage and getting around, as I had back surgery previously and needed some assistance.

One more was with a young couple who hosted me in Los Angeles. They were great and very helpful in getting to from the airport (nearby) and back again the next day to get another flight. We had a lovely meal and conversation. The cutest little kitten too!

I hosted a couple from the UK for 2 nights on Saltspring. They were very nice and we shared good conversations over dinner both nights.

Interests

Music (especially world music),overtone singing, choirs, cooking, rituals, costumes, textiles, nature, native culture, shamanism, healthy food, drinking a nice glass of wine with dinner and friends

• culture
• singing
• design
• festivals
• dining
• cooking
• wine
• drinking
• clothing
• traveling
• music
• jazz
• world music
• swimming

Music, Movies, and Books

Seth Material, Hathors, Pleadians, The Book of Theanna, Joy Riding the Universe
Stone Age Soundtracks
Books about Sound and the Voice

Movies

2001, Brazil, Until the End of the World, Clockwork Orange, Jacob's Ladder, Dreamscape, Being John Malkovich, Groundhog Day, Peach Blossom Land, Fargo, Latcho Drom, The Gods must be Crazy, One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest, Amelie

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

It's a toss up between playing Royal Albert Hall and my experience with a shaman in Tuva. Performing on Saturday Night Live in New York comes a close third. And there are lots of others. Never mind all that- the biggest one might be my solo ('tweener') spot on main stage at the Winnipeg Folk Festival in 2001.

Teach, Learn, Share

Want to share my knowledge of the voice. Would love to learn felting, 3D printing.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Great cooking.

Countries I’ve Visited

Albania, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, Norway, Philippines, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, Czech Republic, Japan

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