Background of The First Track: “My Bright Star”

During this same time, White Eagle met Ivan Sembatya, a young 26 year old orphaned Ugandan young man who posted on face book his dire situation living in poverty in the ghetto of Bwaise, Uganda. After Ivan lost his job during COVID and his possessions stolen, he sat in ankle deep water in a tiny leaking room as floods and violence ravaged outside his door. Ivan was days from being homeless once again and considered suicide as many other young men in this ghetto had already done that week when they could no longer provide for themselves and their families. Suraj immediately intervened and befriended the young man. She learned of Ivan’s background, an orphan who lost both his parents at six years old and the two began a bond through their shared pain, a mother who lost her child and a child who lost his parents.

Their friendship and healing grew over the last year and a half. Ivan now calls White Eagle “mama” and White Eagle gave Ivan the endearing nickname “Simba”. From Alaska to Africa they informally adopted one another and began to share more deeply their path and their struggles. The Whirling Rainbow Foundation has since assisted Ivan in a GoFundMe for his basic needs, a new computer and printer so he might get work and supporting Simba in getting work, medical care and living outside the ghetto. In the process of their ongoing online communication, White Eagle learned Simba was a talented graphic artist, singer and songwriter and hired him to assist her in creating the first track of the Loss2Love CD Project, “My Bright Star”. With her daughter Sierra’s help from the Spirit World, White Eagle & Sierra wrote the lyrics and Simba wrote the baseline melody. This song depicts the conversation between mother and daughter across worlds. It depicts the raw anguish of a mother and the wisdom of her angel child to carry her mother and all of us into a new future of greater spiritual understanding, healing and inspiration.

Within months, White Eagle reconnected with Singer songwriter Sarah Bethany who had performed with the Grandmother Drum Ensemble over the years and seemed the perfect lead voice for “My Bright Star”. Sarah was deeply moved by the project and said a resounding yes to being the voice of My Bright Star. Shortly after her husband and renowned music, video producer and percussionist, Michael Surprenant also joined the project.

In the process, we would learn that Sarah had some musical recording contacts in Kampala, Uganda with the non-profit Love to Love Foundation and the magical connections were made for Simba to receive support for his musical talents which is now giving him musical coaching and recording opportunities.

Our vision with “My Bright Star” is to create the song and a music video with diverse ethnic artists across the world, singing this uplifting song together.  Most of the artists who have come together are award winning and at the top of their field, many have Grammys and Tony awards and their work has been featured on CBS, Motown, ABC, NBC, 20th Century Films, Lucasfilms, Marvel Studios and the like.

Watch My Bright Star: The Backstory Of The Making Of The Song Part 1 & 2

Featured Artists on “MY BRIGHT STAR”

White Eagle Medicine Woman (Suraj Holzwarth) Songwriter, Musical Director, Producer, Backup Harmonies and Drummer (Grandmother Drum). White Eagle is the Executive Director of Whirling Rainbow Foundation, International an Spiritual Healer, Teacher, Award Winning Artist, Singer & Songwriter. Lost her only brother, both parents and recently her only daughter. White Eagle & The Grandmother Drum Ensemble has toured in 20 countries. This will be the project’s 5th Sacred music CD. LOCATION: ALASKA USA www.whirlingrainbow.com

Ivan (Simba) Sembatya, Co-Songwriter Ivan lost both parents at age 6 and is an orphan who was been living in the worst ghetto in Uganda all his life. His musical and artist talent and hope amidst such ongoing hardship is astounding. Ivan assisted in creating the baseline melody for My Bright Star. Along with his musical group, New Generations he also recorded “ Mother”, “Arise”, “You Can” and “Shift” LOCATION: Uganda. AFRICA

Sarah Bethany-FEATURED Lead Vocalist, Vocal Harmonies, & Piano. A supremely talented singer, songwriter and professional pianist, Sarah was deeply called to creating sacred music for bereavement when she lost her 100 year old grandmother in 2020 and has already donated many hours and her amazing voice to the creation of My Bright Star. LOCATION: HAWAII USA https://www.sarahbethany.com or  https://www.manamusicandmedia.com

Michael Surprenant– Musical Arrangement, Musical Production, Drums. An award winning producer and musician, Michael lost his father when he was only 5 years old and feels deeply for this project and has already donated many hours to the production of “My Bright Star. LOCATION: Hawaii USA https://www.manamusicandmedia.com

Elele Tiana: Backup Harmonies. As a composer, performer, and music director, Tiana  music is rooted in her  love for the expressions of my humanity. Growing up in a multi-generational musical family, it’s within her Hawaiian  lineage to express the vibration of love for life through the instruments I play and the songs I sing. As a five year old I began with the Piano, and found my soul soothed by my ancestral roots which led me to the ukulele. This communion with my roots supported my personal journey to heal on a level that I am now sharing through my musical experiences. Her style ranges from Island & Roots Reggae to Soulful Funk & Conscious Lyrics.  Her work in the studio has brought her a Grammy nomination, along with multiple Hoku nominations (Hawaiian Grammy Awards). https://www.elele-tiana.com

Pedro Ka’awaloa: Backup Harmonies. Pedro is an Actor, Musical Director, Teacher, Musician and Singer. He is Hawaiian and Filipino, born and raised on the Big Island. After almost ten years of directing and conducting in his hometown, he decided to make the move to New York and secured a Broadway theatre contract within two months of arriving. He graduated from Harvard University with a B.A. in Music with a focus in conduction, music theory, and composition. Pedro special skills are Music Director, Conductor, Band Director, Music Instructor, Accompanist, Composer and as a musician he plays Piano, Ukulele, Guitar, Trombone, and Cello. https://www.pedrokaawaloa.com

Bryan Crook, All Strings (Violins, Viola, Chello,) and Flute

Bryan is a composer, producer, songwriter and world class multi- instrumentalist who has been a nominee of Tony and Oliver awards and contributed to 7 Grammy award winning albums. He is also co-founder of Mana Music and Media, a comprehensive music production company specializing in license and custom work for television, film and advertisements New York USA www.bryancrook.com

August Eriksmoen, Acoustic Guitar and Base

is a Grammy nominated producer, Tony nominated orchestrator, as well as twice nominated for the Drama Desk Award, and is a recipient of London’s Olivier Award. He has toured all over the country as a multi-instrumentalist and conductor. He is an accomplished arranger and orchestrator, having worked on many Broadway musicals and TV shows, including the hit show Come From Away, Steve Martin and Edie Brickell’s Bright Star, ABC’s Once Upon A Time, A Christmas Story Live, and Disney’s Descendants. (New York) https://beesinthebarn.com/

OTHER FEATURED ARTISTS ON THE LOSS TO LOVE CD Michaela Baumgartner, MA, Co-Director, Whirling Rainbow Foundation, Flutist, International Healer, Teacher & Performance Artist. Michael lost her only 19-year-old brother in 2009, her grandmother in 2014 and her father in 2019. Her forthcoming memoir “Loss2Love” depicts her own healing quest of loss to love and the many paths to finding new meaning and purpose. She pioneered the foundation’s encompassing work on grief, teaching workshops and online courses, giving lectures and private sessions which all focus on empowering ways to build a new relationship with oneself and one’s deceased loved ones after earth-shattering loss. She also assists as an intuitive Medium to bridge the worlds with communication as she believes the dialog with our loved ones need not end but can ascend to new forms. She has already started two flute tracks for this CD, “You are Not Alone” and “Everlasting Light” to honor her brother and grandmother respectively. LOCATION: ALASKA, USA. www.whirlingrainbow.com

My Bright Star

©The Whirling Rainbow Foundation 2023

Written by: 

White Eagle Medicine Woman (Suraj Holzwarth), Sierra Rae Parker & (Simba) Ivanlee Sembatya

Melody by:

(Simba) Ivanlee Sembatya, Michael Surprenant, Sarah Bethany & White Eagle (Suraj Holzwarth)

Music Choreography:

Michael Surprenant, Sarah Bethany &  White Eagle (Suraj Holzwarth)

Executive Producer:

Suraj Holzwarth, Whirling Rainbow Foundation

Sound Engineering & Musical Production:

Michael Surprenant