“Rob and Melissa light up the room! Together they capture the audience with their joy-filled performances and their sweet glances at each other. If kirtan is indeed a path to the Divine, then Rob and Melissa will pave the way. ”

— Jeni Martinez, Owner of Three Trees Yoga, Federal Way, WA

LONG BIO

Rob and Melissa are kirtan singers and yoga teachers devoted to sharing the heart-opening practices of Bhakti yoga and kirtan. Kirtan with Rob and Melissa is a fresh take on an ancient practice, where Sanskrit chants blend with modern, accessible melodies and lush harmonies to create an atmosphere that has been described as “joyful medicine,” "heart-opening bliss" and “love and devotion materialized!” 

When Rob and Melissa first met, neither of them sang kirtan nor practiced Bhakti Yoga. By the time they married two years later, love and devotion had become the foundation of their partnership. As these seeds of devotion to each other grew, Rob and Melissa’s Bhakti Yoga practice blossomed, as well as the desire to share this love with others. Their music, teachings, and storytelling create a space of comfort, discovery, and deep joy. 

Rob and Melissa are based in the Pacific Northwest, but their music keeps them on the move, sharing kirtan as far away as India, Europe, and Central America. When they aren’t on the road, the couple leads regular weekly and monthly kirtans in Seattle, WA. In addition to sharing their music at yoga studios and festivals (Bhakti Fest, Shakti Fest, Prana Fest, Samsara Fest, Northwest Yoga Feast), they teach Bhakti Yoga workshops and modules for teacher training programs, provide live music for yoga classes and lead retreats around the world. 

They have just completed their third kirtan album with award-winning producer Ben Leinbach. (Jai Uttal, Deva Premal and Miten, Snatam Kaur and more). 

For booking info or any other questions, please email: info@robandmelissa.com or visit www.robandmelissa.com

SHORT BIO

Rob and Melissa are kirtan singers and yoga teachers devoted to sharing their love of kirtan and Bhakti Yoga wherever they go. The husband and wife duo is based in Seattle, but music and yoga keep them on the move, leading kirtans, workshops, and retreats all over the world. They have shared their music at numerous yoga festivals in the US, including Bhakti Fest, Shakti Fest, Prana Fest, Samsara Fest, and the Northwest Yoga Feast. 

Their music has been described as “heart-opening bliss,” “joyful medicine,” and “love and devotion materialized!” Whether you’re new to kirtan or a life long devotee, Rob and Melissa create a fun, accessible and sacred space...the perfect setting for a joy-filled celebration of the divine! 

Find out more at www.robandmelissa.com

ROB AND MELISSA KIRTAN DESCRIPTION

Kirtan, call and response chanting, is considered to be the heartbeat of Bhakti Yoga, the yoga of devotion. Rob and Melissa’s kirtan is a fresh take on an ancient practice, where heart-filled songs blend Sanskrit chants with modern, accessible melodies and lush harmonies. Join Rob and Melissa for a joy-filled celebration of the divine!

ROB AND MELISSA KIRTAN DESCRIPTION + BIO COMBINATION

Kirtan, call and response chanting, is considered to be the heartbeat of Bhakti Yoga, the yoga of devotion. Rob and Melissa’s kirtan is a fresh take on an ancient practice as their heart-filled songs blend Sanskrit chants with modern, accessible melodies and lush harmonies. Their music has been described as “heart-opening bliss,” “joyful medicine,” and “love and devotion materialized!” Whether you’re new to kirtan or a life-long devotee, husband and wife duo Rob and Melissa create a fun, accessible and sacred space...the perfect setting for a joy-filled celebration of the divine! 

Husband and wife, Rob and Melissa, are from the Seattle area, but they travel extensively, leading kirtans, workshops and retreats around the world. They have shared their music at numerous yoga festivals in the US, including Bhakti Fest, Prana Fest, Samsara Fest, and the Northwest Yoga Feast. 

ROB

The first significant marker on Rob’s Bhakti yoga journey was attending a Krishna Das kirtan in Los Angeles in 2002. Soon after, he found himself on a trajectory toward yoga and personal growth that has since been the driving force in his life. The next wonderful thing that happened was meeting Melissa.

Rob began sharing his music with the yoga community after a teacher heard one of his songs, “Breathe,” bought a CD and began playing it in her yoga classes. The same teacher soon asked him to sing kirtan at her studio, and he and Melissa have been chanting ever since. But it’s not only the mantras that grab his attention; the stories and philosophy of yoga are of equal interest. Drawing upon his experience as a filmmaker, he revels in sharing the stories and adventures of the yogic deities, bringing passion and relevance to these ancient teachings. 

Rob has been an avid student of Bhakti yoga for over 10 years and has been teaching since 2011. Some of Rob’s Bhakti teachers: Govind Das (Bhakti Yoga Shala/LA), Mataji Devi Vanamali (Rishikesh), Jai Uttal, Amber Tande (Sutra Yoga/Seattle), Michael and Rickie Beckwith, and his pug dog Humphrey.

MELISSA

Melissa began her practice of yoga over 20 years ago, but it wasn’t until she discovered kirtan that she began sharing her beautiful voice with others. Melissa experienced an immediate connection to chanting the names of the divine and it was through kirtan, Bhakti Yoga and the grace of the many teachers along her path that she found access to her authentic voice. Music and mantra have since become the foundation of her offerings.

Melissa has been teaching asana since 2012, initially receiving her yoga teacher training from 8 Limbs Yoga Centers in Seattle, WA. In 2015, with an increased desire to incorporate the spiritual aspects of yoga into her teachings, she completed the Bhakti Yoga teacher training program at Bhakti Yoga Shala in Santa Monica, CA. A few years later, she aspired to dedicate her days to sadhana; to find structure, consistency and a renewed dedication to her practice. In 2018, she received an additional 200hr RYT Akhanda Yoga certification through a month-long immersion at Yogrishi Vishvketu’s Ashram in Rishikesh, India. Her teaching style, heavily influenced by her experience as a dancer and Bhakti Yoga, is a unique blend of her trainings and her personal practice. It is playful, down-to-earth, uplifting and devotional.

Whether teaching a physical class or leading a chant, Melissa’s fluidity, grace, and joy are present in every breath. 

Some of Melissa’s teachers: Yogrishi Vishvketu (Akhanda Yoga, Rishikesh, India), Mataji Devi Vanamali (Rishikesh, India) Govind Das (Bhakti Yoga Shala, Santa Monica, CA), Amber Tande (Sutra Yoga, Seattle, WA), Jeni Martinez (Three Trees Yoga, Federal Way, WA), Anne Phyfe Palmer and Melina Meza (8 Limbs Yoga Centers, Seattle, WA)

HI-REZ Photos

Sample Track

booking Inquiries