A celebrated entertainer, author, and entrepreneur,
Aaron Ableman grew up under the guidance of a farmer and a public-health nurse for parents, studying with indigenous elders, Hollywood elite and working class professionals alike. Born in Michael Douglas’ basement, Aaron was raised under auspicious
conditions, studying with the many world-leaders who took a moment to explore the trees or juggle the soccer ball. From his time in Nicaragua at the end of the civil war to being raised on a landmark urban farm, Ableman has held unusual leadership roles since a young age. He was a frequent star in annual stage shows as a child actor. Since high-school, he has been recognized as a distinguished producer, actor and writer in the fields of music, literature, film and education. Ableman soon began to write and compose musicals under the tutelage of Stanford theatre buff, Ian Cummings, with Nina Simone’s producer, Charles Ellison, (Concordia University) and at the renowned Esalen Institute with actress/master teacher, Paula Shaw. At the time, he was asked to be creative director and producer with an arts-education organization called Music Mind Movement. The group grew to national prominence and was a catalyst for many well-known artists across North America.
After university, he travelled as an artist-ambassador and educator reaching 10,000 orphans and low-income school children in the slums of Mumbai and Varanasi, India. Returning to North America to consult with arts therapy organizations in Canada, he went on to produce and teach a number of programs for marginalized school-kids. Moving back to California, Ableman founded an urban festival series bringing top scientists together with artists, athletes, businessmen and leaders to share cross-discipline solutions to global and community ills. He then became Executive Producer for the Clean Energy Tour, a statewide “Get Out The Vote” music tour backed by 120 organizations, reaching over 200k youth on 8 college campus’. In the wake of the Haiti earthquake, he was inspired to travel to Port-Au-Prince to advise a food-security initiative by employing music and storytelling as a way to engage marginalized communities in the challenging rebuilding process. It was then that his long-time project,
Pacha’s Pajamas, emerged as a prime tool to explore nature themed issues through music and storytelling.
An award-winning educator and entertainer, Aaron Ableman has dedicated his life to serving children, youth and families. Aaron has long been surrounded by world leaders in the movement for social and environmental change. Ableman has worked with major artists including Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Joan Baez, Rev. Michael Bernard Beckwith, Vandana Shiva, Raffi and is a sought after entertainer around the globe. His life and work have been heralded in publications such as the LA Times, CNN, MTV, New York Times, MTV, Montreal Mirror and SF Examiner. Aaron is a CoFounder of BALANCE Edutainment and a consultant for numerous Arts & Education Organizations.
Join us for a call with an inspired artist, who operates with the simple hope of healing the world, one heart beat at a time.
Five Questions with Aaron Ableman
What Makes You Come Alive?
I come alive in the raw element of nature. Maybe that's why my stage name is ANatural?! When I bodysurf in the ocean or hike a wild trail through the wilderness, I feel the ancient call of being alive. I paint with flowers or drum with rocks and feel the miracle of my beating heart. It is such adventures that keep my soul alive and grateful in the midst of our post-modern world where everyone seems so tech obsessed, fame or fortune focused and lost in the virtual reality show of their lives.
Pivotal turning point in your life?
My practices are my greatest inspiration. By practices, I mean, primarily: meditation and yoga, dance and music. But in fact, these practices could be anything that regularly inspire me to be the best of "me" and allow the worst of me to clear like rain through the desert. These practices are the key to cleansing anything that is challenging me or causing stress in my life. They provide a daily window to see my world like a dream, beautiful and creative as it is.
An Act of Kindness You'll Never Forget?
I have always been a risk-taker for doing good in the world. When I was 6 years old, after sobbing my way out of a scary movie, I told my mother that I need to become an everyday hero like Dr. Suess or Charlie Chaplin and make kids happy instead of scared. When we passed a homeless family on the street while walking home, I stopped and sang them "Amazing Grace". After the street-family joined us in singing (with a small audience assembled to watch), we invited this family to our farm to share a home cooked meal. The family told us their story and we shared dreams and hugged each other into the starry night. My life is founded on these small acts of love, a pillar and cornerstone that my parents always instilled in me since I was very young.
One Thing On Your Bucket List?
To perform at Carnegie Hall a series of my hit songs accompanied by a 100 piece children's choir and world-class artists...while the Dalai Lama dances on stage with me too!
One-line Message for the World?
Live every moment like it's your first or last, see love in everything & live your dreams!