Arlyn Deva Alderdice was born and raised in Hotchkiss, CO and currently lives there – mothering, gardening, creating, playing marimba, hiking, drumming, teaching, dancing, working, and playing. Thank goodness for family nearby, fresh food, mountains, and community.
Arlyn loves sharing fun polyphonic groove based music through performing and teaching as co-director of the Marimba Project (more info) and the Embodying Rhythm Marimba Ensemble. She also enjoys teaching, leading, and empowering women’s drum and rhythm gatherings. She is currently practicing beginner’s mind by learning to play the clarinet.
Arlyn is a graduate of Matrix Leadership Institute’s Facilitator Training and earned her B.A. degree in Expressive Arts through Prescott College’s Adult Degree Program. She has also completed extensive dance training with Melissa Michaels and Wild Life Productions in Boulder, CO. Arlyn has studied a bit of herbalism with Alicia Michaelson of Paonia, CO. Arlyn is also learning a great deal from the plants themselves while gardening, as well as enjoying the rich written works of Michael Moore, Rosemary Gladstar, Tammi Hartung, Machelle Small Wright, and more. The land has been such a blessing for her as she re-patterns herself for health and sustainable living.
David has been Arlyn’s main drum and marimba teacher and she gives great thanks for his patience and willingness as he helps her to experience music in all styles and genres especially on marimba, frame drums, cajon, and auxiliary percussion.
For Arlyn’s dance practice and knowledge of ritual, she thanks Melissa Michaels, Amina Knowlan, Neelam, Jeannie Zandi, The Magical Mystical Muse, 
Cheri Shanti, Gabrielle Roth, Nancy Smith and Frequent Flyers Productions, Terry Sendgraff, Ixeeya Beacher, Authentic Movement, yoga, satsang, and thousands of years of dancers moving their bodies. Arlyn has in the past been a DJ (both radio and live dancing), a professional choreographer and performer of aerial work, stilt-walking, and improvisational dance. Arlyn enjoys leading movement in a variety of contexts including spiritual retreats, outdoor dance parties, community celebrations, and more.
Deep presence can be found in the deep woods as well as a crowded dance floor. Arlyn is also thankful to have sat with the work of many wonderful teachers including Sharon Landrith, Joi Sharp, Neelam, Jeannie Zandi, Arjuna, Michael Regan, Carolyn Myss, Ken Wilber, Byron Katie, Adyashanti, and others.
Arlyn sends a thank you to Samara Taylor, Amy Williams, Cindy Ziegler, Sofia Diaz, Amy McCarrel, Blythe Massey, Kelly Larson, and all who have come before in the lineage of yoga for your influence on her practice.
Great thanks to David, AC, and to family and friends who have supported this life-journey.
“I pray for the world and for this species as we walk through these tumultuous times.”