We had the good fortune of connecting with YahChannah Ahava and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi YahChannah, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
Both my businesses, Educational Theatre Institute (ETI) and YahChannah Sacred Sounds create positive social impact by using the arts and sound wellness to educate, inspire, and strengthen individuals and communities.

Through ETI, we provide high-quality theatrical training, arts education, and performance opportunities that help youth and adults develop confidence, creativity, communication skills, teamwork, leadership, and self-expression. Our programs make the arts accessible to diverse communities and support personal growth, cultural understanding, and lifelong learning.

Through YahChannah Sacred Sounds, we offer sound wellness experiences that promote relaxation, stress reduction, mindfulness, emotional regulation, and overall well-being. Our programs serve schools, families, educators, community groups, and individuals seeking healthy tools for self-care and wellness.

Specialized programs such as Tranquil Tones™ help children develop focus, self-awareness, emotional balance, and calming strategies that can be used both in school and at home. We are also developing inclusive wellness programs designed to support diverse learners and individuals of varying abilities.

Together, our organizations contribute to healthier, more connected communities by combining the transformative power of the performing arts with the restorative benefits of sound and mindfulness practices. Our mission is to help people thrive emotionally, creatively, socially, and spiritually while creating safe, welcoming spaces for learning, healing, and personal growth.

A woman in a white dress and headscarf kneels beside a person lying on the floor with a pillow, in a decorated room.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is ultimately about transformation. Whether I am working in theatre, education, or sound healing, my purpose has always been the same: helping people discover their voice, awaken their potential, and experience a deeper connection with themselves and others.

For much of my life, that work took place on the stage and in the classroom. As an actress, producer, theatre educator, and founder of the Educational Theatre Institute (ETI), I have spent decades using the performing arts to inspire confidence, creativity, communication, and personal growth. I have seen firsthand how a young person can be transformed when they step onto a stage and realize they are capable of more than they ever imagined.

Today, through YahChannah Sacred Sounds, I continue that mission in a different but deeply connected way. Sound healing has become another pathway for transformation. Through our Tranquil Tones™ programs, participants are invited to slow down, relax, release stress, and reconnect with a sense of inner balance. In many ways, theatre and sound healing share the same goal—they help people become more present, more authentic, and more fully alive.

What sets my work apart is this unique combination of arts education, performance, wellness, and healing. I don’t see these as separate disciplines. I see them as different expressions of the same calling: helping people grow. My programs are designed not only to entertain or educate, but also to nurture the whole person—mind, body, spirit, and creative self.
I am most proud of the lives I have touched along the way. Awards and accomplishments are wonderful, but what means the most to me are the students who found confidence through theatre, the educators who discovered new ways to inspire their classrooms, and the individuals who have experienced peace, healing, or emotional renewal through sound. Knowing that something I created made a positive difference in someone’s life is the greatest reward.

My journey has not always been easy. Like many artists and entrepreneurs, I have faced challenges, setbacks, disappointments, and moments of uncertainty. Building programs, sustaining organizations, advocating for the arts, and creating new opportunities often requires perseverance and faith. There were times when resources were limited and obstacles seemed overwhelming. What carried me through was a clear sense of purpose and a belief that the work mattered.

One of the greatest lessons I have learned is that success is rarely a straight path. Growth often comes through challenges. I have learned to embrace change, trust the process, and remain open to new possibilities. The transition from theatre educator to sound healing practitioner was not something I planned years ago, yet it feels like a natural evolution of everything I have done throughout my life.

I have also learned that impact is more important than recognition. The most meaningful work often happens quietly—in a classroom, during a performance, in a sound bath, or in a moment when someone feels seen, heard, and valued.
What I want the world to know about me and my brand is simple: my work is rooted in service. Whether through Educational Theatre Institute or YahChannah Sacred Sounds, my mission is to create experiences that inspire, heal, educate, and empower. I believe every person has gifts waiting to be discovered, and I believe the arts and sound have the power to unlock those gifts.

My story is one of creativity, resilience, lifelong learning, and a commitment to helping others thrive. If people remember one thing about my work, I hope it is this: transformation is possible at any age, and sometimes all it takes is a safe space, an encouraging voice, a creative opportunity, or a single beautiful sound to begin the journey.

Children and adults participate in a yoga class in a decorated hall with streamers and candles, some lying on mats.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
As a 45+ year Angeleno, artist, educator, and wellness practitioner, I would create an itinerary that reflects the incredible diversity, creativity, beauty, and cultural richness of Los Angeles.

Day 1: Welcome to Los Angeles
We would start with brunch overlooking the ocean in Santa Monica, followed by a walk along the beach and the Santa Monica Pier. In the evening, we would enjoy dinner and live music while watching the sunset over the Pacific Ocean.

Day 2: Arts and Culture
A visit to the Getty Center would be at the top of the list. The architecture, gardens, and world-class art collection make it one of my favorite places in the city. Later, we would explore the vibrant theatre and arts scene that has been such an important part of my life.

Day 3: Hollywood and Entertainment
No trip to Los Angeles is complete without exploring Hollywood. We’d visit iconic landmarks, see a live performance, and experience the creative energy that draws artists from around the world.

Day 4: Wellness and Renewal
This day would be dedicated to relaxation and restoration. I would introduce my friend to a Tranquil Tones™ sound experience featuring crystal singing bowls, chimes, and sacred sound instruments. We would spend time reconnecting with nature and enjoying a slower pace.

Day 5: Food and Community
Los Angeles is one of the world’s great food cities. We would explore neighborhoods known for their diverse cuisines and rich cultural traditions. One of my favorite things about Los Angeles is that you can experience flavors and cultures from around the world without ever leaving the city.

Day 6: Hidden Gems
We would visit local cultural centers, independent galleries, and community arts spaces that reflect the city’s creativity and diversity. These are often the places where some of the most inspiring artists, educators, and innovators can be found.

Day 7: Reflection and Celebration
We would conclude the week with a peaceful morning by the ocean followed by a gathering of friends, artists, educators, and community members. The best part of Los Angeles is not just its landmarks—it’s the people. The city is filled with dreamers, creators, entrepreneurs, healers, and visionaries who continue to inspire me every day.

What I love most about Los Angeles is that it encourages people to imagine possibilities. It is a place where cultures meet, creativity thrives, and reinvention is always possible. Whether through theatre, education, wellness, food, music, or community, there is always something new to discover and someone fascinating to meet.

Group of children sitting on the floor facing a woman standing in front of a decorated room, some with colorful blankets.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Melinda Milton

Website: https://www.EducationalTheatre.net

Instagram: @iamDeborahKellar

Linkedin: Deborah Kellar

Facebook: Deborah Kellar. YahChannahSacred Sounds Educational Theater Institute

Youtube: ETI-Educational Theatre Institute

People lying on the floor and standing in a decorated indoor space, some in costumes, with others observing or assisting.

Person in wheelchair facing a stage with people and decorations in a large indoor event space.

People lying on mats in a large room decorated with streamers, candles, and a stage in the background.

Image Credits
None

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