Welcome to golden lotus studio. If you’ve found your way here, then you probably love music – it is the air you breathe. You want to create the songs that you were uniquely destined to create. And you recognize the need for safe space, community and guidance on the journey. You’re in the right place. We’ve been waiting for you.
golden lotus studio was established as an online community in 2018 by Gary Grundei to fill a need for composers and songwriters of all walks of life and experience and training and styles to be able to support each other in their creativity and growth. There’s a magic that can happen when you put creativity, growth, authenticity, generosity, and community all together in one virtual environment.
our instructors:
hi, i’m gary grundei
My music has appeared on MTV, The Discovery Channel and NPR. I’ve composed for New York Stage and Film, Ensemble Studio Theatre, the Magic Theatre, GALA Choruses, and the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. I’ve been fortunate enough to work with Meredith Monk, Bill Pullman, Leigh Fondakowski, and Caitlyn FitzGerald.
I live in NYC with my family and I am incredibly blessed to be doing what I love full-time .
hi, i’m donovan dorrance
Donovan Dorrance hails from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where he trained as a multi-instrumentalist before moving to Brooklyn to work for his sister’s dance company, Dorrance Dance, and pursue his passion for music. As music director, Dorrance has had the opportunity to compose original music and tour internationally with the company for the last six years. Outside of dance, Dorrance composes for film, theatre, podcasts, commercials, and weird passion projects. He’s been with golden lotus studio since the beginning of 2020 and feels very privileged to get to share music with others during such a turbulent time.
hi, i’m siena larson
Siena Friend Larson is a singer-songwriter, filmmaker, photographer, writer, and health coach, depending on the day. A self-taught guitarist and songwriter, music has been the main throughline of her life, following her from her home state of Colorado to Los Angeles, where she recorded and released her latest solo e.p. in 2019. Siena has studied songwriting with Jonatha Brooke, Rob Seals (founder of the Songwriting School of Los Angeles), and of course, Gary Grundei. From participating in the first Compose Yourself class at the beginning of golden lotus studios, Siena has been an active part of the gls community for the past two years. She hosts the gls Songwriters’ Open Mic Night, and is a guest teacher of the Friday Afternoon Songwriting Club. Siena works as a health and creativity coach, and brings this holistic perspective to her offerings.
