Pianist Turns Personal Loss Into Immersive San Diego Concert

SAN DIEGO, CA — Composer, pianist and meditation expert Murray Hidary has always had a passion for music.

He earned a degree in music and composition from New York University, studied the Japanese bamboo flute, and trained in the ancient music tradition of Zen monks. When Hidary lost his younger sister in a motorcycle accident, he turned to music to process his pain.

"We all process grief in our own ways. For a time, I tried to numb myself and avoid the emotion I was feeling. But you cannot heal from something you don't allow yourself to feel," Hidary told Patch. "I began to sit down at the piano and allow the music to move through me. It helped me tap into those feelings I was running from. I quite literally played through my grief."

Finding solace in sound, Hidary created an immersive music experience called MindTravel. The multi-disciplinary artist has been on a mission to share the healing power of music ever since.

Music and mindfulness will meet during the first-ever MindTravel Live-To-Headphone "Silent" Piano Concert Wednesday in San Diego County, when the musician's real-time compositions will be heard through wireless headphones worn by concertgoers on the beach in Del Mar. The headphone listening experience offers a personal yet powerful way for audience members to share the intimate moment in community with others, according to Hidary.

"MindTravel started as my own personal practice following the tragic death of my baby sister," Hidary said. "As MindTravel provided much-needed catharsis and healing for me, I knew I wanted to bring this musical healing to others."

Hidary hosted the first MindTravel piano concert for a small group of friends in his living room in 2013.

Since then, Hidary has held more than 800 MindTravel music and meditation events across the globe. These include piano concerts, silent hikes and walks, and underwater meditation experiences in more than 100 cities in the U.S. as well as Europe, the Middle East, Egypt, and even Antarctica.

"What started as a handful of friends in my living room has grown to immersive musical experiences that have reached and touched people the whole world over," Hidary said.

"We've been extremely fortunate to reach hundreds of thousands of people over the years, and we're always delighted and humbled by the response," he added. "Every artist hopes that their work resonates with their audience. It's why we create — as a way of feeling like we're not alone. MindTravel's mission is to foster awakening and human connection, and every time we're able to do that is extremely inspiring and fulfilling."

Although this will be the first MindTravel piano concert in the San Diego area, Hidary previously hosted his MindTravel SilentHike meditation experience at Cowles Mountain. Wednesday's sold-out event will take place from 6:30-8 p.m. at Powerhouse Park in Del Mar.

"The personal connection I get to experience with each and every attendee is the most rewarding part of MindTravel," Hidary said. "I know the profound impact that music had for myself, so it's my passion to be able to provide even a small moment of comfort and healing to someone else."

For more information, visit mindtravel.com.