Sunya Orlofske shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Sunya, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I’ve definitely been feeling the call to release my debut album, Cycle of Sound! In the past I did experience some perfectionism that had kept me from releasing my music sooner. Recording this album has been a practice in showing up for myself, embracing the process, and honoring my own voice. Through this journey, I learned that stepping fully into my own voice is not always comfortable, but it is essential for growth, both as an artist and as a human.
Speaking my truth, whether through music, activism, or everyday choices, requires letting go of the need for external validation. It demands vulnerability and integrity. This album reflects my commitment to this path, honoring my own journey while creating space for others to explore presence, creativity, and courage as they lean more deeply into their own journey.
I’ve also recently overcome some fears around asking for help from my community. As a single mom, it can be difficult to cover the costs to produce an album (with 13 songs!), which is why I have launched a fundraiser to help with these costs..and I am grateful for any and all support of this project. You can get a ticket to the album release party in October, purchase an art print, sign up for my online companion program or even get a custom meditation in exchange for a donation. Check out the campaign in the links below!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a flutist, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter based in the Tampa Bay Area. My sound blends world music, trip-hop, and natural soundscapes, woven together with improvisational flute melodies. I create immersive experiences using handpan, guitar, percussion, synth, and vocals layered around flute lines that draw listeners in.
What makes my work unique is how I combine music with interactive art. At some shows, I set up water-painting stations where participants create on “magic canvases” where painted designs fade within minutes. My performances become shared spaces inviting deepened sense of presence, creative exploration, and connection.
I’m preparing to release my upcoming album, Cycle of Sound this fall, inspired by life transitions, motherhood, and personal healing. Alongside it, I’m developing Meditative Markings, an online companion program pairing each track with guided creative exercises to support reflection and renewal. The 13 tracks of the album were created over 13 new moon cycles. Each song is an invitation to slow down, reflect, and reclaim the creative and expressive power we all carry. I will be sharing this music in spaces ranging from museums and festivals to retreats and wellness centers, creating immersive experiences that uplift individuals and communities.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
There was about a 6 month period that has profoundly shaped my life. It all began with the amazing and life changing experience of becoming a mother, shortly after, I experienced the death of my Father, a divorce, and then moved to a new city with my daughter. While overwhelming, this period revealed a deeper truth: life’s challenges can illuminate what truly matters. Grounded in gratitude, I realized that even in my darkest moments, I had the opportunity to to break out of my comfort zone, reconnect with core values, experience growth and allow for creative expression to walk me through the journey of healing. Since then, I have been able to experience life through a lens of moving through and reflecting on different cycles and layers of interconnection. Now, I’m grateful to have the privilege of translating those lessons into music.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
Creating the music for my album became a turning point for me. Rather than letting grief and upheaval distance me from my art, I used these experiences as fuel for healing and reflection. Over 13 new moon cycles, I wrote and recorded a new song each month, transforming pain into meditative compositions. In that process, I realized that vulnerability can be a source of strength, and that expressing one’s truth through art allows both self-discovery and connection with others. My music became a way to reclaim my voice and turn personal challenges into meaningful expression.
It is my hope that this musical saga will allow us all to lean into our own healing journey in new ways, paying closer attention to our patterns and how they are intertwined with everything around us. I have realized that rest from the “grind” is a foundation for personal evolution. The world has become an increasingly more stressful place and many people are just trying to survive. My inspiration lies in exploring new ways for people to manage their stress and take a pause from scrolling on social media to be more present with themselves through that creative connection. To me, that is where some real revolutionary power lies.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I deeply respect Nina Simone for her character.. and her power! Although she may have not always gotten the recognition she deserved. I admire her honesty, and courage to speak about racial injustice and civil rights, often at great personal and professional cost. As a Black woman navigating a deeply prejudiced society, she faced immense challenges, which she met with fierce integrity and unwavering commitment to her principles. Through her music and voice, she confronted oppression and illuminated uncomfortable truths, living by her belief: “An artist’s duty, as far as I’m concerned, is to reflect the times.” Her life inspires me because she shows that real influence arises from living fully in alignment with one’s values and using one’s creative gifts to take meaningful action, something I strive to do in my own life and work.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
I love this question. My search to understand who I am beneath names, roles, and possessions eventually led me to adopt my chosen artist name, Sunya. About a decade ago, I began exploring music and art from a lens of healing, and I discovered the power of creativity as a way to cultivate more presence and curiosity for what’s happening within me. This practice reminded me that real worth is not found in accomplishments or possessions, but in the beauty of living fully in each moment. We get to define our worth in that way.. it’s a power that can’t be taken, all though many of us unknowingly give it away.. I came to understand that at our core, we are not defined by labels or roles, but are part of a larger, ever-changing flow of life. When I let go of all these worldly things, I found gratitude. Choosing the name Sunya marked my dedication to living every day in gratitude, honoring this realization, and using music and art as a path of healing. So when all else falls away, what remains, for me, is the knowing that simply to exist is enough.. and that I am an artist even without all my instruments and creative tools.. I’m an artist of life!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sunya-music.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunyamusic/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunyaorlofske/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sunyamusic1
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndAkhpruaqM
- Other: Fundraiser https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/sunya-cycles-of-sound-album-release-fundraiser#/
spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/2bAP26NRQRruZ1bH3V2c1B
Image Credits
Fabian Bailey
Adam Danger Smith
