Ani Choying Drolma

The founder of the Arya Tara School, the first school in Nepal to offer traditional Buddhist and secular studies for Buddhist nuns, in 2000, Ani Choying Drolma is known for her command of ancient Tibetan Buddhist chants and songs. Recorded by Minneapolis-based guitarist Steve Tibbetts, in a small monastery in Napal, Drolma was brought to the attention of Rykodisc/Hannibal, after instrumentation was added to the original tape, and signed to a recording contract. The tapes were released as Cho in 1997. Her second album, Dancing Dakini, released in 2000, was recorded with electronic musicians, Sina Vodjani. She recorded a solo version of Cho during a Spring 2002 concert in Kathmandu.

The daughter of Tibetan exiles in Kathmandu, Nepal, Drolma entered the Buddhist nunnery, Nagi Gompa, at the age of thirteen. Taught Buddhist mediation, chants, rituals and ceremonies, under the supervision of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, she advanced to the position of chant master.

Agreeing to become Rinpoche’s personal health assistant, she served the meditation master until his passing away in February 1996.