Numero 179
Alessandra Montana
La Gonghera
Alessandra Montana teaches and works with sound, vibrations, and energy, using the gong as both a transformative tool and a medium for creative expression. As a teacher of gong mastery, she introduces people into the universe of sounds as vibrations and energy, helping them unlock the instrument’s profound potential, creating spaces and moments for people to let go, to rest, and in that rest, find a new harmony. She was born in Italy but spent the past 30+ years living between Paris, London, Los Angeles and Mexico. After the passing of her mother and a few other life events, she moved to LA in 1995 to give herself a chance to start a new life. After winning the green card lottery, she was finally able to start a career in the fashion business here in LA bringing her expertise from the European fashion market. After 18 years in the fashion business (between Europe and Los Angeles) and after the suicide of one of her best friend and fashion mentor, in 2008 she decided to quit her comfortable fashion director position to explore herself to a deeper level and follow her own dreams one more time. Yoga was the facilitator of the big shift in Alessandra’s life. In 2008, Alessandra certified in Bhakti and Hatha Yoga. Yoga and Kirtan were her doorway into the magic Universe of Sound and Vibrations. In 2010, after finishing her training in Bhakti and Hatha, Alessandra moved to Tulum and started offering yoga classes and live music. This opened her way into the gong and in 2013 she took on the studies with pioneers in sound healing and specialized into the magic of the Gong. She played and taught in the USA, UK, Mexico and Europe for the past decade. During her 14 years of living in Tulum, Alessandra pioneered Sound Healing and the Gong in the region, she opened and managed the studio at Sanara Hotel and provided sound experiences at prestigious venues including Sanara, Be Tulum, Nomade, Yaan, Holistika, Maya Tulum, Selina, Casa Magna, Summit, Art with me and Mayan sacred temples and caves. Her work has been mentioned in Yoga Journal USA, 66 minutes (M6- French television), New York Times, Vogue Uomo (Italy) to mention a few and she was chosen as sound therapist for Grateful Dead, Matthews Band and the Phish and in 2020 she was invited to open one of the the online Cannes Festival broadcasting. She recently came back to Los Angeles to continue to share her passions of the gong, the transformative power of the gong.
In my life, for ” work “, I help people to find a space to take a break from the chaos of life through relaxing and transformative journeys using the power of sound, vibrations, and energy with a focus on the power of gongs. Guiding people in a place where rebooting the chip is possible. After so many years of playing, I can tell that my true passion is to teach the art and mastery of the gong, how to develop an individual relationship with the Gong and all that comes along with it. Getting inspired and blending my love for nature, indigenous traditions, angelic realms and ancient wisdom into experiences that inspire balance and personal growth. My path has also been shaped by my diverse journey—from fashion to sound “alchemist”, from the outer to the inner—and I continue to explore ways to help others align with their true essence and the rhythms of life and have more relaxed happy eyes. For fun… I like creativity, and the joy of discovery. I find inspiration in nature—hiking through scenic trails, swimming in any sort of uncontaminated waters, be it the ocean, a lake or a river or a cenote when I am in Mexico, or simply walking and watching the light dance at dawn and sunset. There’s nothing better than good times with good friends and traveling to explore new places, to uncover the beauty of different cultures and traditions. I’ve spent over 30 years living and traveling abroad, and my passion for cultural exchange continues to fuel my adventures. Whether it’s cooking up an Italian feast, diving into a great sitcom, musical, or love story movie or appreciating the whimsy of cartoons and art. I love esoteric books, and ancient civilization stories. I love watching Gaia. I love to spend one of those nights with that special friend with those specific hilarious and life meaningful lessons while sipping our favorite drink (for me would be spring flat water or mezcal on the rocks). Oh I love time with good friends. Music, live music are another big love of mine. I love the way all the layers of the body come to life during a good moment of music. I am in love with the way music, harmonious tones and vibrations make me feel. I’m deeply drawn to the beauty of medicine music and the magic of sound frequencies. Listening to these vibrations feels like stepping into a world of alchemy, where sound becomes a powerful form of medicine, a tool to shift the way we feel and perceive, and elevates us. I want to see life as a colorful palette of possibilities, and I’m always eager to explore, connect, and create meaningful moments that leave a lasting imprint.
The decision to leave Milan and move to Los Angeles came at a pivotal moment in my life. I was navigating the grief of losing my mother and other challenging events that marked my early twenties. It felt like the right time to start fresh, and Los Angeles seemed to offer the perfect combination of work opportunities and freedom—the quintessential American dream. I had spent a few months in LA the summer before I decided to move, so I knew some people, had friends, and already had a sense of the city’s unique energy. I also had a starting point with a friend to help me begin my journey. The abundance of nature within and around the city, the end-of-the-century Sunset Boulevard vibes, the alternative charm of Melrose Avenue, the Roxy Bar, the Sunday Gospels at the House of Blues, the Hollywood Hills private pool parties, and the feeling of freedom driving a convertible along the Pacific Coast Highway toward Santa Barbara all left a lasting impression. LA felt like a place where I could rebuild—a city full of possibilities, eternal summer, and a spirit of reinvention. Everything seemed to align. While Australia was another option I considered, LA ultimately became ‘the chosen one.’ It was the right place for me to take a chance and create a new chapter in my life.
That’s a tough question, as my first 15 years in Los Angeles, from 1995 to 2010, were filled with unforgettable memories. Each phase of my life in the city felt like a new ‘best moment.’ From living on Formosa with my girlfriends to my time in Venice Beach, I was immersed in sunsets and sunrises, rollerblading along the boardwalk, joining drum circles, and savoring the fading spirit of old hippie Venice. There were wild nights in the Hills, serene walks on a deserted boardwalk after dusk, and incredible work opportunities that opened doors to travels I never imagined—all of it an extraordinary tapestry of my LA story.
But if I had to choose one memory, it would be those magical nights on Mulholland Drive. My friend Milena and I would hop into my old beaten VW Rabbit (which met its end on Sunset Boulevard one fateful Saturday night) and drive up to Mulholland. We’d find a quiet spot, immerse ourselves in nature, and alternate between lying on our backs to gaze at the stars and sitting up to watch the city lights below flicker like a living, breathing organism.
Those nights felt like pure possibility. From that vantage point, I could feel the vastness of life and the limitless potential it held. It was as if the stars and city lights whispered, ‘Everything is possible if you believe and keep moving forward.’ The harmony of stillness and motion, the hum of the city below, and the immensity of the sky above filled me with hope and reminded me to never give up on my dreams. Those moments on Mulholland weren’t just memories—they were life’s quiet affirmations, filling me with love and gratitude for the City of Angels.
Fashion has been a part of my life since I was born. My grandparents started a business in 1949 with fabrics, which evolved into my parents’ boutique featuring high-end brands. Growing up in this environment, clothing became more than just something to wear—it became part of who I am, and I like to see fashion as a way to express myself and the messages I want to convey. I always choose what I wear with intention and purpose. I worked for 20 years in the fashion business myself and even after leaving my fashion career for good in 2008, my love for clothing and everything it represents never faded. My style evolved with a new motto: less (of good quality) is better than more (of poor quality). I guess you could say you can take the girl out of fashion, but you can’t take the fashion out of the girl. When it comes to shoes, I have three favorites: sneakers, flat boots, and, above all, going barefoot in nature. For this project, I chose to go barefoot because there’s nothing quite like the sensation of feeling the earth beneath my feet. It’s my way of grounding—discharging what no longer serves me and recharging with the energy of the earth. Being barefoot brings me pure happiness, a sense of freedom, and a deep connection to nature. For me, it embodies simplicity, elegance, and the joy of being truly in tune with myself. For the rest of my outfit, I wore my ‘lucky coat,’ a piece that has brought me good fortune so many times that my friends even named it as such—and they’ve borrowed it when they needed an extra dose of luck! It’s always a good occasion to wear the lucky coat. My shiny pants are what I call my ‘happy pants,’ a name lovingly given by one of my students, and they never fail to lift my spirits. So why not add a bit of sparkle to such an amazing experience? To balance the sparkle, I paired them with a cozy black sweatshirt made from organic fabric (I’m a big fan of organic materials). I’m not a ‘shiny-look’ person, so blending simple and bold pieces creates balance and feels authentic to me. I completed the look with my favorite Peruvian hat—because I simply love hats, and this one is my current favorite. Finally, I wore my kaftan. When I play, I like to do so from a sacred space, and the kaftan helps me honor that intention. Altogether, this outfit perfectly reflects who I am: grounded, joyful, intentional, and in tune with the sacred. I chose this location because being in nature is where I feel most at peace and connected. It’s not just where I feel my best—it’s where I always want to be. Nature grounds me, revitalizes me, and inspires me in ways nothing else can. Having Los Angeles in front of me allowed me to blend the city’s vibrant energy with the serenity of nature. Japanese gardens, in particular, evoke a sense of stillness and zen that I deeply cherish. They embody harmony and grace, offering the perfect backdrop for this shoot. Being surrounded by the timeless strength of the tree and the quiet elegance of the garden beautifully reflected what I hoped to capture.
Being part of this project is a true honor. Through the lens of Alexo Wandael, this collection beautifully captures the stories of Italians who, like me, have made a life in the United States. It’s a deeply personal experience to see how our individual journeys come together to celebrate the creativity, resilience, and style that Italians bring to the world. For me, this project is more than a series of portraits and an unforgettable experience. It’s a tribute to our roots, the challenges we face, and the dreams we pursue. It reflects the unique way we adapt and thrive in a new country while carrying the essence of Italy in everything we do. To have my story included is both humbling and emotional. It’s a reminder of my own and everyone’s journey, the risks taken, and the joy of contributing to something larger than ourselves. Italiany isn’t just about showcasing the impact of Italian style—it’s about the soul behind it, and I’m grateful to share a piece of mine.
Being an ambassador of Italian style and culture abroad is both an honor and a responsibility. To me, it means carrying the essence of Italy wherever I go—its creativity, elegance, and passion for life. It’s about embodying the Italian spirit through connection, warmth, and authenticity. Living and working abroad for so many years, I’ve realized that Italian culture resonates deeply because it’s rooted in beauty and craftsmanship, but also in how we value relationships, savor moments, and approach life with heart and soul. In my view, representing Italian style means sharing those values with the world—whether it’s through the way I dress, the care I put into my work, or how I bring people together to create meaningful experiences. It’s about honoring my heritage while embracing the richness of the cultures I encounter, blending them into something uniquely my own.
