Who We Are!

Tara has been practicing yoga for over 20 years, a respiratory therapist, has a BFA in Voice with Sound Therapy Studies from the Berklee College of Music and has created acclaimed live soundscapes for many and diverse yoga classes and workshops. 

Tara was born and raised in Washington, PA and fell in love with music at an early age having tender memories of the experience of immense joy singing in elementary school music class. Tara continued to be involved in music all through school days having participated in bands, choirs and musical theatre, always feeling deeply connected with expression through music. 

As part of a musical family with linage back to big band, The Jeffers Family band was quite a novelty and boosted unmatched vocals due to the unique family harmonic blend.  Tara offers a unique execution of musical style as her influences span many genres including rock, pop, folk, jazz, opera and world. Tara studied music and voice at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA . Her passion for devotional singing and talent as a mult-instrumentalist allows Tara to contribute to Cozmic Water with her pure, soothing voice and unexpected instrumentations, clever arrangements, and meditative compostions.  

Bill has been practicing various flavors of yoga for over 50 years, an ERYT500 & a lead YTT trainer, has a PhD in BioMolecular Physics from Berkeley, a professor of Chemistry and a research professor of Physiology at Marshall University & associated Medical School. Bill’s understanding and teaching of yoga’s physical practices and darśana are informed by modern scientific research and yoga/sanskrit scholarship, respectively. Bill’s teaching practice includes: several weekly yoga classes (principally Somatic, Yin, Restore, Nāda, free monthly darśan and lead YTT trainer) at Studio 8, Huntington; YACEP workshops; Long-time Faculty advisor - MU Yoga Club.

Mark Smith is the newest member of Cozmic Water. Mark was born and raised in WV. Mark's love for music was fostered at home by his father. Friends and fellow musicians would gather at the Smith home on weekend nights to play country, gospel and folk music. His mother introduced him to the sounds of Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan.

When Mark was five, his Papaw sneaked him on stage at the Ryman in Nashville and told him about all of the legends who had performed in that very spot. That moment is vivid in his memory and drives him today.

Mark's voice has a quality that is unique with a traditional Mountain essence. His finger picking style is fluid. He is a performer who loves music, and loves to share it with others.