SHIVAYA.. A term of endearment for the great Hindu God, Shiva, one of the supreme Trinity along with Brahma and Vishnu. In addition to being the destroyer of ego and evil, Shiva is also the destroyer of the world in order to be recreated again and again by Brahma.

Shivaya, here at the Santa Rosa Church of Religious Science, is a duet of two exceptionally talented women who bless us with their silky-smooth voices throughout the year.

Pam Atchison.. Pam comes to us with a plethora of musical experience. Her background, in part, is why we get to regularly enjoy her beautiful singing voice. She is no stranger to the music profession; as a child her father worked in the recording industry and this gave her the opportunity to spend much of her time in and about music studios. Her time spent in the company of recording artists gave Pam a front row seat where she discovered her own talents and learned to love music. In the early 70’s Pam managed a recording studio and also sang in many of their projects. Throughout the following years she went on to perform in publishing demos as a lead vocal and to do background vocals. Today it is our fortune to have her grace our lives with her musical talents as one half of Shivaya.

Pam is also a respected Religious Science Practitioner (RScP) at the Santa Rosa Church of Religious Science.

Shelly Vierra.. Shelly’s musical background started as early as grammar school singing in Catholic school choirs then onto classical voice lessons throughout high school. Her next ventures were performing with a top forty band and receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Music from Mills College. Today Shelly pairs up with Pam as the second half of Shivaya where she also graces us with her musical talents.

Shivaya is Born.. Pam and Shelly met as members of the SRCRS choir, "One Heart." One evening they got together for a sectional rehearsal outside of choir and were pleasantly surprised to find that their two voices blended together very well. After this discovery they were given their first opportunity to harmonize together onstage when performing Hindu chants with Linda Webb-Khakaba, the SRCRS Music Director. This experience was so positive for the two of them, the Band, and the audiences attending services that Shivaya now sings with Linda on a regular basis. When asked why they are so successful in what they share with the Church every week, Pam and Shelly tell us, “It’s simple. Our approach each time we perform is that we come with a positive attitude, we create a “team effort” and an “intention to serve”, and we set aside our egos”. “Thank you Shiva!”

"Om Namah Shivaya"