Dawud Wharnsby-Ali: (Program Host)

The host of A New Life in a New Land is Dawud Wharnsby-Ali a third generation Canadian with Scottish and British roots. Dawud (David) Wharnsby-Ali was born and raised in Southern, Ontario. Hints that his creative side was stronger than his will to apply himself academically surfaced early during Wharnsby's school years, where he spent long hours writing stories and drawing cartoons which were not part of class curriculum.

Determined not to lose his love for expression as he grew into his teens, Whansby transferred his child-hood loves of drawing and role-playing into the areas of photography and the dramatic arts. As his theater, music, and writing experience became more and more refined, interest in his own spirituality and purpose in life also intensified. A headstrong teenager, who always chose to `wing it' on high school exams, Wharnsby became increasingly focused on personal studies of diverse scriptures and holy books. At 18, following his shaky graduation from High School, Wharnsby's true personal quest for education, direction and artistic freedom began.

Independently minded and somewhat introverted, Wharnsby spent extended nights writing, listening to music, and absorbing books of Hindu, Buddhist and Taoist literature. Gradually his spiritual identity developed and matured alongside his craft of composing poetry and song. Within a year, Wharnsby taught himself to play a variety of musical instruments and blended his introspective lyrics with his simple yet distinctive voice. He soon began to network with other young Canadian musicians and songwriters, performing at intimate clubs, coffeehouses, universities, and folk festivals.

In 1991 Wharnsby began to devote himself to a diverse array of activities, working as a puppeteer and children's educator, a traveling troubadour and a personal health care assistant for the physically disabled. His zeal for travel and exploration often found him spontaneously taking extended hikes, walking for days, weeks and sometimes months through parts of Canada, the U.S. and the United Kingdom. Fascinated with birth, death, faith, the occult and his Celtic roots, Wharnsby's songs and writings became a reflection of his continued interest in eastern philosophy and spirituality.