In our July 2025 issue, we finally unveil a long-awaited conversation with a remarkable woman, Dominique Zuniga (Instagram: zemsway.of.earth), whose voice carries the weight of many cultures, the depth of personal transformation, and the timeless power of art.
Can you share more about your background, being of Saudi Arabian and Mexican descent but born in California? How has this cultural mix influenced your artistic journey?
My cultural mix has given me a unique outlook on life. I’ve been blessed with fewer cultural constraints and a deep curiosity to find unity in divided worlds. Artistically, I strive to embody the pulse of humanity through my songs, inviting us into an ancient world of remembrance. Nature is unbound by cultural ties—and I believe we are, too. Somewhere along the way, we lost the essence of who we truly are. Nature invites us into a timeless state of presence. I believe we each carry unique worlds within us—beyond our backgrounds—that connect us to creation, as naturally as the sea breathes life into the shore.
You’ve mentioned that your upbringing wasn’t easy, but it shaped the life you lead today. How has that journey informed your artistic vision and message?
Although my childhood wasn’t easy, I’m deeply grateful for the hardships that built my resilience. My struggles gave me purpose. Every act of violence gave birth to my voice. Every time I survived abuse, it became fuel to empower and connect with women who were also suffering. I became intimate with my pain—and, through it, with my purpose. I knew too well what it meant not to have a voice, so I chose to empower mine for those who couldn’t. I decided to take radical responsibility—as if everything happened for me, not to me. Pain is inevitable, but what we choose to do with it is up to us. Art has always been my safe space to express the mystery of being alive.
You began your career as a fine art model. How did you transition into music?
Music has always been a passion, but for years I treated it as a side hobby. I didn’t dare call myself a musician. I’ve been creating music for 15 years, though the first five were purely experimental. My voice was undeveloped. That changed when a photographer—also an opera director—saw something in me I hadn’t. He invited me to train and join an opera. That moment changed the course of my life.
Tell us about the pivotal moment you were invited to join the Native American Opera “Kokopelli.” How did it shape your musical path?
I received an email from Michael Sarda—who sadly just passed away last week. I’m still very emotional about it. He was a true artist and visionary, with a youthful spirit in an older man’s body. He saw potential in people others couldn’t. Singing alongside legends like Isola Jones, and being the youngest in the production, gave me permission to dream big. It was like a kiss from the universe reminding me that anything is possible. I was 19. From then on, I called myself a singer and began traveling the world to study music. That essence lives on in my latest album “Ikalgi”, available on all platforms.
You’ve traveled extensively to study culture, world music, and spirituality. What are the top lessons from your journeys?
It feels like a lifetime of lessons, but here are three that stay with me:
- Life is magic—and so are you. You can have anything you desire. Faith is your highest currency. Keep your heart open and trust the mystery. The path reveals itself as you walk.
- There is a higher intelligence at play. It’s not about what you do, but how you do it. Even choosing to drink tea with presence could lead you to your next big shift. Pour with intention.
- Surrender is your superpower. Give yourself fully to life, and it will meet you. Dance with your shadow as much as your light. Power comes in embracing the unknown.
Your time in India with “Baba Baul” and a yoga teacher sounds transformative. How did this impact your worldview?
Traveling through India with my Baba Baul, Madhu Sudan, and one of the greatest loves of my life—my yoga teacher and best friend to this day—was one of my most cherished memories. That time shifted my thinking from the personal to the collective. I began thinking about legacy, life after death, and how to live in devotion. I became a human prayer wheel, forever in service to embodying my dharma.
Your retreats and concerts are described as ceremonial and transformative. What can attendees expect to experience?
Attendees can expect otherworldly music inspired by global traditions. I create deeply ambient environments to transport people to another paradigm. I want them to feel like they’ve touched a timeless, rich world inside themselves. If they cry, dance, or laugh—I feel fulfilled. My hope is that they leave with a renewed sense of emotional connection and unity with the universe.
You once said your mission is to create unimaginable worlds of magic. How do you use music to fulfill that?
Music saved my life. She became my friend, my parent, my lover. We’ve walked every path together. She gave me everything—my home, my clothes, my community. And I’ve given everything in return. My passion is driven by devotion. I genuinely don’t know any other way to live that feels like home.
What is it like to be a woman in the modern world, in your view?
I feel honored to be a woman in this time. We have access to the world at our fingertips, and more resources than ever to make an impact. I feel a sacred duty to heal the lineage before and after me. A woman’s soft power can transform entire generations. We birth life through our bodies. If those in power had wombs, maybe they’d understand how precious life truly is. We walk between worlds. Now is our time to rise, to gather, to remind each other of our beauty and strength—and to share that with the world.
Are you free? What does freedom mean to you?
I am free, but I can always be more free. Freedom is a journey of unlearning. It means release from limiting beliefs, social expectations, body image norms, and even from ourselves. True freedom is the ability to do anything—under any condition—with joy and devotion. It is the most direct connection to source.