Nancy Beckman began studying the shakuhachi (Japanese bamboo flute) at Meianji Zen temple in Kyoto where she learned the traditional solo Zen Buddhist repertoire and received her license to teach. She studied shakuhachi and ethnomusicology at Wesleyan University and later used photography, shakuhachi, and Japanese language in site-specific performance art pieces. Currently based in Berkeley, California, she teaches the solo shakuhachi repertoire as a spiritual practice. She is also a Certified Music Practitioner in the Music for Healing and Transition Program. She performs with Tom Bickley in the ensembles Cardew Choir, Gusty Winds May Exist, and Dream Down Duvet (also with Viv Corringham).